Mt. Koya/Koyasan (高野山）is the center of Shingon (真言) Buddhism, a major sect in Japan. The town on the mountain is packed with old temples and gates, but — perhaps morbidly — the most beautiful part is the graveyard situated amidst cedar trees.

Jizo Statues — D200 & Micro-Nikkor 105mm f/4 AIS

I shot mostly with the 24mm f/2 AIS this day, and have a few thoughts on the lens. The boke is not particularly good, very busy, though this is the norm for wide lenses. It can, however, look interesting at times as in these couple close-ups from it.

Frog — D200 & Nikon 24mm f/2 AIS


Inchworm — D200 & Nikon 24mm f/2 AIS

It’s also very contrasty. This can be a positive or negative depending on situation and, on this day, it made things look rather ethereal.

D200 & Nikon 24mm f/2 AIS

D200 & Nikon 24mm f/2 AIS

A little bit away from the graveyard lies the mausoleum of Tokugawa Iemitsu, Shogun and grandson of the incomparable Tokugawa Ieyasu. This is easily one of the more ornate Japanese buildings I’ve seen, though still quite subdued compared to what I’ve seen in Taiwan.

D200 & Nikon Micro-Nikkor 105mm f/4 AIS

D200 & Nikon Micro-Nikkor 105mm f/4 AIS


Tiny link: http://taii.cc/1M