Monday, December 31, 2007

Shimenawa, one of New Year's decorations for houses

Shimenawa, one of New Year's decorations for houses, in Kyoto, Japan
These are Shimenawa, twisted straw rope and one of New Year's decorations for houses, as well as Shimekazari, Kadomatsu. This usually is decorated on the top of the entrance of houses to keep the evil spirit away and it originally shows the sacred place for gods and often seen in shrines.

Have a happy 2008!!

Sunday, December 30, 2007

Basin for tea ceremony, at Koto-in, Daitokuji Temple, in Kyoto

Basin for tea ceremony, at Koto-in, Daitokuji Temple, in Kyoto

Thursday, December 27, 2007

Stepping stones to a tea house, at Koto-in, Daitokuji Temple, in Kyoto

Stepping stones to a tea house, at Koto-in, Daitokuji Temple, in Kyoto

Wednesday, December 26, 2007

Noren, a cloth hang on at the entrance of a restaurant, near Daitokuji Temple, in Kyoto

Noren, a cloth hang on at the entrance of a restaurant, near Daitokuji Temple, in Kyoto

Tuesday, December 25, 2007

Typical fruits in winter

Typical fruits in winter, in Kyoto, Japan
Mikan, Japanese orange, is typical winter fruits in Japan and full of Vitamin C. A mikan in a day will keep the doctor away.

Personally today I received 20 kilo gram of mikans from one of my relatives, making mikan. The fruits, together with oyster, will keep me healthy for some time.

Monday, December 24, 2007

Paper lanterns of baby chicks at Ponto-cho, in Kyoto

Paper lanterns of baby chicks at Ponto-cho, in Kyoto

Sunday, December 23, 2007

The passing-away autumn, at Kozanji Temple, in Kyoto

The passing-away autumn, at Kozanji Temple, in Kyoto

Saturday, December 22, 2007

Happy weekend!!

Happy weekend!! Kyoto

Friday, December 21, 2007

Ladies in kimono

Ladies in kimono, at Gion, Kyoto

Thursday, December 20, 2007

The rhythm of the nature at Kedashino Nenbutsuji Temple, in Kyoto

The rhythm of the nature at Kedashino Nenbutsuji Temple, in Kyoto

Wednesday, December 19, 2007

Clay and wooden bridge at Katsura Imperial Villa, in Kyoto

Clay and wooden bridge at Katsura Imperial Villa, in Kyoto

Monday, December 17, 2007

Well-designed metal pulls on wooden sliding doors, at Katsura Imperial Villa, in Kyoto

Well-designed metal pulls on wooden sliding doors, at Katsura Imperial Villa, in Kyoto

Sunday, December 16, 2007

Wooden form for dried sweets

Wooden form for dried sweets in Kyoto
These are wooden form for making Higashi, dried Japanese sweets, made of supreme sugar called Wasanbon.

Most motifs of the sweets are flowers and leaves because we have been enjoying the change of the season and they can express sense of the season very well.

When we eat them, we also enjoy their appearance and appreciate the sense of the season, not to speak of their taste, through the sweets.

By the way, the left in the photo is motifs of chrysanthemum and the right gingko, Ichou(銀杏) in Japanese and both are at their bloom in November.

Saturday, December 15, 2007

Tatami mat in a sunny day

Tatami mat in a sunny day, in Kyoto, Japan
On a sunny day in autumn, the modest sunlight comes down onto the tatami mat, made of straw, through low and small trees planted in a south-facing garden. Such a sunny day is best to take a nap in the tatami mat after lunch. The material is not so hard as wooden flooring and not so soft as futon, a kind of Japanese mattress. So the tatami is also so kind to the bare feet and we usually without slippers, not to speak of shoes.

The tatami was originally used as a bed and people used to sleep on it directly. So that's why the mat is better material to take a short sleep.

Anyway, have a nice weekend!!

