“Shugaku-In” Retired Emporer’s Villa
Shugaku-in was originally constructed by the retired Emperor Go-Mizunoo, starting in 1655, with the initial construction completed in 1659. At every turn, a new perspective of exquisite gardens and buildings awaits.
Japan the beautiful and myself
In December 1968 Japan’s first Nobel Laureate, novelist Yasunari Kawabata, began his Nobel lecture entitled “Japan the Beautiful and Myself” with these words: “In the spring, cherry blossoms, in the summer the cuckoo.In autumn the moon, and in...
Lotus & Cicadas
The sound of cicadas singing in the trees, the beauty of the lotus flowers in a temple compound – these are such vibrant memories still alive in memory from a recent visit to Kyoto and Kamakura in the late Japanese summer. The heat and humidity is...
Sake Barrels at Shinto Shrine
A wall of Sake Barrels A great wall of colourful Saké Barrels can be seen along the path to Meiji Jingu, the main Shinto Shrine in Tokyo. The barrels are wrapped in straw and have wonderful unique graphics. However, as an article in the...
Go’o Shrine Naoshima
Go’o Shrine The Go’o Shrine 『護王神社』is an Art Project designed by photographer Hiroshi Sugimoto, erected circa 1998 on the island of Naoshima. It is a re-interpretation of a style of Shinto Shrine architecture. The name Go’o means something...