Views from Japan!

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Looking out a window of the Adachi Museum at the Adachi Garden. The idea being that art need not be contained in a frame and displayed on a wall.

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Matsue castle. Not a large castle as castles go, but very impressive architecture all the same.

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Shikansen, aka bullet train. They are definitely fast and extremely comfortable.

dsc_9654Local train, not as fast as Shikansen, but a lot of fun.

dsc_9759Temple garden in Kyoto.

dsc_9828Japanese maple

dsc_9714Ginko.

dsc_9816A temple view from a tatami room.

dsc_9601Koi in a temple pond.

img_4554Ugly me!

dsc_0286-2A kite, much bigger than our red-tail hawk. Very impressive bird. Their favorite prey is fish. This fellow is soaring over the Sea of Japan.

img_4223Moon rise over the Sea of Japan. This moon was a particularly large moon due to the closeness of earth to our dear orbiting partner.

dsc_0250Elementary school children posing for a picture before they take off for a field trip. I’m standing to the side, hence a few of them are smiling my way. I love it!

dsc_0311Mt. Fuji. It is as beautiful as it looks!

dsc_0315One more time. Notice the reddish tint. It actually goes a bit red with the sunset. I nearly stopped breathing. Hokusai, a great nineteenth century Japanese artist, is famous for painting a red Fuji in a series of paintings: One hundred views of Mt. Fuji.

 

Well that’s all for the moment. We’ve been here for a week and we’ll be here for another week…having fun with family and friends. We’re in Fuji, Japan now and the two pics above were taken from our room’s balcony. It’s around 10:30 p.m. and in the past hour or so, Fuji-san has come into view from the rising moon. Sadako and I have our wine ready for a great moon viewing with Mt. Fuji.

Sayonara!

 

 

45 thoughts on “Views from Japan!”

    1. Paul Post author

      Thank you!

      Regarding, the pic I posted, the koi had just surfaced leaving the ripples. It’s lovely. Thanks Barron! Your response means a great deal to me. Arigato, gozaimasu!

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    1. Paul Post author

      Thank you! Well, what can I say? That was my BEST picture. I’m terrible with photos…sigh. It is wonderful here. Absolutely beautiful. Thank you so much for your interest. It’s so good to have you as a friend. I’ll be posting some more pictures in a few days. We’re headed to Tokyo today!

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    1. Paul Post author

      Ha! The kid’s hats are terrific! They were a fun bunch. What can I say? The Japanese folk have been, for me, the most gentle, supportive, and concerned people I’ve ever met. Sadako and I were walking back to her mother’s apartment in Osaka, a city of 8 million plus, the other night. We came across eight year olds playing on their bikes. It was nine p.m. I don’t think you’d see that in Chicago!

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    1. Paul Post author

      I’ve had one culinary experience this trip that was a challenge, but I don’t have any pictures. But I’ll send some in a few days. Great suggestion.
      Here in Japan, second only to taste is the appearance of the served food. For instance, Sadako’s mother, who is 83, doesn’t care for Mexican cuisine because to her it’s ugly. It has to look good. Unfortunately for me, I’ve seen some exquisite dishes, but could not eat them…no way. 🙂 But, I’ve gotten better with traditional Japanese cuisine. Maybe in a few years, hey…who knows?
      Thanks for following!

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    1. Paul Post author

      And thank you! It’s such a wonderful place. We come over here at least once a year. This is my first autumn, and I have to say, it’s as lovely as the spring with the cherry blossoms.

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    1. Paul Post author

      Thank you so much Spear. I mentioned you to my wife last night and told her you were definitely one of my best blogging friends. I also mentioned your ongoing battle. We sent prayers for you to Mt. Fuji.

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  12. Diana Marin

    All the views are beautiful, and you captured them nicely! I’ve been wanting to see Japan for quite some time now, and the more I see of it, the more impatient I am about travelling there. Hopefully, one day.

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    1. Paul Post author

      Thank you for the kind words. It is a bit intimidating without knowledge of the language, but not impossible. Many Japanese speak English. I have the advantage of being married to a Japanese lady. It is though a lovely country. And each season of the year offers a new vision of the country.
      Thank you again for reading.

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  15. Deb

    WOW! That’s what I said as I looked at each picture. Simply beautiful and breathtaking. Mt. Fuji is impressive and gorgeous. The colors are magnificent. I love the young child in the middle giving the peace sign…guess that’s universal! You must have captured the SuperMoon, it was enormous, closest it will be until 2034…Japan is amazing! Thanks again for sharing…you should change your caption on your pic to just “me” you’re not ugly!!! 🙂 Enjoy!

