Posted A Crosswalk in Nagano.
Category: Japan
A Crosswalk in Nagano
One Monday afternoon in April 2016 I got to see something which, once seen, has been impossible to un-see. I’m standing at a crosswalk in Nagano, Japan, reading a ditty on the back of a man’s shirt: Indian Boys, Indian Boys, Oh how I love those Indian Boys The image of an American Indian dreamcatcher… Continue reading A Crosswalk in Nagano
Japanese Candy
Hovered at the Japanese candy display at United Noodles, an Asian supermarket: one less reason to visit Japan. The KitKats are matcha-flavored, and are rather fine.
A Corner of Japan
Paused preparations for our upcoming home move to seek comfort (food) at our local Japanese restaurant, Zen Box Izakaya: tonkotsu ramen. NHK (Japanese television) was showing a segment about cleaning airport toilets. “It’s good to think of others,” declared one of the cleaners.
Don’t Touch the Concrete
Last week my partner and I walked along a Chicago residential street to Wrightwood 659, a brand new exhibition space designed by Japanese architect Tadao Ando. The Antithesis The previous day, a wonderful volunteer docent, an elderly woman, went silent when I said that Ando walks on water. Maybe I had offended her religious sensibilities,… Continue reading Don’t Touch the Concrete
Finding Tadao Ando
This week my partner and I will make a quick trip to Chicago to visit Wrightwood 659, a new art space designed by Japan’s Tadao Ando. We’ll explore the inaugural exhibition, Ando and Le Corbusier: Masters of Architecture. In March 2014 I was vaguely aware of architect Tadao Ando when I took a boat to Naoshima… Continue reading Finding Tadao Ando
Ma: The Space Between
A torii (traditional Japanese gateway), and steps receding into the distance to an unseen temple, exemplify the Japanese concept of ma, the space between. The gate frames space. The steps provide space in time to prepare the mind. As I read around, there are many definitions of ma, but not one easy definition. The concept… Continue reading Ma: The Space Between
Snapshots: 1,000 Miles by Train to Tokyo
Posted Snapshots: 1,000 Miles by Train to Tokyo.
Snapshots: 1,000 Miles by Train to Tokyo
September 2018. I had spent the previous week exploring the three national parks in eastern Hokkaido. It was now time to figure out how to chunk a journey to Tokyo over the next 10 days. I had flown to eastern Hokkaido, Japan’s northernmost main island. The journey back to Tokyo would be slower. Armed with… Continue reading Snapshots: 1,000 Miles by Train to Tokyo
Mono no aware: the Pathos of Things
Mono no aware, Japanese.Roughly pronounced: moh-noh noh ah-wah-ray. Roughly translated: A wistful awareness of the impermanence or transience of things. [Source] Cherry blossoms exemplify the Japanese mono no aware sensibility. The intense beauty lasts just a few days before disappearing. The short time blossoms are in season is a time for celebration. Kyushu, southern Japan, March 2014.… Continue reading Mono no aware: the Pathos of Things