狸谷のタヌキの焼き物たち
2009年07月31日、京都の狸谷山不動院に多数置かれているタヌキの焼き物たち。

この不動院に安置されている咜怒鬼(たぬき)不動明王の名前に「タヌキ」という音が入っているため、参拝客がタヌキを置き始めたらしい。また「タヌキ→他抜く→他を抜く」という事から、商売繁盛やスポーツで勝つという願いを込めて参拝する人々が多いとの事。

咜怒鬼(たぬき)不動明王は
「鬼を叱る」といわれるほど大変険しい表情をされていることから、悪鬼・悪霊退散、あらゆる災難を取り除いてくれる

として信仰されているようです。

そこから「他を抜く」まで発展させる日本の言葉遊び。日本のそういうところ嫌いじゃないです。

参考:ほっこり京都生活


Ceramic Ornaments of Raccoon
07/31/2009, ceramic ornaments of Japanese raccoon in Tanukidanisan Fudouin-temple in Kyoto.

This temple has Ācala or Fudō-Myōō named Tanuki, which coincides with the sound of the Japanese name for raccoon. Because of that people started placing a ceramic ornament of it. Also, the sound of Tanuki can be interpreted as Ta-nuki, which can mean passing(nuki) others(ta). So many visitors pray for prosperity in their businesses and victories in their competitions.

There are a lot of plays on words in Japanese culture like this. I think it is cool!

Reference(Japanese):ほっこり京都生活
Cathedral Of Christ The Saviour In Moscow, Russia

So here is one more view of the Cathedral of Christ the Saviour in Moscow, Russia. I think, here you can assess the impressive size of the building. It is 105 meters (344 ft) high.
Initially it was built in XIX century to commemorate the Russian victory over Napoleon army, and it was blasted out in december 1931. It took more than a year to take the debris away from the site. The cathedral was rebuilded in 1994-2000.
TA7.12 / NEW PHOTO REQUESTED: African teacher teaching elementary school children, smaller classroom

Choice 6 of 14

16 Oct 2011, Lomé, Togo --- Bible teaching --- Image by © Pascal Deloche/Godong/Corbis
TA7.12 / NEW PHOTO REQUESTED: African teacher teaching elementary school children, smaller classroom

Choice 3 of 14

29 Nov 2010, Bamako, Mali --- Islamic school in Bamako. --- Image by © Pascal Deloche/Godong/Corbis
Record-Eagle/Jan-Michael Stump
Will Kolstad of Conrad Schmitt Studios in New Berlin, Wisc, touches up the gilding around the main alter at the chapel in the Carmelite Monastery Friday, where a nearly year-long renovation project is nearing completion.
Record-Eagle/Jan-Michael Stump
Greg Galla of Grand Traverse Construction gathers extra wood trim in the chapel in the Carmelite Monastery Friday, where a nearly year-long renovation project is nearing completion.
The cross- symbol of God's love to people
Cathedral Of Christ The Saviour In Moscow, Russia

So here is one more view of the Cathedral of Christ the Saviour in Moscow, Russia. I think, here you can assess the impressive size of the building. It is 105 meters (344 ft) high.
Initially it was built in XIX century to commemorate the Russian victory over Napoleon army, and it was blasted out in december 1931. It took more than a year to take the debris away from the site. The cathedral was rebuilded in 1994-2000.
Cathedral Of Christ The Saviour In Moscow, Russia

So here is one more view of the Cathedral of Christ the Saviour in Moscow, Russia. I think, here you can assess the impressive size of the building. It is 105 meters (344 ft) high.
Initially it was built in XIX century to commemorate the Russian victory over Napoleon army, and it was blasted out in december 1931. It took more than a year to take the debris away from the site. The cathedral was rebuilded in 1994-2000.
Cathedral Of Christ The Saviour In Moscow, Russia

So here is one more view of the Cathedral of Christ the Saviour in Moscow, Russia. I think, here you can assess the impressive size of the building. It is 105 meters (344 ft) high.
Initially it was built in XIX century to commemorate the Russian victory over Napoleon army, and it was blasted out in december 1931. It took more than a year to take the debris away from the site. The cathedral was rebuilded in 1994-2000.
See photo in original gallery.