Saionji in Kyoto

There were three striking things about this temple in northern Kyoto. The first was the piles of stones arranged in the garden. I suppose it was a kind of dry garden (kare san sui). Another interesting thing was a number of brush brooms lying on the verandah. It was the end of autumn, yet they looked new. Perhaps the monks were making them. The final thing was the exquisite little painted statues on display behind a wooden lattice. They looked old and valuable, the sort of thing that should be hidden away and protected from bright sunshine and cameras. I was grateful for the opportunity to see them!