Sunday, March 30, 2008

Some layers of tile roofs, at Toji Temple, in Kyoto

Some layers of tile roofs, at Toji Temple, in Kyoto

Saturday, March 29, 2008

Spring is surely coming part 2, in Kyoto

Spring is surely coming part 2, in Kyoto

Friday, March 28, 2008

Spring is coming, in Kyoto

Spring is coming, in Kyoto

Thursday, March 27, 2008

Tokonoma, the main alcove of tatami room for guests, at Koto-in Daitokuji Temple, in Kyoto

Tokonoma, the main alcove of tatami room for guests, at Koto-in Daitokuji Temple, in Kyoto

Wednesday, March 26, 2008

TSUBAKI, Camellia japonica, at Koto-in Daitokuji Temple, in Kyoto

TSUBAKI, Camellia japonica, at Koto-in Daitokuji Temple, in Kyoto
This flower is called Tsubaki in Japan, Camellia, very popular in Japan and often used in tea ceremony as a decoration of Tokonoma, the main alcove of tatami room for guests. But only buds are used in the ceremony, never used the opened flower. Why are buds Tsubaki preferred in the tea ceremony?

Masters of tea ceremony specially love the sense of simple-yet-elegant, which is one of important elements of the beauty senses in tea ceremony.

The beauty of tea ceremony is, in a sense, the beauty of harmony. The aesthetic of harmony is made up with the mixture of many kinds of tea tools with a set of players' graceful carriages. Each elements is totally simple and modest and should never be showy and prominent. Excessiveness would break the harmony. Full opened flowers are thought to be rather gaudy in the realm of tranquility. The bloom would break the harmony based on the sense of the tea ceremony. A choir in a small town never needs superstars such as Luciano Pararotti or Placido Domingo.

Tea ceremony is consisted of simple yet elegant ones, and creates deep and long-lasting beauty.

By the way, Tsubaki's flower language says that this flower means natural beauty, simple elegance and modest. And, Shiseido, a leading Japanese cosmetics company, has used this flower as its trademark.

Tuesday, March 25, 2008

An entrance for a restaurant, in Kyoto

An entrance for a restaurant, in Kyoto

Monday, March 24, 2008

A sign board for a restaurant, in Kyoto

A sign board for a restaurant, in Kyoto

Sunday, March 23, 2008

Papered sliding doors, Fusuma in Japanese, with paintings of Syuro and Hakka-cho, which were import from China, at Ginkakuji Temple in Kyoto

Papered sliding doors Fusuma in Japanese, with paintings of Syuro and Hakka-cho, which were import from China, at Ginkakuji Temple in Kyoto

Friday, March 21, 2008

a simple and austere room of a traditional house for welcoming guests, at Koto-in, Daitokuji Temple, in Kyoto

a simple and austere room of a traditional house for welcoming guests, at Koto-in, Daitokuji Temple, in Kyoto

Thursday, March 20, 2008

Sneak's eye, Kyoto, Japan

Sneak's eye, Kyoto, Japan
This is a tiny cup for drinking Japanese sake and the pattern inside is popular for us. When we drink it, we use this type of cup or non-pattern cup. Sake masters usually use it to check the clearance and color and the pattern seems to makes the nature more visible.

By the way, the pattern is called 'sneak's eye', Janome in Japanese, and also have a meaning to keep evil sprits away. So using this pattern is very reasonable because the Sake is thought to be very pure, sacred and religious and often used for shrine's ritual.

Wednesday, March 19, 2008

Stepping stones connecting a house for tea ceremony with the waiting space, at Zuiho-in, Daitokuji Temple, in Kyoto

Stepping stones connecting a house for tea ceremony with the waiting space, at Zuiho-in, Daitokuji Temple, in Kyoto