Friday, December 14, 2007

Amber, a present from the past and nature...at whisky distillery of Yamazaki in Kyoto

Amber, a present from the past and nature...at whisky distillery of Yamazaki in Kyoto
Amber is the color of the past.

Clear and colorless liquid hides out in casks and enjoy a good sleep at least for eight years at this distillery. When it wake up, the liquid totally changes in amber.

Amber is the color of the nature.

The burned surface inside cask gradually makes the colorless the amber. The color is the one of cask, wood, and earth.

The amber is full of tenderness of the earth and give us peaceful and calmness moments.

Amber is a great gift from the past and nature.

Anyway, have a nice weekend!!

Thursday, December 13, 2007

Paper lanterns

Paper lanterns in Kyoto

Wednesday, December 12, 2007

Rhythm of the stepping stones at Katsura Imperial Villa, in Kyoto

Rhythm of the stepping stones at Katsura Imperial Villa, in Kyoto

Tuesday, December 11, 2007

Ruffles in a Zen garden, at Zuiho-in, Daitokuji Temple, in Kyoto

Waves in a Zen garden, at Zuiho-in, Daitokuji Temple, in Kyoto

Monday, December 10, 2007

Mosses on the wooden roof at Kouzanji Temple, in Kyoto

Mosses on the wooden roof at Kouzanji Temple, in Kyoto

Sunday, December 09, 2007

A part of a garden at Zuiho-in, Daitokuji Temple, in Kyoto

A part of a garden at Zuiho-in, Daitokuji Temple, in Kyoto, Japan

Saturday, December 08, 2007

Another bamboo path at Adashino-nenbutsuji Temple, in Kyoto

Another bamboo path at Adashino-nenbutsuji Temple, in Kyoto

Friday, December 07, 2007

A small stone in a garden, at Gingakuji Temple, in Kyoto

A small stone in a garden, at Gingakuji Temple, in Kyoto, Japan

Thursday, December 06, 2007

A bonze on the path, at Daitokuji Temple in Kyoto

A bonze on the path, at Daitokuji Temple in Kyoto

Wednesday, December 05, 2007

The basement of pillars of a gate at Naizenji Temple, in Kyoto

The basement of pillars of a gate at Naizenji Temple, in Kyoto

Tuesday, December 04, 2007

A garden in autumn, in Koto-in of Daitokuji Temple, in Kyoto

A garden in autumn, in Koto-in of Daitokuji Temple, in Kyoto

Monday, December 03, 2007

A Japanese restaurant, Hyotei, in Kyoto

A Japanese restaurant, Hyotei, in Kyoto
This is the entrance of a Japanese traditional restaurant. At a first glance, the outlook seems very old and simple. But the restaurant is famous for its delicious dishes of Kaiseki cuisine and there would be no wonder at all if the restaurant gets two Michelin stars.

Bonus: Chrysanthemum in Kyoto, again

Chrysanthemum in Kyoto, again
Chrysanthemum in Kyoto, again
Chrysanthemum in Kyoto, again
To Princess Haiku,
Thanks for many interesting comments, though I have little time to reply....

Saturday, December 01, 2007

Theme day of December, 2007: A bridge

Theme day of December, 2007: A bridge, Sanjo-oohashi in Kyoto
This bridge is Sanjo-oohashi(三条大橋), one of the bridges connecting the centre with the eastern part of Kyoto. The bridge is historical and the starting point of Tokaido, a road connecting Kyoto with Tokyo. After the capital moved to Edo, a former name as Tokyo in Edo era(1604-1867), from Kyoto, this road became the most important road in Japan, with 53 main towns for accommodating travelers along the road. These towns are now familiar by a series of Ukiyoe paintings, Tokaido-gojusantugi, by a painter in Edo era, Hiroshige Utagawa.


Ukiyoe, Kyoto
By the way, this paintings show the same place in Edo era.

