Ikenobo Ikebana

When we were in Kyoto we were given tickets to be able to attend the autumn exhibition of the Ikenobo School of Ikebana. What a wonderful experience! On a later visit to Japan we were again able to see their exhibition and on both occasions we were permitted to take photographs.

Views from Kyoto

The top picture is of the Sanmon Gate which is the one Akira Kurosawa used as a model for his film "Rashomon" I would love to know the story behind the huge rock used as a fence with it's row of partially cut holes.

More from the Kyoto National Museum

This head rest, or pillow' does not look very comfortable although it is very beautiful The bran filled pillows used now are only a little more comfortable. I do not know who made the shino tea bowl but it was a real treasure.

The Eastern Hills of Kyoto

If you are ever in Kyoto do take a walk through the Eastern Hills - easy walking and very beautiful, especially in spring and autumn. The Nanzenji Temple is magnificient and from there is the "Phyllosophy Walk" which leads to the Okazaki area and the best antique shops.

More from the National Museum

Two more images from the Kyoto National Museum. A mid to late Jomon pot and some tomb figures. I would have liked to have handled the pots to feel their weight and balance but that was not possible. Most were behind glass. The tomb figures were very expressive and one would look really great in my garden.

The Heian Shrine, Kyoto

This is another very old shrine and when I took this photograph it had just celebrated its one thousandth year. It had all been recently re-furbished. The gardens were fabulous with this pond and its round stepping stones. No! That is not Estelle walking across.

Some Very Old Pots

These two pots were photographed in the Kyoto National Museum. If you ask permission it is often possible to photograph pieces in these public collections. The top picture is of an Mid Jomon pot which would be about 5000 years ago. The lower picture is a Later Jomon piece possible made about 3000 years ago

Wonderful Wooden Construction

The size and construction methods of wooden buildings in Japan are just amazing. These photos are of Kiyomizu Dera in Kyoto - just a short walk up the hill from the Kawai Museum.

Two Pictures from The Kawai Museum

This wonderful stool was part of Kawai's collection and the small Japanese wheel looked so good against the shoji screen that I couldn't resist photographing it. When we were in Japan we wanted to buy a Japanese type potter's wheel. The salesperson at Shimpo advised us not to as the very dry atmosphere in New Zealand would cause the wood to split. We did, however, purchase an electric Shimpo wheel and de-airing pug mill and later two more Shimpo wheels. They were wonderful!

Wonderful Places in Kyoto

If ever you are in Kyoto make sure you visit Kanjiro Kawai's home which is now a museum. There are many wonderful artifacts and his kilns are still there to be seen. Of the many potter's places we visited this was perhaps the most interesting from an historical point of view.