Augustus the Strong (1670-1733), Elector of Saxony and King of Poland, was an ambitious man who sought to surround himself in the trappings of wealth and power. Perhaps for this reason, he became an avid collector of porcelains from China and Japan, precious and rare in Europe at the end of the seventeenth century, a … Continue reading Zwinger: A Palace for Porcelains
During the late nineteenth century, when Japan was modernizing/Westernizing, many European and American were invited to Japan to advise the government and business. One such individual was Dr. Erwin von Baelz (1849-1913), a German physician who came to Japan in 1876 to teach medicine at the Imperial University (now known as the University of Tokyo). … Continue reading A German Advisor and Japan’s Hot Spring Connection to Europe
Japan has been producing silk since around the third century, raising silkworms for the raw silk threads and then weaving those threads into cloth. Although it is not now regarded as a major silk producer, even as recently as a century ago, Japan was the world’s largest producer/exporter of raw silk, exporting predominately to the … Continue reading Silken Threads Tie Japan and France
My June 2022 article for Japan Today explores the Yoshinogari archaeological site, at which some structures have been reconstructed based on the archaeological record. Truly a fascinating place. (Archived article in Japan Today)
Japanese gardens, with their strolling paths offering different views of the landscape at every turn, seems to hold a special fascination with people all over the world. Indeed there are many Japanese gardens outside of Japan, replicas to allow fans of the genre to enjoy the placid serenity of a Japanese garden even when they … Continue reading A Japanese Garden à la française: The Jardin Japonais of Toulouse
It is often said that a deep and abiding respect for nature is a fundamental part of the Japanese psyche. Yet, Japan is also well known for its attempts to bend and control nature, for example through intense shaping of the landscape for purposes of agriculture, flood control or protection from tsunami and landslides. One … Continue reading Putting Nature Into Perspective: The Photographs of Norbert Schoerner
Although it's been too many years for me to remember the story itself, I still remember the first time I saw Bunraku performed, some forty years ago. I was enchanted by the movements of the dolls and the handlers who manipulated them, not to mention the narration, the music, the costuming and the staging. Bunraku … Continue reading Bunraku: narrative stories with human dimension
This article explores some fascinating and surprising aspects of a stroll in the Akatsuka neighborhood of Tokyo's Itabashi-ku. (Archived article – Originally published by Japan Today)
I recently had the chance to learn about Nishinouchi Washi, which is a particularly durable form of handmade washi paper. I also learned about some of its particular uses, included turning into cloth for garments and making chochin paper lanterns. Read about it in this article in All About Japan.
Waterfalls are well known to release negative ions that boost the spirits of mere mortals who visit them. Japan is blessed with many waterfalls and so lots of negative ion opportunities. One unusually shaped waterfall worth seeking out is Fukiware Falls in northern Gunma Prefecture (almost halfway between Minakami and Nikko). The falls is in … Continue reading Fukiware Falls: unusual water bears the gift of negative ions
Tokyo's well maintained public parks/gardens are enjoyable year-round, yet spring and early summer finds them at their most colorful. It is currently the height of the rose season. A few years ago I wrote about a number of great places in Tokyo to enjoy early summer roses, but have recently learned of a new one … Continue reading Rambling for Roses: an early summer celebration
Looking at a map of Japan, there is a spot due east of Tokyo that juts out into the Pacific Ocean. This is the mouth of the Tone River, which, at this point, forms the boundary between Ibaraki and Chiba Prefecture's. It is, in a sense, the end of the earth. Yet it is a … Continue reading Finding Mercy at the End of the Earth: Enpukuji’s Iinuma Kannon
Jigsaw Japan 