Just for informatiion, the following is a list of these 53 towns and I uploaded the Ukiyoes of these 53 towns, plus Nihonbashi in Tokyo and Sanjo-oohashi in Kyoto, at the other six posts below. Note that these picture are cited from a book, Tokaido-Gojusantsuzi Fukei Zokuga, Iwanami Shoten, 1918.

53 towns between Kyoto(Sanjo-oohashi) with Tokyo(NIhonbashi):

1.Ohtsu(大津) 2.Kusatsu(草津) 3.Ishibe(石部) 4.Minakuchi(水口) 5.Tsuchiyama(土山) 6.Sakashita(坂下) 7.Seki(関) 8. Kameyama(亀山) 9.Shono(庄野) 10.Ishiyakushi(石薬師) 11.Yokkaichi(四日市) 12.Kuwana(桑名) 13.Miya(宮) 14.Narumi(鳴海) 15.Chiryu(池鯉鮒) 16.Okazaki(岡崎) 17.Fujikawa(藤川) 18.Akasaka(赤坂) 19.Goyu(御油) 20.Yoshida(吉田) 21.Futagawa(二川) 22.Shirasuka(白須賀) 23.Arai(荒井) 24.Maisaka(舞阪) 25.Hamamatsu(浜松) 26.MItsuke(見附) 27.Fukuroi(袋井) 28. Kakegawa(掛川) 29.Nissaka(日坂) 30.Kanaya(金谷) 31.Shimada(島田) 32.Fujieda(藤枝) 33.Okabe(岡部) 34.Maruko(丸子) 35.Fuchu(府中) 36.Ejiri(江尻) 37.Okitsu(奥津) 38.Yui(由井) 39. Kabahara(蒲原) 40. Yoshiwara(吉原) 41.Hara(原) 42.Numazu(沼津) 43.Mishima(三島) 44.Hakone(箱根) 45.Odawara(小田原) 46.Ohiso(大磯) 47.Hiratsuka(平塚) 48.Fujisawa(藤沢) 49.Totsuka(戸塚) 50.Hodogaya(保土ヶ谷) 51.Kanagawa(神奈川) 52.Kawasaki(川崎) 53.Shinagawa(品川)

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More than 100 City Daily Photo blogs participate in this theme day. Do pay them a visit but remember that due to time difference you might not see the proper photo.

