Search｜Photos & Images & Videos｜KYODO NEWS IMAGES INC

Buddhist monks seek donations

Buddhist monks from the Koyasan Shingon Sect visit a retail shop in Koya in Wakayama Prefecture, western Japan, on Jan. 24, 2025, for an annual event to seek donations.

E

Buddhist monks seek donations

Buddhist monks from the Koyasan Shingon Sect gather at their temple before visiting houses in Koya in Wakayama Prefecture, western Japan, on Jan. 24, 2025, for an annual event to seek donations.

E

Buddhist monks seek social welfare donations

Buddhist monks from the Koyasan Shingon Sect gather at their temple before visiting houses in Koya in Wakayama Prefecture, western Japan, on Jan. 26, 2024, for an annual event to seek donations. The approximately 1.14 million yen in donations collected will be used for social welfare purposes, including helping those affected by a powerful earthquake in central Japan on Jan. 1.

E

Buddhist monks seek social welfare donations

Buddhist monks from the Koyasan Shingon Sect visit houses in Koya in Wakayama Prefecture, western Japan, on Jan. 26, 2024, during an annual event to seek donations. The approximately 1.14 million yen in donations collected will be used for social welfare purposes, including helping those affected by a powerful earthquake in central Japan on Jan. 1.

E

Quality dried persimmons for New Year

HASHIMOTO, Japan - Choicest dried persimmons on skewers named "hyakujyu," meaning centenarian, for New Year ornaments are encased in Japanese cypress boxes at Kongobuji, the head temple of Koyasan Shingon Buddhism, in the Wakayama prefectural town of Koya, western Japan, on Dec. 15, 2014.

E

Vetro Montagna classic car festival starts in Mt. Koya

HASHIMOTO, Japan - Various types of classic cars are parked at the exhibition site of the Vetro Montagna Koyasan classic car festival on Nov. 8, 2014, at Mt. Koya in Wakayama Prefecture, western Japan.

E

National World Heritage tourism summit held in Japan

HASHIMOTO, Japan - Michiyo Kubo, a World Heritage site researcher, gives a lecture at a "summit" on national World Heritage tourism on Sept. 29, 2014, at Koyasan University in Koya, Wakayama Prefecture. Mt. Koya in the western Japan prefecture was registered on UNESCO's World Heritage list in 2004.

E

Japan monks perform 'Shomyo' Buddhist chant in Shanghai

SHANGHAI, China - A group of some 20 young Japanese monks of Koyasan, a monastic center founded by the priest Kukai in Wakayama Prefecture, western Japan, perform a traditional "Shomyo" Buddhist chant in Shanghai, China, on Sept. 9, 2014.

E

4 girls chosen for Aoba Festa in western Japan

HASHIMOTO, Japan - Four girls selected for the Aoba Festival pose for photos in the town of Koya, Wakayama Prefecture, western Japan, with local mascot character "Koyakun" on May 19. The June 15 festival celebrates the birth of Kobo Daishi, the founder of Shingon Buddhism and Kongobuji, the head temple of Koyasan Shingon Buddhism.

E

Koyasan temple celebrates 515th master priest

HASHIMOTO, Japan - Kongobuji, the head temple of Koyasan Shingon Buddhism in Wakayama Prefecture, western Japan, celebrates the inauguration of the 515th master priest, Hosokawa Koyu (L), in a traditional ritual on March 12, 2014.

E

Buddhism cafe in Tokyo

TOKYO, Japan - Participants in a pre-opening event for a Buddhist cafe called "Koyasan Cafe" try mediation in the style of the Shingon sect of Buddhism in Tokyo's Chiyoda Ward on Aug. 20, 2013. The cafe, which will open Aug. 30 until Sept. 8 near JR Tokyo Station, will let visitors talk with Buddhist monks from Mt. Koya in Wakayama Prefecture and experience mediation and "shakyo" sutra transcription.

E

Buddhism cafe in Tokyo

TOKYO, Japan - Participants in a pre-opening event for a Buddhist cafe called "Koyasan Cafe" sit in a circle with Buddhist monks in Tokyo's Chiyoda Ward on Aug. 20, 2013. The cafe, which will open Aug. 30 until Sept. 8 near JR Tokyo Station, will let visitors talk with Buddhist monks from Mt. Koya in Wakayama Prefecture and experience mediation and "shakyo" sutra transcription.

E

Monks in snow

HASHIMOTO, Japan - Mendicant monks chant a Buddhist sutra in the Koyasan area, regarded as part of the sacred sites and pilgrimage routes in the Kii mountain range, in Wakayama Prefecture on Jan. 25, 2011.

