Shanti Star

Old Derelict Barn

2012-02-17T14:08:00.000+09:00

Beautiful old building, sitting quietly biding it's time in the snow. I would love to live in an old Japanese wooden farm house, to renovate it, bring it back to life, and make it warm again.

The Snow Dump

2012-02-16T20:47:00.001+09:00

Where to put all that snow cleared from roads and rooves? Why, the snow dump, of course. We took four mini-truck loads to save our rickety old garage from possible collapse. Mountains of snow and trucks busy coming and going, dealing with all that frozen water obstructing the flow of the city.

Hatted Trees

2012-02-15T17:22:00.000+09:00

They looked almost comical standing so tall and strong at the window wearing their hats of snow. Like sentries at the window of our yoga class, taken on the 4th Feb, a cold blizzardy morning, I was so impressed at those who made it out of their cozy homes to come practice.

Winter's Night Walk

2012-02-14T15:00:00.000+09:00

Came across a Shrine lit up in the snow. Looked so reassuring on such a cold night.

Subtle Colours in a Winter Forest

2012-02-13T08:37:00.000+09:00

Enjoyed the pastel shade on white, and even saw a white rabbit hopping through the forest, way too fast for me to get my camera.

Time

2012-02-12T17:05:00.000+09:00

To sit down and look up.

Frolicking in the Snow

2012-02-11T16:24:00.000+09:00

Well we were supposed to be boarding, but got a bit stuck in a deep flat place, all fun anyway!

Blue Sky Mountain Top

2012-02-10T14:01:00.000+09:00

Mountain Peeking

2012-02-09T16:13:00.000+09:00

Secret Garden

2012-02-08T16:12:00.000+09:00

No one had been here, there was no path, the lake is buried under snow and the bamboo bending under the weight, such a peaceful temple garden.

The Local Temple

2012-02-07T16:11:00.000+09:00

Temple Entrance

2012-02-06T16:10:00.000+09:00

Strength of Trees

2012-02-05T13:37:00.001+09:00

How they can support such a lot of snow.

Blobs of White

2012-02-04T16:08:00.002+09:00

Never tire of looking at blobby snow balancing on wires.

Kahoku Style Snow

2012-02-03T16:07:00.000+09:00

Sure some people couldn't open their doors here this morning, the amount of snow was phenomenal.

Piles of Snow

2012-02-02T09:43:00.000+09:00

Record amount of snow fell this morning, 88cm. Most in twenty years, even though it made my day incredibly hard and long, I couldn't stop myself grinning from ear to ear at all the white fluffy stuff. So we know what the next few posts will be of. I love snow!

White Moon Mountain

2012-01-22T13:36:00.003+09:00

The mountain in the distance is Gassan, the one I climbed so much over summer, coming up out of the sea of clouds.

Layers of Clouds

2012-01-21T13:34:00.000+09:00

Near, mid and distant layers of clouds. The ones in the foreground were actually brownish, looked more like smoke, but this is from my mobile phone camera (no fancy smart phone for me yet) so didn't quite capture it.

New Stove

2012-01-20T13:31:00.000+09:00

Finally got me a new stove, been wanting this one for a while, it's cute. Small, gives out such a warm heat and the best thing about it is the endless supply of boiling water and a handle so I can move it from room to room. Old Japanese houses are not know for their warmth or insulation, but these are the best, and because it's Japan, it automatically switches off if it gets jolted, earthquake safe.

Face-masked Kindergarten Class

2012-01-19T15:31:00.005+09:00

It was quite a sight, and one exclusive perhaps to japan and their love of face masks. This whole class display was due to an influenza outbreak, it's a high risk job ; ) Not to mention weird teaching a load of kids whose mouths you can't see.

Driving to a Hot Spring

2012-01-14T15:30:00.003+09:00

For an evening dip to warm the blood on this cold day.

Full Moon Viewing

2012-01-09T15:29:00.002+09:00

Viewing the moon while busily driving around the city wishing I were walking aimlessly.

Baby Ice Teeth

2012-01-07T15:28:00.002+09:00

The beginnings of some icicles that grew and grew and glistened in the sun.

Miksang

2012-01-04T10:33:00.002+09:00

Made a new discovery, new in that i didn't know what i think i've been trying to do all along exists as a photographic school, that of contemplative photography. Lovely way to start the year. Found out about it from a magazine sent by a friend who never fails to inspire, how happy.

Walking in Winter

2012-01-03T10:31:00.002+09:00

Just love the pastel coloured skies that come with winter, so subtle.

Bit of Boarding

2012-01-02T10:29:00.002+09:00

At beautiful Mt. Zao, I feel so lucky to have this right on my doorstep.

