Disclosure: Links in this article to Amazon or Amazon Japan are affiliate links. The owner of this website may earn a commission from qualifying purchases. In the movie “Lost in Translation”, the character of Charlotte (played by Scarlett Johansson) takes a day trip alone to Kyoto. As she wanders through a temple and a shrine her sense of being lost in this alien land is … [Read more...] about Kyoto: A Cultural History
Culture & Tradition
Kimono Old & New
As today is 成人の日 ("seijin no hi" or "Coming of Age Day") it seems timely to post Ian Ropke's article on the kimono. First though here is a picture of some brand new adults sporting their kimono's for the day, and one other of a lady I spotted at Ebisu shrine. Ian writes... An industry caught in time An enduring and potent symbol of traditional Japan, the kimono is … [Read more...] about Kimono Old & New
An Interview with Mara Alper
To celebrate the 400th anniversary of ties between Mexico and Japan the Kampo Museum is currently exhibiting the art and crafts of the indigenous Huichol people. Dominating the exhibition are the extraordinary peyote inspired yarn paintings of the late Huichol artist and shaman José Benitez Sanchez. On the 24th of January, Professor Mara Alper, award winning media artist and … [Read more...] about An Interview with Mara Alper
Garden Stones & Superstition
Ian Ropke writes: Stones are, believe it or not, the most important feature of a Japanese garden. If the soil is its "flesh", then the stones are its "bones". Garden stones fall into three basic categories: "named" stones, unimportant "unnamed" stones, and stones which already existed on the site. The most famous named stone in Japan is called Fujito after the … [Read more...] about Garden Stones & Superstition
Mount Hiei’s Marathon Monks
Ian Ropke writes... The world of Buddhism is full of stories of amazing human feats achieved through meditation and power of the mind. In Tibet there are especially powerful monks who travel so fast that they appear to fly; they can travel non-stop for 48 hours and cover over 320 km a day! There are also stories of diamond-like crystalline substances found amongst the ashes … [Read more...] about Mount Hiei’s Marathon Monks
