Blog

2018年4月25日

Peonies at Kennin-ji Temple

Within the Gion (祇園) district, one of the Hanamachi (花街, districts where Maiko and Geiko reside and work) in Kyoto, there is Kennin-ji (建仁寺) temple, very famous for Fujin Raijin zu Byobu (風神雷神図屏風, a folding screen of Wind God and Thunder God) by Sotatsu TAWARAYA (俵屋宗達), as well as for being the first Zen-sect temple ・・・

2018年4月25日

Wisteria Flowers in Sagano

From the old times of the Heian (平安) period, the Sagano (嵯峨野) district has been famous for its scenic beauty. The emperors and noblemen at the time often visited this land to compose Tanka (短歌) poems, admire the moon, and exchange good times of drinking. Still today, its beauty hasn’t changed and I love to ・・・

2018年4月24日

Kataage, Tucks at Shoulders for Child Kimono

Children in Kimono are so cute, aren’t they? Since children grow up very quickly, child Kimono are usually made bigger than the average size, and an arrangement called Kataage (肩揚げ, making tucks at the shoulder to arrange the length) are made. Likewise, the sleeves are designed longer and sewn so as not to touch the ・・・

2018年4月22日

Musubi, Tying Techniques

Musubi (結び, knots) techniques are deeply connected with many Japanese traditions, such as knots for Obi (帯) belts for Kimono, decorative knots for Kimono accessories like Obiage/Obijime (帯揚げ/帯締め), Furoshiki (風呂敷, Japanese wrapping cloth) ties, Mizuhiki (水引) ties for Syugibukuro (祝儀袋, special envelope for monetary gifts). Apart from Kimono fashion, the closing statements of speeches are ・・・

2018年4月21日

Azaleas at Saimyoji Temple

If you ask me about the best spots to view autumn foliage, I would name: Jingoji (神護寺) temple at the Takao (高雄) district, Kosanji (高山寺) temple at Toganowo (栂尾), and Saimyoji (西明寺) temple at Makinowo (槇尾). These three spots are collectively called as Sanbi (三尾), and also famous for greenery. The picture below shows the ・・・