A quiet place in Kyoto (Shokoku-ji Temple)

Once a place designated for the training of monks, one cannot but feel overwhelmed by the grace of the Shokoku-ji Temple premises.  There’s something about walking around the inside grounds that makes you straighten your back and stand up a little taller, a little more bravely.  Although you will no longer be subject to strict and disciplined training, the temple offers a place for you to come alone and take a stroll whilst reflecting upon life at times of need.   

'Tokonoma' is traditional Japanese-style homes

The tea ceremony house is hidden away in a corner of the luscious garden, and the ‘tokonoma’ of the house is certainly one of the special features of the temple.  The ‘tokonoma’ can be found in most traditional Japanese-style homes.  It is floored with ‘tatami’ straw mats and acts as an alcove-type reception parlor for guests.

It is floored with ‘tatami’ straw mats and acts as an alcove-type reception parlor for guests.  Yet it is the structure and framework that my eyes are drawn to; the pillars and the flooring.  Yes, it’s true – you’ll probably see just the same things in every other temple teahouse, but spotting the delicate differences makes for some wonderful discoveries. 

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.

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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.