Peapix

  • Bing Gallery
  • Extension
Peapix
Bing Gallery
Extension
  • United Kingdom
    All
    Australia Canada China Germany France India Japan Spain United Kingdom United States Italy Brazil

Bing Gallery

Australia Canada China Germany France India Japan Spain United Kingdom United States Italy Brazil
  1. Home
  2. Bing Gallery
  3. United Kingdom
  4. 2020
  5. January 11
  6. Small rakan statues line the stone pathway to the Daisho-in Temple, Miyajima, Japan
arrow_back_ios arrow_forward_ios Small rakan statues line the stone pathway to the Daisho-in Temple, Miyajima, Japan

January 11, 2020

Small rakan statues line the stone pathway to the Daisho-in Temple, Miyajima, Japan

© Malcolm Fairman/Alam

Wrapping up warm. The woolly-hatted statues of Miyajima

The stone figures lining the steps in today's photo are among 500 rakan statues on the small island of Miyajima in Japan. The colourful knitted caps they're wearing are offerings from people visiting the island, a tradition followed in other areas of Japan as well. Some believe this gift-giving is based on a children's folk story about an elderly hatmaker who was unable to make it to market on a snowy day, so he placed his collection of hats on rakan statues to keep their bare heads dry. Later, the statues showed their appreciation by delivering gifts to the hatmaker and his wife so they could celebrate the new year properly.

The statues in this photo were individually carved sometime between the 1780s and the 1820s, and no two are alike. They line the path at the base of Mount Misen that leads to the Daisho-in Temple, one of the many temples and shrines on the island.

tree outdoor flower garden lined plant line colored

Related Images

Butchart Gardens in Brentwood Bay, British Columbia, CanadaButchart Gardens in Brentwood Bay, British Columbia, Canada
Hobbit-hole in Hobbiton Movie Set, Waikato, New ZealandHobbit-hole in Hobbiton Movie Set, Waikato, New Zealand
St Davids Cathedral, St Davids, Pembrokeshire, WalesSt Davids Cathedral, St Davids, Pembrokeshire, Wales
Tasmanian snow gum and pandani plants near Lake Dobson, Mount Field National Park, Tasmania, AustraliaTasmanian snow gum and pandani plants near Lake Dobson, Mount Field National Park, Tasmania, Australia
The World Vision Garden at The Hampton Court Palace Flower Show 2016The World Vision Garden at The Hampton Court Palace Flower Show 2016
Tulips at Emirgan Park in Istanbul, TürkiyeTulips at Emirgan Park in Istanbul, Türkiye
White trillium blooming in Ontario, CanadaWhite trillium blooming in Ontario, Canada
Cherry blossoms in Shanghai, ChinaCherry blossoms in Shanghai, China

Today on Bing

Heri es-Swani in Meknes, Morocco

Heri es-Swani in Meknes, Morocco

Jan 11, 2025
Eurasian lynx in the snow

Eurasian lynx in the snow

Jan 11, 2024
Godrevy Lighthouse, Cornwall

Godrevy Lighthouse, Cornwall

Jan 11, 2023
Porcupine hangs on a willow tree branch, Alaska, USA

Porcupine hangs on a willow tree branch, Alaska, USA

Jan 11, 2022
Aït Benhaddou, Atlas Mountains, Morocco

Aït Benhaddou, Atlas Mountains, Morocco

Jan 11, 2021
Bamburgh Castle and sand dunes after snowfall in Northumberland

Bamburgh Castle and sand dunes after snowfall in Northumberland

Jan 11, 2019

Related Tags

garden tree outdoor plant grass flower lush spring surrounded building flora sky stone bushes forest botanical garden park groundcover annual plant colorful
Share photo
Share
Pin
Tweet
Line
  • © 2025 Peapix.com
  • API
  • App
  • Privacy
The images are provided for wallpaper use only.