Tuesday, March 18, 2008

A waiting space for tea ceremony, at Kobai-in Daitokuji Temple, in Kyoto

A waiting space for tea ceremony, at Kobai-in Daitokuji Temple, in Kyoto

Monday, March 17, 2008

Some layers of tile roofs, at Horyuji Temple, in Nara

Some layers of tile roofs, at Horyuji Temple, in Nara

Sunday, March 16, 2008

A sign for a Japanese restaurant, at Ponto-Cho, in Kyoto

A sign for a Japanese restaurant, at Ponto-Cho, in Kyoto

Saturday, March 15, 2008

A path in the carpet of mosses, Kobai-in, Daitokuji Temple, in Kyoto

A path in the carpet of mosses, Kobai-in, Daitokuji Temple, in Kyoto, Japan

Wednesday, March 12, 2008

A typical street in Kyoto

A typical street in Kyoto

Tuesday, March 11, 2008

a building through the gate, Tofukuji Temple, in Kyoto

a building through the gate, Tofukuji Temple, in Kyoto

Monday, March 10, 2008

Trees in the evening

Trees in the evening, Kyoto

Sunday, March 09, 2008

Ropeworks to protect pine trees from snow

Ropeworks to protect pine trees from snow, Kyoto

Saturday, March 08, 2008

Green tea with plum-shaped sweets

Green tea with plum-shaped sweets, Kyoto, Japan

Thursday, March 06, 2008

Take me to a hair salon, at Atago Nenbutsuji Temple, in Kyoto

Take me to a hair salon, at Atago Nenbutsuji Temple, in Kyoto

Wednesday, March 05, 2008

The wall made of worn-out roof tiles, at Daitokuji Temple, in Kyoto

The wall made of worn-out roof tiles, at Daitokuji Temple, in Kyoto

Tuesday, March 04, 2008

A woman in bamboo forest in Kyoto

A woman in bamboo forest in Kyoto

Monday, March 03, 2008

A hint of spring, plum buds

A hint of spring, plum buds, Kyoto, Japan

Sunday, March 02, 2008

The approach to a building, at Koto-in, Daitokuji Temple, in Kyoto

The approach to a building, at Koto-in, Daitokuji Temple, in Kyoto

Saturday, March 01, 2008

The theme day, "Graffiti"

The theme day, Kyoto, Japan
This is not from a street, but from a book on calligraphic poet. A series of letters on the photo might look totally graffiti for most people, but very classy and elegant for the other...

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More than140 Daily Photo sites are participating in the 1st March theme, "Theme day : Graffiti", please use the links to below to visit them.

Due to time zone differences and other factors, the theme photo may not be displayed until later if you are viewing early in the day.

