Sunday, January 29, 2012

Ikenobo Ikebana



When we were in Kyoto we were given tickets to be able to attend the autumn exhibition of the Ikenobo School of Ikebana. What a wonderful experience! On a later visit to Japan we were again able to see their exhibition and on both occasions we were permitted to take photographs.

Thursday, January 26, 2012

Views from Kyoto



The top picture is of the Sanmon Gate which is the one Akira Kurosawa used as a model for his film "Rashomon" I would love to know the story behind the huge rock used as a fence with it's row of partially cut holes.

Tuesday, January 24, 2012

More from the Kyoto National Museum



This head rest, or pillow' does not look very comfortable although it is very beautiful The bran filled pillows used now are only a little more comfortable. I do not know who made the shino tea bowl but it was a real treasure.

Saturday, January 21, 2012

The Eastern Hills of Kyoto



If you are ever in Kyoto do take a walk through the Eastern Hills - easy walking and very beautiful, especially in spring and autumn. The Nanzenji Temple is magnificient and from there is the "Phyllosophy Walk" which leads to the Okazaki area and the best antique shops.

Wednesday, January 18, 2012

More from the National Museum



Two more images from the Kyoto National Museum. A mid to late Jomon pot and some tomb figures. I would have liked to have handled the pots to feel their weight and balance but that was not possible. Most were behind glass. The tomb figures were very expressive and one would look really great in my garden.

Sunday, January 15, 2012

The Heian Shrine, Kyoto



This is another very old shrine and when I took this photograph it had just celebrated its one thousandth year. It had all been recently re-furbished. The gardens were fabulous with this pond and its round stepping stones. No! That is not Estelle walking across.

Thursday, January 12, 2012

Some Very Old Pots



These two pots were photographed in the Kyoto National Museum. If you ask permission it is often possible to photograph pieces in these public collections. The top picture is of an Mid Jomon pot which would be about 5000 years ago. The lower picture is a Later Jomon piece possible made about 3000 years ago

Monday, January 9, 2012

Wonderful Wooden Construction



The size and construction methods of wooden buildings in Japan are just amazing. These photos are of Kiyomizu Dera in Kyoto - just a short walk up the hill from the Kawai Museum.

Friday, January 6, 2012

Two Pictures from The Kawai Museum



This wonderful stool was part of Kawai's collection and the small Japanese wheel looked so good against the shoji screen that I couldn't resist photographing it. When we were in Japan we wanted to buy a Japanese type potter's wheel. The salesperson at Shimpo advised us not to as the very dry atmosphere in New Zealand would cause the wood to split. We did, however, purchase an electric Shimpo wheel and de-airing pug mill and later two more Shimpo wheels. They were wonderful!

Tuesday, January 3, 2012

Wonderful Places in Kyoto



If ever you are in Kyoto make sure you visit Kanjiro Kawai's home which is now a museum. There are many wonderful artifacts and his kilns are still there to be seen. Of the many potter's places we visited this was perhaps the most interesting from an historical point of view.