Tuesday 30 December 2014
Monday 29 December 2014
Sunday 28 December 2014
Saturday 27 December 2014
Friday 26 December 2014
Tuesday 23 December 2014
Thursday 18 December 2014
Tuesday 16 December 2014
Monday 15 December 2014
Driving home from Work
Through the mountains and rice field, snow makes everything even more beautiful. The mountains seem so peaceful with snow.
Saturday 6 December 2014
New Camera
Finally a manual camera, I love taking pictures in low light, and picked up a Sony M, the reviews were all terrible, but I couldn't resist the price. First walk out in the snow through the neighbourhood temple garden.
Tuesday 18 November 2014
Monday 17 November 2014
Sunday 16 November 2014
Saturday 15 November 2014
Sunday 26 October 2014
Saturday 25 October 2014
Friday 24 October 2014
Friday 17 October 2014
Hand Knitted Trousers
I am so grateful for these woolen trousers, perfect for warming up and cooling down, at the beginning and end of yoga practice. Perfect.
Wednesday 15 October 2014
Monday 13 October 2014
Friday 10 October 2014
Thursday 9 October 2014
Hijiori Lantern - 肘折ランタン
Artists spend a night in a hot spring town and make a lantern, inspired by their stay in this little time warp of a bathing town, deep in the mountains of Yamagata. This is Mise Natsunoke's.
Wednesday 8 October 2014
A Detail
Love how these appears to be peeling off a layer to reveal the gold underneath. Like meditating. Sitting still for long enough to feel the gold.
Tuesday 7 October 2014
Mise Natsunosuke
First stumbled upon his work at an exhibition in Tokyo - was very difficult to tear myself away from the paintings, fascinated and totally absorbed. That was about nine years ago, now he is a professor in the art university here in town, I haven't seen his work for nine years - just wonderful. Love this. Look at the shadows on the far left of these panels, they were made by hanging a large intricately designed cut out work, creating another layer, an ethereal element, a movement in the work. Sublime. The exhibition feels like a journey, internal and careening with moments of peace.
Tuesday 30 September 2014
Monday 29 September 2014
Another of Yamagata's Waterfalls
We walked about two hours, and this was what greeted us near the end. The map showed a waterfall, but we didn't expect this!
Sunday 28 September 2014
Saturday 27 September 2014
Friday 26 September 2014
月山 - Moon Mountain
Mt Gassan is one of the three holy mountains that make up the Dewa SanZan. A sacred training ground for the Mountain Ascetics, who've been in these parts a long long time.
Thursday 25 September 2014
Autumn Hiking
One of my all time favourite mountains to climb. Mt. Gassan. It was in particularly splendid form on this day!
Tuesday 23 September 2014
Monday 15 September 2014
Community Spirit
In Japan the whole neighbourhood gets together for the local Shrine's festival of taking the Kami-sama out and around. This is one of the side events, children put their heads in the Dragon's mouth for good luck.
Monday 8 September 2014
Sunday 7 September 2014
Zao Okama Crater Lake
Isn't this gorgeous! Actually had a little dip in it, probably not a good idea as it is a dormant volcano, verging on active apparently. As we trod in gas bubbles were bobbing up to the surface. After a deep breathing exercise the next day I could still taste the sulfur. Won't do it again, but had wanted to for so long, I can finally cross it off my list.
Saturday 6 September 2014
Traditional Japanese Food
Green beans dressed in a black sesame dressing, a touch of vinegar, sugar and soy. So so so delicious!
Sunday 31 August 2014
Thursday 21 August 2014
Wednesday 20 August 2014
Fudo Taki 不動滝
Another exploratory walk rewarded with a fine fall. Noticed a strange looking rock in an alcove, went over, turned it up and found it was a Fudo-San statue, righted him, and put him back in his proper place watching over the fall. You can see him centre, left. Felt I'd done a good deed for the day.
Fudo is a Buddhist deity, original Sanskrit name is Acala. He is said to convert anger into compassion and to cut the ties of negative feelings and demons to liberate us from suffering through self-control. There are many waterfalls named after him, as sitting under the icy water is said to purify your soul of desire and attachment, not to mention a modicum of self-control!
Fudo is a Buddhist deity, original Sanskrit name is Acala. He is said to convert anger into compassion and to cut the ties of negative feelings and demons to liberate us from suffering through self-control. There are many waterfalls named after him, as sitting under the icy water is said to purify your soul of desire and attachment, not to mention a modicum of self-control!
Tuesday 19 August 2014
Monday 18 August 2014
Sunday 17 August 2014
Kannon Fall 観音滝
OK, so I've been on a bit of a water fall discovery mission. This one we had to skip under a rope, and proceed rather cautiously to get to it. But I could hear it and had to get a look. It was worth it, 25 metres high and the pool at the bottom was the most beautiful turquoise colour. Must get back here for a dip one hot summers day.
Saturday 16 August 2014
Tamasudare - Bead Curtain Fall
Friday 15 August 2014
Hidden Fall
Was really really happy to find this beautiful little, secluded waterfall, after a steady 2 hour walk. The rock formations were stunning, felt like quite a discovery, as it isn't on the map. The path not very worn, seems to be a training ground for the local Yamabushi (Mountain Ascetics).
Thursday 14 August 2014
Wednesday 13 August 2014
Tuesday 12 August 2014
Flight Delayed in Qatar
This is how it was, the most amazing emerald green sea in Doha. My delayed flight, was a pleasant excursion. Actually, I'm glad I got a to spend some time there.
Monday 11 August 2014
Southampton Art Uni Graduate's Illustration
She is a bit of a heroine for me, so seeing her picture in a window display as I cycled past was just great. Very cool Victorian Adventuress!
Sunday 10 August 2014
Saturday 9 August 2014
Thursday 7 August 2014
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