A quiet place in Kyoto (Toji-in temple)

A quiet place in Kyoto

Not too far away from the renowned Kyoto temple Ryoan-ji, lies the Toji-in temple; a temple that not many a tourist has gotten wind of yet.  There is something unique and characteristic about this particular temple.  The game of seeking out beauty in that which is different, is a fun one indeed.

The most extravagant type of picture

What could be the most extravagant type of picture you could hang in your home?

 To peer outside to the magical scenery beyond through a beautifully designed door or window-frame, is like peering at perfectly painted canvas hanging on the wall.  Although the world seen from these frames in a Kyoto temple

The pictures transform as the weather and seasons come and go, as is the natural progression of life.  Why not creating your own changing canvas in your own home?        

We’ll always battle on forward and up

Just as it is in life, so long as we all have something wonderful to look forward to no matter how difficult things get, we’ll always battle on forward and up.  And so it just wouldn’t make sense any other way, than to bathe the dance hall at the top of these stairs in the most spectacularly shining bright light possible.     

The ups and downs

What kind of staircase could help represent the joy in life’s ups and downs?

So long as there is a light to move towards, the ups and downs aren’t really all that scary.

Strong first impression

This spectacular canopy with its broad and open welcome, not only becomes a useful compact roof protecting guests from the rain above, but proves to leave all who walk through its doors with a favorably strong first impression.

Rainbow-colored collection of unglazed tiles

Just look closely and you should be able to see a rainbow-colored collection of unglazed tiles in the shape of grapes, vines, birds and dragonflies, which seamlessly blend into the design of the surface wall below.

http://www.ogasawaratei.com/en/index.html

Restaurant Ogasawara Hakushaku

Cast your eyes to the canopy above…

This Western-style building is reminiscent of a grand and elegant lady, who draws all of her guests into the southern Spanish world within.  The translucent design of the canopy must make for hard work in the cleaning department, but the charmingly unique character it adds to the building is certainly unforgettable.   

 

Feeling loved

Ah, the joy and happiness of feeling loved even if only from one person in 10,000!

To be merely ‘liked’ by everybody for me, is exactly the same as not being passionately loved by anybody.  In the line of work that I do, I am blessed to have even just one person in 10,000 to request a commissioning.  My mind is always turned to thoughts of just what kind of client would require my services – whether they come from Japan or the world beyond.  The challenge of seeking that fate-filled encounter continues onwards, in this precious life we only have one chance to enjoy.

Get right back to my roots

The University Museum, the University of Tokyo

http://www.um.u-tokyo.ac.jp/exhibition/annex.html

For me, the University of Tokyo’s University Museum is one of my favorite spaces.  A place with an array of unique items; a globe, stuffed animals and so much more – it is here that I am best able to collect my thoughts and get right back to my roots.