Boston (MA), USA - San Diego (CA), USA - Stayton (OR), USA - New York City (NY), USA - Portland (OR), USA - Montego Bay, Jamaica - Inverness (IL), USA - Singapore, Singapore - Stockholm, Sweden - Setúbal, Portugal - Brussels, Belgium - Phoenix (AZ), USA - Seattle (WA), USA - Hyde, UK - Manila, Philippines - Fort Lauderdale (FL), USA - London, England - Austin (TX), USA - Toulouse, France - Weston (FL), USA - Sesimbra, Portugal - Selma (AL), USA - Silver Spring (MD), USA - Saarbrücken, Germany - Cleveland (OH), USA - Crystal Lake (IL), USA - American Fork (UT), USA - Seoul, South Korea - Kyoto, Japan - Tokyo, Japan - Norwich (Norfolk), UK - North Bay (ON), Canada - Arradon, France - Paderborn, Germany - Durban, South Africa - Philadelphia (PA), USA - Cypress (TX), USA - Cottage Grove (MN), USA - Prague, Czech Republic - Portland (OR), USA - Greenville (SC), USA - Boston (MA), USA - Port Angeles (WA), USA - Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia - Wichita (Ks), USA - Saint Paul (MN), USA - Petaling Jaya (Selangor), Malaysia - Grenoble, France - New York City (NY), USA - Nottingham, UK - Hobart (Tasmania), Australia - Arlington (VA), USA - Minneapolis (MN), USA - Miami (FL), USA - Cheltenham, UK - Albuquerque (NM), USA - Saratoga Spgs. (NY), USA - Las Vegas (NV), USA - Tuzla, Bosnia and Herzegovina - Nashville (TN), USA - Toruń, Poland - New Orleans (LA), USA - Port Elizabeth, South Africa - Melbourne, Australia - Moscow, Russia - Trujillo, Peru - Château-Gontier, France - Quincy (MA), USA - Melbourne, Australia - Port Vila, Vanuatu - Joplin (MO), USA - Bellefonte (PA), USA - Brookville (OH), USA - Chateaubriant, France - Chandler (AZ), USA - Stavanger, Norway - Baziège, France - Auckland, New Zealand - Wellington, New Zealand - Ocean Township (NJ), USA - Subang Jaya (Selangor), Malaysia - Detroit (MI), USA - Riga, Latvia - Nelson, New Zealand - Budapest, Hungary - Cape Town, South Africa - Sydney, Australia - Dunedin (FL), USA - Sofia, Bulgaria - Radonvilliers, France - Turin, Italy - Montpellier, France - Kansas City (MO), USA - Minneapolis (MN), USA - Haninge, Sweden - Wailea (HI), USA - Lubbock (TX), USA - Rabaul, Papua New Guinea - Terrell (TX), USA - Mexico City, Mexico - Saint-Petersburg, Russian Federation - Budapest, Hungary - Montréal (QC), Canada - Sharon (CT), USA - Le Guilvinec, France - Jefferson City (MO), USA - Saigon, Vietnam - London, UK - Crepy-en-Valois, France - Orlando (FL), USA - Maple Ridge (BC), Canada - Paris, France - Mainz, Germany - Newcastle (NSW), Australia - Wassenaar (ZH), Netherlands - Menton, France - Monte Carlo, Monaco - Darmstadt, Germany - Naples (FL), USA - Torino, Italy - Saint Louis (MO), USA - Bogor, Indonesia - The Hague, Netherlands - Minneapolis (MN), USA - Anderson (SC), USA - Melbourne (VIC), Australia - West Sacramento (CA), USA - Christchurch, New Zealand

Bonus: Ukiyoe paintings of Tokaido Goju-santsugi(東海道五十三次) 1/6

1.Ohtsu(大津)
1.Ohtsu(大津)



2.Kusatsu(草津)
2.Kusatsu(草津)



3.Ishibe(石部)
3.Ishibe(石部)

Bonus: Ukiyoe paintings of Tokaido Goju-santsugi(東海道五十三次) 2/6

4.Minakuchi(水口)
4.Minakuchi(水口)



5.Tsuchiyama(土山)
5.Tsuchiyama(土山)



6.Sakashita(坂下)
6.Sakashita(坂下)



7.Seki(関)
7.Seki(関)



8.Kameyama(亀山)
8.Kameyama(亀山)



9.Shono(庄野)
9.Shono(庄野)



10.Ishiyakushi(石薬師)
10.Ishiyakushi(石薬師)



11.Yokkaichi(四日市)
11.Yokkaichi(四日市)



12.Kuwana(桑名)
12.Kuwana(桑名)



13.Miya(宮)
13.Miya(宮)

Bonus: Ukiyoe paintings of Tokaido Goju-santsugi(東海道五十三次) 3/6

14.Narumi(鳴海)
14.Narumi(鳴海)



15.Chiryu(池鯉鮒)
15.Chiryu(池鯉鮒)



16.Okazaki(岡崎)
16.Okazaki(岡崎)



17.Fujikawa(藤川)
17.Fujikawa(藤川)



18.Akasaka(赤坂)
18.Akasaka(赤坂)



19.Goyu(御油)
19.Goyu(御油)



20.Yoshida(吉田)
20.Yoshida(吉田)



21.Futagawa(二川)
21.Futagawa(二川)



22.Shirasuka(白須賀)
22.Shirasuka(白須賀)



23.Arai(荒井)
23.Arai(荒井)