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    1. Paul Post author

      Yep it was the Super Moon! It took us by surprise! It was perfect. The moon, the Sea of Japan, a lighthouse, it was all there…lovely. And thank you Deb for the wonderful compliment! I’m terrible at posing for pictures…usually the best ones are the ones that take me by surprise. Thanks again!

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      1. Deb

        That Super Moon was amazing!! So glad you got pictures of it!! What a lovely evening and vacation you have been having. Oh you’re most welcome, I think we all are critical of pictures of ourselves! You look marvelous!!! 😉
        Boy I bet Cody will be happy to see you two when you get back home! Hope your travel is speedy and uneventful. This trip has been great food for writing too.

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  16. M. Miles

    On the same wavelength again! I’ve just finished reading The Tale of Murasaki (two thumbs up) and started reading Memoirs of a Geisha. The poetic language in both of these books, especially Murasaki, made me thirsty for a view of Japan. Thanks for sharing these colorful pictures. The foliage is incredible! Superman was great too. I enjoyed watching it rise over the ocean in Brazil!

    Maybe you could solve a mystery that has come up for me in Memoirs of a Geisha. What does the suffix “san” mean? I notice you can even use it to describe Mt. Fuji! Glad you had a pleasant journey!

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    1. Paul Post author

      I’m currently halfway through Dalby’s novel The Tale of Murasaki! You are exactly right about the poetic language. It’s a shame a book such as this doesn’t get the press coverage it deserves. But we’re definitely on the same wavelength!
      To answer your question regarding “san.” It’s a suffix that shows respect for the person. In English we have Mr. Ms, Mrs. and so on. When I speak of Sadako’s mother I refer to her orally and in written form as Masako-san. In referring to a mountain, i.e. Fuji-san, it shows respect in the sense that Mt. Fuji is an important place in terms of culture, history, spirituality, etc. There are other suffixes that operate in the same way. Sadako’s niece, whose name is Mari, is often referred to as Marichan. “Chan” being a suffix that simply reflects the younger person. They go on and on. But I’ll stop here! Thanks a ton for reading! And as always, good to hear from ya! 🙂

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      1. M. Miles

        I’m so glad you’re reading The Tale of Murasaki! I felt the same way as you; why is this not a huge, critically-acclaimed bestseller?

        Thanks for the explanation. I remember coming across “chan” in my reading too. Makes sense now!

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  17. Mary Job

    I am looking at your pictures and going wow wow wow i have missed, who says you are ugly, beauty i have found lies in the heart, in our attitude and in our words. That Fish, OMG. If there is one culture i have been so fascinated with, it is the Japanese, they seem so cool, quiet, intelligent, and full of wisdom, you have made me renew my love for Japan and right now it is top on my list to visit. Just look at the flowers, the babies, the house shape, the trains, the beauty is enormous.

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      1. Mary Job

        I believe i would too, plus i have eyes like them which is so cute. The shape of my eyes is my favourite part on my body. The other day, a policeman stopped me while driving my moms car, he said you look innocent but you are not. I was rolling on the floor laughing inside of me. I get that a lot, whether i am innocent or not is another story eh.

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  21. poetsjasmineblog

    OMG beautiful pictures! I especially loved the koi pond and the red, yellow, orange and pink-leafed trees. The smiling visages of the children and the glorious visions of the vast mountains left a surreal feeling in my heart. Thank you for these precious gems. ❤

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    1. Paul Post author

      Oh thank you so much for your kind words. I have to say it. I love Japan. It’s an amazing place and so full of beauty. I told a friend of mine, “all I had to do was lift my camera and click and it would be a lovely picture! Ha! What amazes me though is that no matter where you go, a beautiful park will probably be near by.
      Thanks again for reading and looking! 🙂

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      1. poetsjasmineblog

        My pleasure. 🙂 Your post was an awesome read. Can’t wait to read more of your works.
        Wow! Parks everywhere. Must be heaven on earth!
        Please post more. Best of luck! ❤

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  25. Holistic Wayfarer

    My 10-yr-old, who learned Japanese geography last yr, enjoyed the post. He always said the Sea of Japan could be called the Sea of Korea. We don’t get the blast of color on our California trees so I as glad to share these maples with him.

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    1. Paul Post author

      Sorry to be so late with my reply! I’m so glad to hear that your son enjoyed the Japan pictures! And he’s not alone with the Sea of Japan issue! China wants to claim it as well.
      We’re headed to Japan this September, so we’ll be a bit early for the autumn colors, but I’ll still try to get some good pics. thank you so much for reading and sharing! 🙂

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