A Little Tipple

2012-01-01T19:02:00.002+09:00

To start the year. Locally made Japanese sake, very nice indeed.

New Year Fire

2011-12-31T19:01:00.002+09:00

At the local shrine to welcome in 2012.

Rural Yamagata

2011-12-29T19:00:00.002+09:00

After the Funeral

2011-12-28T14:39:00.004+09:00

Getting ready for the end of the year.

Goodbye Hidekazu

2011-12-25T22:11:00.002+09:00

A good friend passed away on the new moon christmas morning, what more to say.

This is it

2011-12-19T22:10:00.004+09:00

Rural Shrine Entrance

2011-12-16T22:07:00.002+09:00

Felt like another Country

2011-12-15T22:05:00.002+09:00

As I drove past this building in rural northern Japan, it felt more like being in India, for a split second.

Nice day for a Funeral

2011-12-02T22:04:00.003+09:00

Chrysanthemums for Eating

2011-11-04T18:17:00.004+09:00

Very good they are too.

Zao Dam

2011-11-03T18:18:00.002+09:00

Nice cycle and an even nicer walk around the dam, beautiful.

Yamagata in Full Autumnal Glory

2011-11-02T18:17:00.002+09:00

Sake Tasting

2011-10-30T18:14:00.002+09:00

Very interesting indeed, I never realised quite what a process Japanese sake is, or how special it is. This area, Yamagata, has some pretty nice stuff due to the tastey rice and pure water here.

Nap up a Mountain

2011-10-28T18:12:00.002+09:00

Napping in the autumn sunshine, why do I always seem to be a month behind with my posts.

Colourful Caterpillar

2011-10-13T23:55:00.002+09:00

Hiking

2011-10-12T23:54:00.002+09:00

Breathing, thinking, enjoying weather.

Walking UP

2011-10-11T23:53:00.001+09:00

Into the clouds.

Yudono-san

2011-10-10T23:53:00.001+09:00

The giant tori gate leading to Yudono-san shrine nestled deep in the mountains.

Perky lil' Snail

2011-10-09T23:50:00.001+09:00

Imoni

2011-10-08T21:07:00.001+09:00

Nothing like a steaming bowl of taro potato, leek and mushrooms after a hike.

Tori at the Top

2011-10-01T21:06:00.001+09:00

Mt. Gassan.

Get on Your Bike

2011-09-30T22:22:00.001+09:00

Can't resist re-posting this. Found this floating around in cyber-space. An artist is spraying this around New York city Never a truer word spoken..

top of moon mountain 月山頂上

2011-09-25T20:08:00.000+09:00

1984 metres high, tallest of the three holy mountains in this area

while walking up..

2011-09-18T00:02:00.000+09:00

mt gassan. one of the three holy mountains in this area of yamagata used to be called dewa. home of the mountain ascetics who still train in these mountains...

moon mountain.. 月山

2011-09-17T23:54:00.000+09:00

view from the walk up....beautiful...mountain spines

yoga..

2011-09-09T23:52:00.000+09:00

growing gourds..

2011-09-04T23:46:00.002+09:00

such curious vegetables, funny to see them hanging around on a little plot on the side of a mountain, lovely morning drive..

morning mountain yoga....

2011-08-21T22:01:00.000+09:00

memorable morning with some lovely people on the side of a dewy mountain early before it gets too hot, in the mid 30's for weeks..

mt iwate

2011-08-21T21:58:00.000+09:00

sometimes called iwate fuji...

cute construction..

2011-08-20T21:56:00.000+09:00

only in japan? i've seen elephant, monkey, frog, and now rabbit barrier supports...

aomori

2011-08-19T21:53:00.000+09:00

up north for the waves, can see where the tsunami left it's mark. not so huge, but big enough to shift concrete and bend trees..

bullet trains kissing

2011-08-18T21:51:00.001+09:00

with the slogan in support of tohoku on the side ..

top of mt zao

2011-08-15T21:44:00.000+09:00

clouds and winds had us heading back down to town..

water flowing..

2011-08-14T18:22:00.000+09:00

down the mountain..

pit stop in tokyo..

2011-08-12T18:21:00.000+09:00

Netley Abbey

2011-08-10T18:20:00.001+09:00

Another beautiful peaceful spot.

Celtic Cross

2011-08-09T18:18:00.001+09:00

I do like to loiter in graveyards. This was in Oxford, full of academics, very beautiful and quiet spot.

Dappled Fern

2011-08-08T15:37:00.001+09:00

Thatched Cottage

2011-08-07T15:36:00.002+09:00

New Forest, Hampshire, picture perfect.