E

People purify themselves by bathing in cold water at Koyasan

HASHIMOTO, Japan - Followers of the Koyasan Shingon sect of Buddhism in the Koyasan area in the western Japan prefecture of Wakayama bath in cold water to purify themselves at the Okunoin inner sanctuary of the Kongobuji temple on Jan. 24, 2010. The wintertime dip is carried out for religious training purposes.

E

Snow-covered temple in Japan's Koyasan

HASHIMOTO, Japan - A couple walk past a snow-covered temple in the Buddhist complex of Danjogaran in the Koyasan area of Wakayama Prefecture, western Japan, on Dec. 16, 2009. The area was covered with snow for the first time this winter.

E

Argentine dancers visit Japan's Buddhism spot

HASHIMOTO, Japan - Members of the Argentine dance company Udaondo walk through a complex of Buddhist buildings in Danjogaran in the Koyasan area in the western Japan prefecture of Wakayama on Nov. 22, 2009. The dancers, aged between 15 and 24, visited Japan for a series of performances in the Kinki district.

E

Monks pray for peace in 2003

HASHIMOTO, Japan - Monks pray for peace and security in 2003 at Kongobuji Temple, headquarters of the Buddhist Koyasan-Shingon sect, in Wakayama Prefecture on Dec. 10. The monks remove dust from sutras by opening and closing them like accordions.

E

Japanese monks to perform Buddhist music in Poland

HASHIMOTO, Japan - A group of young monks living on Mt. Koya in Wakayama Prefecture, western Japan, will give a series of performances of Buddhist music with actress Mari Natsuki in Poland beginning later this month. The Koyasan Shomyo-no-kai (Mt. Koya chanting troupe) members (file photo) will sing six songs with Natsuki performing a solo act during their Polish tour, which will include performances in the capital Warsaw on Oct. 28 and 29 and Kielce on Oct. 31.

E

Autumn leaves on Mt. Koyasan

KOYA, Japan - Visitors walk around the Buddhist monastery at the summit of Mt. Koyasan on Nov. 8 in the western Japan prefecture of Wakayama, where the leaves have already turned red and yellow. It is the best time for visitors to enjoy the autumn colors.

E

Classic car festival in Japan

KOYA, Japan - Some 60 cars show up Nov. 6 in the eighth ''Vetro Montagna Koyasan'' classic car festival, held at Kongobuji temple on Mt. Koya in Wakayama Prefecture, western Japan.

E

Winter ascetic practices begin at Buddhist temple

Midwinter ascetic practices begin Jan. 24 at the Okunoin precinct of the Koyasan Buddhist monastic complex in Wakayama Prefecture, western Japan. The photo shows believers who joined the training in snowy weather, chanting sutra in cold river water for 10 minutes to purify themselves from their earthly desires. The seasonal practices will last until early February.

E

100,000 candles lit to honor spirits of ancestors

Some 20,000 people gather and light candles at a temple in Koyasan, Wakayama Prefecture, Aug. 13 to honor the spirits of ancestors. The ritual, called ''bon'' festival, is traditionally observed in mid-August in Japan. Some 100,000 candles were lit along a two-kilometer path leading to the grave of Kukai, or Kobo Daishi, a Buddhist priest of the early Heian period (794-1185).

E

Monks pray for peace in 2003

HASHIMOTO, Japan - Monks pray for peace and security in 2003 at Kongobuji Temple, headquarters of the Buddhist Koyasan-Shingon sect, in Wakayama Prefecture on Dec. 10. The monks remove dust from sutras by opening and closing them like accordions. (Kyodo)

E

Classic cars assemble for annual festival in western Japan

Classic cars assemble for the Vetro Montagna Koyasan festival in Koya, Wakayama Prefecture, on Nov. 7, 2015. About 70 classic cars gathered for the annual event in the western Japanese town located in the center of the Koyasan mountain range dotted with more than 100 Buddhist temples. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

E

Actor joins classic car festival with his Jaguar in western Japan

Actor Yosuke Natsuki stands in front of his Jaguar SS100 at the Vetro Montagna Koyasan classic car festival in Koya, Wakayama Prefecture, on Nov. 7, 2015. About 70 classic cars assembled for the annual event in the western Japanese town located in the center of the Koyasan mountain range dotted with more than 100 Buddhist temples. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

E

West Japan temple opens famed founder Kukai's statue to public

Visitors offer prayers in front of a statue of Buddhist monk Kukai enshrined at Kongobuji, the head temple of the Koyasan Shingon sect of Buddhism, in Koya, Wakayama Prefecture, western Japan, on its public opening day of Oct. 1, 2015. Kukai, posthumously known as Kobo Daishi and founder of the sect, also established the temple in the Koyasan mountain range, a UNESCO World Heritage site. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

