This article features several aspects of the Japan Sea coastal region of Kyoto Prefecture. Most tourists focus on the ancient capital city and completely miss this fascinating area. Learn more in this article. (Archived article originally published by Japan Today.)
Sitting on the west side of Kyoto, the Arashiyama area is renowned for its mountain scenery, Togetsukyo wooden bridge, vast bamboo grove, and the World Heritage-listed Tenryuji temple. It is particularly popular in the autumn, when the turning leaves render the mountains even more beautiful. To really enjoy the season, we recommend starting your day … Continue reading Arashiyama in Autumn
Japan has a well-deserved reputation for the colorful splendor of its autumn leaves. The only challenge to enjoying them is figuring out where to go to do so. The mountainsides in many areas become a riot of color that can be enjoyed by hikes on well-groomed trails. There are also the many magnificent gardens. And … Continue reading Autumn Enlightenment at Kyoto’s Chion-in temple
By special guest blogger: Oliver Trapnell In the West, many people associate stone-related art with great masculine sculptures such as Michelango’s 'David', the Renaissance, and other famous names such as da Vinci and Donatello. Whilst these sculptors focused on realism, Japan was focusing on creating abstract works using the same canvas (in fact, at the … Continue reading The Zenith of Stone
This article introduces netsuke, a decorative accessory for traditional Japanese garments that serves a very practical purpose. These little toggles have evolved into intricate art forms crafted from various materials. (Archived article - Originally published by Japan Today.)
My love of kimono is really a love of the amazing fabrics used to create the garments. Traditionally silk (though inexpensive polyester versions are also available these days), the patterns on the cloth are sometimes woven in, sometimes stamped or hand painted on, sometimes embroidered, and sometimes dyed. Some very complex designs are a combination … Continue reading A Dyeing Art: Kyoto-style Shibori
It all started in the middle of the 9th century. Summer was always the season for increased disasters: illness, floods, and devastating fires. So the emperor ordered people to offer prayers for relief at Yasaka Shrine in Kyoto's Gion district. Before long, the prayers were being offered with such regularity that the people made an … Continue reading Gion Matsuri – centuries-old purification rites (and a great summertime party)
Kyoto was the imperial capital of Japan for over a thousand years (although there are locals who say Kyoto is still the capital and the emperor is just on a business trip to Tokyo). It is this long history, and in particular, the religious and cultural sophistication that developed over the centuries, that still attracts … Continue reading Murin-an: a glimpse of fin de siècle Kyoto
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