Falmoth

2011-08-06T15:34:00.003+09:00

Cornwall.

Swimming in Cornwall

2011-08-05T14:03:00.003+09:00

Absolutely gorgeous,cold, or rather, refreshing, must get down there again, beautiful beautiful beautiful.

I love to ride my bicycle

2011-08-04T16:29:00.003+09:00

Around Southampton, beautiful and green.

Wandering the streets of London

2011-08-03T15:11:00.003+09:00

Arundel Castle

2011-08-02T15:10:00.003+09:00

Bristol Station

2011-08-01T15:09:00.005+09:00

Sustainability Centre

2011-07-31T14:03:00.003+09:00

Went for a look around, very quiet, relaxing, in the country, perfect picnic territory ; )

Southampton

2011-07-30T14:01:00.003+09:00

Shame some areas are vacant, the bin men were on strike so the litter was piling up.

The other half

2011-07-29T13:59:00.003+09:00

Curry in tooting, yum! feels a little bit like India here with all the shops and restauarants, love it ; )

London

2011-07-28T13:56:00.003+09:00

Regents Park area, wandering around watching how the other half live, quite differently it seems.

Tate Modern

2011-07-27T15:50:00.003+09:00

Spine over Thames

2011-07-26T15:49:00.003+09:00

St. Pauls Cathederal

2011-07-25T15:47:00.001+09:00

Lunch al fresco.

Ole London Town

2011-07-24T15:45:00.001+09:00

Bank

Home Forests

2011-07-23T17:29:00.001+09:00

sky before yoga class..

2011-07-20T10:39:00.000+09:00

most difficult headstand yet..

2011-07-19T10:37:00.000+09:00

on rocks...but felt great ; )

walking to the water fall...

2011-07-18T10:36:00.000+09:00

in the dappled shade...

2011-07-17T23:36:00.000+09:00

summer skies..

2011-07-16T23:33:00.001+09:00

driving to a water fall to cool down....

everyone doing their best....

2011-07-15T23:28:00.006+09:00

hot and humid afternoon in yamagata, it was around 38 degrees in the sun, shops blasting air con, i was cycling past this senior high school looking at the hand painted sign saying ganbaro tohoku, meaning, go tohoku! do your best! all the windows were open, i can only imagine the heat inside the school. but it this is what we can do, forgo some of our aircon comfort for the sake of saving electricity. this touched me, every one, well most people are doing what little they can in these tough days...

dramatic weather..

2011-07-11T09:13:00.000+09:00

day of sunshine, torrential downpours, rainbows, thuder, lightening, humidity through the roof, and the finale was blood red skies....what a beautiful day it was...

tranquility...

2011-07-10T09:13:00.000+09:00

west side of yamagata..

cooling off...

2011-07-08T16:24:00.002+09:00

Yamagata style, nothing better than a quick shower under a waterfall to wake you up. . . refresh and revitalise your spirits..

yoga...

2011-06-17T11:24:00.005+09:00

joyful bathing in the sun..

2011-06-11T11:20:00.000+09:00

something about these ferns always makes me smile, they look so happy face and arms up to the sun, there's some serious anthropomophism for ya..

detour..

2011-06-10T11:19:00.000+09:00

feel like i've been inside too much recently, working, studying or cooking, not enough randomness happening these days...took a detour to a waterfall, not so clear but the water is pouring through a hole in the stone....a beautiful peaceful spot...

workfully cheerfully...

2011-06-07T11:11:00.000+09:00

with a little flower power ; )

Pink Sunset

2011-06-05T11:09:00.002+09:00

water filled fields..

2011-05-22T17:35:00.000+09:00

morning hot spring..

2011-05-19T20:31:00.000+09:00

up the mountain and far away...

View before class..

2011-05-18T20:29:00.000+09:00

from a car park in tendo city, mount gassan in the distance, pink skies, a few seconds of beauty..

Earthquake repercussions...

2011-05-17T20:25:00.000+09:00

One of my favourite shops closing due to many of it's suppliers of organic produced being situation in the tsunami or nuclear effected areas. It was a sad last shop, the shop keeper always greets me by name, we chat, so friendly, now she is having to look for new work.... Although I heard priority for jobs is being given to those who lost everything in the disaster. Hard times for many people.

found a patch..

2011-05-15T22:31:00.000+09:00

of purple flowers, hundreds and hundreds of these dainty blossoms covering a forest floor, no bigger than the tip of my thumb..aahhhh

golden week soba

2011-05-03T20:05:00.000+09:00

delicious! buckwheat noodles and tempura, specialities here in yamagata. not a fan of raw eggs so took th teeny egg home and had a mini fried egg. . . too cute