E

West Japan temple opens famed founder Kukai's statue to public

A statue of Buddhist monk Kukai is opened to the public on Oct. 1, 2015, for a month-long run at Kongobuji, the head temple of the Koyasan Shingon sect of Buddhism, in Koya, Wakayama Prefecture, western Japan. Kukai, posthumously known as Kobo Daishi and founder of the sect, also established the temple in the Koyasan mountain range, a UNESCO World Heritage site. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

E

Western Japan museum to exhibit cultural assets from temples

A statue of Mahamayuri, a Buddhist deity depicted riding a peacock, as seen on July 9, 2015, is among about 60 important cultural assets being exhibited at the Koyasan Reihokan Museum in Koya, Wakayama Prefecture, western Japan, from July 11 through Sept. 27. The exhibits are from temples in the Koyasan range of mountains, viewed as the center of the Shingon (true word) school of Buddhism. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

E

Copy of "Ryokai Mandara" dedicated to Kongobuji

Kongobuji, the head temple of Koyasan Shingon Sect of Buddhism in Koya Town, Wakayama Prefecture, western Japan, displays a copy of the "Ryokai Mandara" on July 3, 2015. The copy of the important national cultural property, made by Toppan Printing Co. using the latest digital technology, was dedicated to the temple the same day. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

E

Copy of "Ryokai Mandara" dedicated to Kongobuji

A copy of the "Ryokai Mandara," an important national cultural property, hangs at the main temple hall of the Danjo Garan, the central area of Mt. Koya where major Buddhist services are held, at Kongobuji, the head temple of the Koyasan Shingon Sect of Buddhism in Koya Town, Wakayama Prefecture, on July 3, 2015. The copy, made by Toppan Printing Co. using the latest digital technology, was dedicated to the temple the same day. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

E

Buddhist practitioners' school on Mt. Koya

New green leaves in a garden are seen reflected on a polished floor at Koyasan Senshugakuin, a Buddhist practitioners' school on Mt. Koya in western Japan on May 6, 2015. This year marks the 1,200th anniversary of the establishment of a monastery on the mountain by Kukai, the founder of the Shingon school of Buddhism. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

E

Buddhist practitioners' school on Mt. Koya

Photo taken after sunset on April 27, 2015, shows Koyasan Senshugakuin, a Buddhist practitioners' school on Mt. Koya in western Japan. This year marks the 1,200th anniversary of the establishment of a monastery on the mountain by Kukai, the founder of the Shingon school of Buddhism. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

E

Buddhist practitioners' school on Mt. Koya

A student of Koyasan Senshugakuin, a Buddhist practitioners' school, arranges flowers in a flower arrangement class at the Buddhist practitioners' school on Mt. Koya, western Japan, on April 23, 2015. In addition to flower arrangement, Japanese tea ceremony and calligraphy are also included in the curriculum to deepen one's cultural understanding. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

E

Buddhist practitioners' school on Mt. Koya

Students of Koyasan Senshugakuin, undergoing yearlong training and group living to become a Shingon Buddhist monk, walk in front of the Kompon Daito pagoda on Mt. Koya in western Japan on May 7, 2015. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

E

Buddhist practitioners' school on Mt. Koya

A student of Koyasan Senshugakuin, a Buddhist practitioners' school, reads a book of a Buddhist sutra on May 11, 2015, on Mt. Koya in western Japan. This year marks the 1,200th anniversary of the establishment of a monastery on the mountain by Kukai, the founder of the Shingon school of Buddhism. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

E

Buddhist practitioners' school on Mt. Koya

Students of Koyasan Senshugakuin, undergoing yearlong training and group living to become a Shingon Buddhist monk, attend a class to study sutras and Buddhism in a classroom at the Buddhist practitioners' school on Mt. Koya, western Japan, on April 28, 2015. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

E

Buddhist practitioners' school on Mt. Koya

Students of Koyasan Senshugakuin, a Buddhist practitioners' school, chat on May 18, 2015, in a room at the school's dormitory on Mt. Koya in western Japan. This year marks the 1,200th anniversary of the establishment of a monastery on the mountain by Kukai, the founder of the Shingon school of Buddhism. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

E

Video image projected onto huge pagoda at Koyasan World Heritage site

A giant video image of Buddha is projected on May 13, 2015, onto the Konpon Daito Pagoda in the Danjo Garan area, a heartland of the Shingon school of Buddhism in the Koyasan (Mt. Koya) region in Wakayama Prefecture, western Japan, which is designated as a UNESCO World Heritage site. The occasion was an illumination show using laser beams. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

