As soon as you enter the main building, you are greeted by The Wind and Thunder Gods (風神雷神図) by Tawaraya Sōtatsu (俵屋 宗達). This marvelous piece of work was made in the 17th century on two folding screens that are covered with gold leaf.
I’m almost positive that this is not the original, but with Canon’s Tsuzuri Project doing all this fancy-shmancy stuff with all the other works it’s really hard to remember…
So, a little more south on Hanami-koji is the Kennin-ji (建仁寺) - a temple founded by Zen Master Eisai (栄西禅師) in 13th century. It’s the oldest Zen temple in Kyoto which holds some beautifully preserved paintings and well-maintained gardens.
The garden in the picture above is named Chouontei (潮音庭, Garden of the Sound of Tide). There are far better pictures of the garden out there, trust me (click here for the temple’s gallery)! This was just taken during the winter, but I think it’s still gorgeous to look at.
DATE: 20 March 2011
So walking south on Hanamikoji from Shijo Dori, the Yasaka Hall - Gion Corner (JPN Site) is a sight to be hold. The Hall is a host of various maiko dancing demonstrations and various others arts - flower arrangement, plays, and musical performances. You can see some clips on the Japanese website that’s linked above.
To our misfortune, my room-mate and I got there when it was closed which was a real bummer.
DATE: 20 March 2011
So, it’s been a little less than a year since my last photo post! Woah, time flies.
Anyways, I finally figured out the name of this road that my room-mate and I were walking on. It’s called Hanamikoji (花見小路) and it’s a really cool street to just people watch.
Heck you might even catch the present and past clashing.
DATE: 20 March 2011
It may sound strange, but I have been completely avoiding this for the longest time. Every time I see the pictures I took a year ago a deep depression enraptures me and just won’t let go (also due to other things and my recently discovered social anxieties). I still can’t move on for some reason and I would really like to just move on to a new and exciting chapter in life just like the rest of my Japan family.
So, I vow to post every last picture I have to both this Tumblr blog and my Flickr account and finish what maps I can. All I ask is that you have patience with this and that you please feel free to ask my any questions you have about the program or whatever; it would really help a me out.
Thank you very much for your patience,
Victoria
Some people walking down the street.
Rickshaw maidens. (人力車, jinrikisha)
DATE: 20 March 2011
Minamiza Kabuki Theatre across the street.
DATE: 20 March 2011
After browsing the craft fair, we hopped onto a train from the Kuzuha station and headed off to Kyoto. We eventually got off at the Gion-shijo Station and made our way to the Yasaka Jinja.
DATE: 20 March 2011
Getting some tickets.
The word “commutation” always made me think that train was going to mutate into some sort of Transformer…but that’s just me though.
DATE: 20 Marc 2011
There was a craft fair outside the mall that was set up in order to raise money for earthquake relief. My room-mate and I walked around the tables and stopped at this particular one. Since it was my last week in Japan, I was looking for souvenirs - especially some for my parents. I looked at a sake cup and thought it would be perfect for my dad. There was some kanji on the cup that I didn’t understand, so my room-mate helped me communicate with the potter. This simple inquiry lead to more questions and we struck a conversation with the man; he asked us where we came from and we expressed our admiration for Japanese culture. Upon hearing that I came from the USA, he told us that he went there for a while and learned a bit of English. He then explained to both of us how he made the pottery and the techniques he used in English.
I was extremely impressed and told him I wanted to purchase the sake cup. Seeing my interest in his pottery, offered to give me a plate as a present. To be offered something that a person has worked on himself is one of the greatest honours, and I accepted a beautiful black plate from him. As a thank you, I offered him a green tea bread that I had just purchased at the bakery inside the mall and put some more money in his donation box.
This picture always brings a smile to face and always inspires me to be more gentle in nature.
DATE: 20 March 2011
Some sort of scout troop. Not really sure what they are…
DATE: 20 March 2011
One stop away from Makino is Kuzuha Station - which is smack dab in the middle of the Kuzuha Shopping Mall (or besides it). I had only been there once previous to this occassion; that was when I went on a run with the Running Club from the Seminar House to the mall.
Kuzuha Mall is really no different from any other mall in the USA: it has it’s blend of “unique” stores, a food court, and well…a food shopping court. Maybe that part was different, but it was your typical mall.
DATE: 20 March 2011
I had been to Makino Station on a few occasions prior to that time (such as when I went the Tsuutenkaku), but it felt a lot different now that there was no large group.
This station is simple, yes; but it felt nice just to wait for the train in the open air.
DATE: 20 March 2011
