Horyu-ji Temple’s pagoda lays a strong claim to being the oldest wooden building not just in Japan, but in the world. The record shows that most of the buildings in Horyuji-Temple were burned down in 607, but by 711 the pagoda was rebuilt and has been there since. The temple was approved to be Japan’s …
How lucky I am! I happened to be in Tokyo when 100th Sogetsu Annual Exhibition is being held this year, which is scheduled from March 20 through 25 at Nihonbashi Takashimaya. The exhibition is well beyond my expectation in every aspect. The size… Over 870 Sogetsu people, including the headmaster, participated in it. The crowd… …
Are you an e-book lover? Or do you still cherish a paper book? I’m latter. And I’m glad to have learned about Chin Music Press at Japan Fair. At their booth Bruce Rutledge, the founder of Chin Music Press, showed me a couple of books that were published by them. Kaibyo (怪猫) : The Supernatural …
As I mentioned in my previous blog post, there will be bonsai demonstrations at one of the mini stages on the show floor at Japan Fair. Since I often write about tea ceremony and ikebana in this blog, let me mention about bonsai today, for a change. What does bonsai “盆栽” really mean? Bon (盆) …
This year marks the third anniversary of Japan Fair. Taking over Aki Matsuri, this two-day community event celebrates Japan’s culture with people living in the greater Seattle area. With over 20,000 visitors, it has become one of the largest events that is held at Meydenbauer Center in Bellevue. On the main stage there will be …
(If you know what the item in the photo above is, definitely continue reading!) I’m not a carpenter, but at least I know that a traditional tea room is built with no nails, and that it requires high level of woodworking skills to build it. I also hear that now it is getting harder and …
It is fluffy. It is suitable for thermal insulator or padding, used in goods such as jackets and bedding. It is not cotton, however. It is not down, either. Mawata （真綿）is formed by stretching silk cocoon. Since it is made with the same material, mawata has all the benefits that silk does: it’s warm and …
As I mentioned in my previous blog post “What What’s So Special about Cherry Blossoms,” their very short season is what has long impressed us. When I planned my trip to Japan this year, I was half hoping to see cherry blossoms but half not anticipating. Yes, cherries usually blossom around this time of the …