Adelaide, Australia by Gordon, Albuquerque (NM), USA by Helen, Aliso Viejo (CA), USA by Rodney, American Fork (UT), USA by Annie, Anderson (SC), USA by Lessie, Arradon, France by Alice, Ashton under Lyne, UK by Pennine, Athens, Greece by Debbie, Auckland, New Zealand by Lachezar, Austin (TX), USA by LB, Bandung, Indonesia by Guntur Purwanto, Baziège, France by PaB, Belgrade, Serbia by BgdPic, Bellefonte (PA), USA by Barb-n-PA, Bicheno, Australia by Greg, Boston (MA), USA by Fenix, Boston (MA), USA by Cluelessinboston, Boston (MA), USA by Sarah, Whit, & Leyre, Brighton, UK by Harvey, Bucaramanga, Colombia by Fernando, Budapest, Hungary by Zannnie and Zsolt, Budapest, Hungary by Isadora, Buenos Aires, Argentina by Karine, Canterbury, UK by Rose, Cape Town, South Africa by Kerry-Anne, Chandler (AZ), USA by Melindaduff, Chateaubriant, France by Bergson, Cheltenham, UK by Marley, Chicago (IL), USA by U R us, Chicago (IL), USA by b.c., Christchurch, New Zealand by Michelle, Clearwater (FL), USA by Smaridge01, Clearwater Beach (FL), USA by Smaridge01, Cleveland (OH), USA by iBlowfish, Cologne, Germany by April11, Coral Gables (FL), USA by Jnstropic, Detroit (MI), USA by Taittems, Dunedin (FL), USA by Smaridge01, Durban, South Africa by CrazyCow, Evry, France by Olivier, Forks (WA), USA by Corinne, Glasgow, Scotland by Jackie, Greenville (SC), USA by Denton, Grenoble, France by Bleeding Orange, Guelph, Canada by Pat, Helsinki, Finland by Kaa, Hobart, Australia by Greg, Hyde, UK by Gerald, Inverness (IL), USA by Neva, Jackson (MS), USA by Halcyon, Jefferson City (MO), USA by Chinamom2005, Joplin (MO), USA by Victoria, Juneau (AK), USA by Gwyn, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia by Edwin, Kyoto, Japan by Tadamine, Larchmont (NY), USA by Marie-Noyale, Le Guilvinec, France by ds2944, Lisbon, Portugal by Sailor Girl, Lisbon, Portugal by Jsaltao, Lodz, Poland by ritalounge, London, UK by Ham, London, UK by Mo, Mainz, Germany by JB, Maple Ridge, Canada by Susan, Mazatlan, Mexico by Kate, Melbourne, Australia by Mblamo, Melbourne, Australia by John, Memphis (TN), USA by SouthernHeart, Menton, France by Jilly, Mexico, Mexico by Poly, Mexico City, Mexico by Carraol, Minneapolis (MN), USA by Mitch, Minneapolis (MN), USA by Greg, Monte Carlo, Monaco by Jilly, Montréal, Canada by Douber, Moscow, Russia by Irina, Mumbai, India by MumbaiIteanu, Mumbai, India by Kunalbhatia, Naples (FL), USA by Isabella, Nashville (TN), USA by Chris, Nelson, New Zealand by Meg and Ben, New Orleans (LA), USA by steve buser, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK by Cassie & Chris, Niamey, Niger by Dinabee, Norwich, UK by Goddess888, Nottingham, UK by Gail's Man, Ocean Township (NJ), USA by Josy, Paris, France by Eric, Pasadena (CA), USA by Can8ianben, Pasadena (CA), USA by Petrea, Petaling Jaya, Malaysia by Murphy_jay, Pilisvörösvár, Hungary by Elise, Port Angeles (WA), USA by Jelvistar, Port Elizabeth, South Africa by Sam, Port Vila, Vanuatu by Mblamo, Prague, Czech Republic by Honza03, Quincy (MA), USA by Cluelessinboston, Radonvilliers, France by Deslilas, Riga, Latvia by Prokur, Rome, Italy by Giovanni, Rotterdam, Netherlands by Ineke, Saarbrücken, Germany by LadyDemeter, Saint Louis (MO), USA by Strangetastes, Saint Paul (MN), USA by Kate, Saint-Petersburg, Russian Federation by Lark, San Antonio (TX), USA by Kramer, San Diego (CA), USA by Felicia, San Diego (CA), USA by Zentmrs, Santa Fe (NM), USA by Randem, Seattle (WA), USA by Kim, Seattle (WA), USA by Chuck, Seguin (TX), USA by Thien, Selma (AL), USA by RamblingRound, Sesimbra, Portugal by Aldeia, Setúbal, Portugal by Maria Elisa, Sharon (CT), USA by Jenny, Silver Spring (MD), USA by John, Singapore, Singapore by Keropok, Sofia, Bulgaria by Antonia, St Francis, South Africa by Sam, Stavanger, Norway by Tanty, Stayton (OR), USA by Celine, Stockholm, Sweden by Stromsjo, Subang Jaya, Malaysia by JC, Sydney, Australia by Sally, Székesfehérvár, Hungary by Teomo, Terre Haute (IN), USA by Zann, Terrell (TX), USA by Bstexas, Terrell (TX), USA by Jim K, The Hague, Netherlands by Lezard, Tokyo, Japan by Tadamine, Torun, Poland by Torun Observer, Toulouse, France by Julia, Tuzla, Bosnia and Herzegovina by Jazzy, Twin Cities (MN), USA by Slinger, Vienna, Austria by G_mirage2, Wailea (HI), USA by Kuanyin, Wassenaar, Netherlands by Rich, Wellington, New Zealand by Jeremyb, West Paris (ME), USA by crittoria, West Sacramento (CA), USA by Barbara, Weston (FL), USA by WestonDailyPhoto, Wrocław, Poland by Loompi, Yardley (PA), USA by Mrlynn,

The photo is cited from Masu-shikishi den Fujiwarano Yukinari, Nigensha, 2002.