I spent some time making some notes from the book, "Introducing Kyoto" by Herbert E. Plutschow.

On page 13 there is a photo of part of the Lotus Sutra. I try typing that phrase into a search engine and find a large number of sites on the topic. Here are the main points from surfing a few of these sites:

• there are books devoted to providing this sutra
• there are books on how to interpret the first type of books
• therefore this must be a fairly difficult book
• there is a web site that provides the complete text of the sutra

Here are a few notes on Japanese history from a Kyoto perspective:

• In 1869 the emperor left Kyoto to move to Tokyo. This marked the end of over 1000 continuous years of residence in Kyoto! However during much of this time the emperor was truly insignificant and unimportant.
• 710-784 Nara was the first "permanent capital
• 784-794 Nagaoka became the capital (Fujiwara family very powerful)
• 795-1869 KYOTO is the capital of Japan
• The Heian Shrine was built in 1895. The main building is a 1/2 (!) size replica of the original Great Hall of State. And this replica is large!
• The original Imperial Closure was due north along Senbon-dori (the major north-south artery just to the west of the Kyoto train station. At the south end were two pagodas, To-ji and Sai-ji, flanking the Rash-mon gate. Only the To-ji pagoda remains today, but it is Japan's largest pagoda. I know have a much better mental map of Kyoto in relation to the present.
• On Mt. Hiei (north-east corner) the priest Saicho founded the Tendai sect of Buddhism. The site is now known as the Enryaku-ji temple. It contains a statue of Yakushi, the Buddha of Healing - carved by Saicho. It is placed in a recess, so it is at eye level (symbolizing that the Buddha welcomes people at all levels).
• 1571 - Oda Nobunaga destroys all of the temples on Mt. Hiei.
• the Kitano shrine is dedicated to appeasing the wrathful gods, such as the god of thunder.
• 966-1027 Heian period was at its peak. During this time Lady Murasaki wrote The Tale of Genji.
• 1185 A major battle took place between the Taira and Minamoto clans. The Minamoto clan was victorious and moved the seat of power ot Kamakura (east of Kyoto)
• 1185-1333 Kamakura Era. during this period the priest Honen founded the Pure Land or Jodo sect of Buddhism. It's headquarters is the Chion-in temple. There is a statue of Honen on the grounds.

It is amazing that a brief history of the city captures so much of the history of the country! It also is very helpful to have visited many of these places. The visual imagery associated with having been at many of these sites helps bring it alive.