hebel. today · 7 November 202668 / 74
Beyond Familiar · Strange Places
Hundreds of stone figures at Nanzoin Temple
Mark Frauenfelder visited the Nanzoin Temple in the mountainous region of Sasaguri, Japan, where he found hundreds of small stone statues lining the hillside near the site's giant bronze reclining Buddha. These individual carvings…
From 1 newsletter · 1 min read · one thing to try
Mark Frauenfelder visited the Nanzoin Temple in the mountainous region of Sasaguri, Japan, where he found hundreds of small stone statues lining the hillside near the site's giant bronze reclining Buddha (Boing Boing). These individual carvings provide a distinct, intimate contrast to the primary monument and represent a sprawling Buddhist center located a short train ride from Hakata Station in Fukuoka.
Beneath the Church of All Saints in the Czech Republic, the Sedlec Ossuary displays human bones arranged into functional decor, including an ornate chandelier constructed entirely from skeletal remains (Boing Boing). This chapel integrates human anatomy into its architecture, creating a site that functions as both a resting place and a visual display.
Try today · 30 min
Identify a collection of at least 50 identical or similar small objects displayed in a public or religious space near you.
Look for votive offerings, memorial markers, or repetitive architectural carvings that are overshadowed by a larger nearby landmark.