Let the Images Speak

Nature’s Bounty

After the rain, the flood, the greyness, here the Sun, the flowers, and Spring is coming.

February 2026.

Water Water Water

There has been a lot of rain since 2026, too much.

**Normally the water level is high in winter, but not this high**

**For few centimeters more, water will come out of the river**

**Flooded high speed road become pedestrians walkway**

**The bridge is closed to vehicles**, of course, not boats

The highest flooded water level was in **1912: 7 meters**
**in 1995 was 6.66 meters**
**today (20th February 2026) was about 6.20 meters**

**The street next to that flooded tramway**

February 2026.

Yasaka Shrine 八坂神社

It was the one in Kyoto 京都. I went there in the evening, after spent a whole day in Himeji 姬路: https://oliteahouse.wordpress.com/2024/03/22/himeji-castle-%E5%A7%AC%E8%B7%AF%E5%9F%8E.

The Shrine construction began in 656. There are many Yasaka Shrines 八坂神社 in Japan. This one in Kyoto is the highest ranked. It is also called Gion Shrine 祇園神社, as it is in the Gion district of Kyoto.

Main gate of the **Yasaka Shrine** **八坂神社**, the gate built in 1497.
People come here to pray for the disasters be averted, home be safe and peaceful, and facilitating a happy marriage

**Maiden** 舞殿 **at Yasaka Shrine**. It hosts various festivals and wedding ceremonies, is surrounded by large lanterns donated by Gion shops.

**Epidemic Shrine 疫神社** at Yasaka Shrine, the main god “**Su Minfu 蘇民將來**” is worshiped to pray for freedom from the epidemic

**Offering Lantern 献燈**, **Epidemic Shrine 疫神社** at Yasaka Shrine

**The Chozuya 手水舍, Water Purification Basin**

**South Tower Gate 南樓門** , Yasaka Shrine’s genuine “Main Gate”

The following day, I went through the Yasaka Shrine again :

From the **Main Gate of Yasaka Shrine**, faced the **Gion distric**t

There were some food stalls inside the Shrine

In front of the **Epidemic Shrine 疫神社** at Yasaka Shrine

March 2024.

Winter Pattern

February 2026.

M	T	W	T	F	S	S
						1
2	3	4	5	6	7	8
9	10	11	12	13	14	15
16	17	18	19	20	21	22
23	24	25	26	27	28	29
30	31

White

Magnolia

Narcissus

Nature’s Bounty

Water Water Water

Yasaka Shrine 八坂神社

Winter Pattern