E

Dance integrated with Buddhism performed at Koyasan University

A dance integrated with a Buddhist service is performed at Koyasan University in Koya Town, Wakayama Prefecture, on May 9, 2015. Koyasan or Mt. Koya is the center of the Koyasan Shingon Sect, one of the Buddhist denominations. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

E

Annual festival held at World Heritage site in Wakayama, western Japan

People in traditional costumes parade during an annual festival on April 19, 2015, at the Niutsuhime shrine, a World Heritage site in Katsuragi, Wakayama Prefecture, western Japan, at the foot of Mt. Koya, the headquarters of the Koyasan Shingon sect of Japanese Buddhism. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

E

Minamisanriku drum group dedicates performance at Mt. Koya

A Japanese drum group from the 2011 tsunami-hit Minamisanriku Town, Miyagi Prefecture, performs at Danjo Garan, the central area of Mt. Koya where major Buddhist services are conducted, in Wakayama Prefecture, western Japan, on April 11, 2015. A series of events to mark the 1,200th anniversary of the founding of the Mt. Koya monastery by Kobo Daishi are being held from April 2 to May 21. Koyasan Shingon Buddhist sect has donated 11 drums to the group, which lost their drums in the disaster. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

E

Drum performance of Minamisanriku dedicated to Mt. Koya

Members of a Japanese drum group from the 2011 tsunami-hit Minamisanriku Town, Miyagi Prefecture, perform at Danjo Garan, the central area of Mt. Koya where major Buddhist services are conducted, in Wakayama Prefecture, western Japan, on April 11, 2015. A series of events to mark the 1,200th anniversary of the founding of the Mt. Koya monastery by Kobo Daishi are being held from April 2 to May 21. Koyasan Shingon Buddhist sect has donated 11 drums to the group, which lost their drums in the disaster. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

E

PM Abe visits Ekoin temple in Koyasan World Heritage area

Prime Minister Shinzo Abe (C) sits with a priest at Ekoin temple, built by legendary monk Kukai's disciple Dosho 1,200 years ago, in the Koyasan area, part of a World Heritage site in western Japan, on May 16, 2015. Abe said he will instruct government agencies to increase the number of tax-free stores in provincial cities around Japan to promote tourism. (Pool photo by Sankei Shimbun) (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

E

Quality dried persimmons for New Year

HASHIMOTO, Japan - Choicest dried persimmons on skewers named "hyakujyu," meaning centenarian, for New Year ornaments are encased in Japanese cypress boxes at Kongobuji, the head temple of Koyasan Shingon Buddhism, in the Wakayama prefectural town of Koya, western Japan, on Dec. 15, 2014. (Kyodo)

E

Vetro Montagna classic car festival starts in Mt. Koya

HASHIMOTO, Japan - Various types of classic cars are parked at the exhibition site of the Vetro Montagna Koyasan classic car festival on Nov. 8, 2014, at Mt. Koya in Wakayama Prefecture, western Japan. (Kyodo)

E

National World Heritage tourism summit held in Japan

HASHIMOTO, Japan - Michiyo Kubo, a World Heritage site researcher, gives a lecture at a "summit" on national World Heritage tourism on Sept. 29, 2014, at Koyasan University in Koya, Wakayama Prefecture. Mt. Koya in the western Japan prefecture was registered on UNESCO's World Heritage list in 2004. (Kyodo)

E

Japan monks perform 'Shomyo' Buddhist chant in Shanghai

SHANGHAI, China - A group of some 20 young Japanese monks of Koyasan, a monastic center founded by the priest Kukai in Wakayama Prefecture, western Japan, perform a traditional "Shomyo" Buddhist chant in Shanghai, China, on Sept. 9, 2014. (Kyodo)

E

Monks in snow

HASHIMOTO, Japan - Mendicant monks chant a Buddhist sutra in the Koyasan area, regarded as part of the sacred sites and pilgrimage routes in the Kii mountain range, in Wakayama Prefecture on Jan. 25, 2011. (Kyodo)

E

People purify themselves by bathing in cold water at Koyasan

HASHIMOTO, Japan - Followers of the Koyasan Shingon sect of Buddhism in the Koyasan area in the western Japan prefecture of Wakayama bath in cold water to purify themselves at the Okunoin inner sanctuary of the Kongobuji temple on Jan. 24, 2010. The wintertime dip is carried out for religious training purposes. (Kyodo)

E

Fusuma doors with drawing at western Japan temple

Fusuma sliding doors with drawing by Japanese-style painter Hiroshi Senju are dedicated to Kongobu-ji, head temple of the Koyasan Shingon sect of Buddhism, in Wakayama Prefecture, western Japan, on Oct. 16, 2020.