Hiroshige's Tokai Road: View 53

A traveler along the Tokai Road in reverse, from Kyoto to Edo, might have stayed at the Ishibeya, depicted at top, about a day's journey from Kyoto.  The second photo shows the present-day Ishibeya, while the photo at bottom shows traditional structures in the village, located in Shiga Prefecture.

Hiroshige: "53 Stops on the Toaki Road": View 54

View 54 shows a tea shop in Otsu, the last stop on the Tokai road before Kyoto.

The second photo shows another of Hiroshige's pictures of the same scene.

Hiroshige's "Fifty-three Stops on the Tokai Road": View 55

# 55: The Great Sanjo Bridge, Kyoto

Hiroshige stood on the western bank of the Kamo River and painted this, the final stop of his series that contained 55 views in all.  He faced east, in the direction of Edo, the capital of the Tokugawa Shogunate and the start of the nearly 500 km long Tokai road, whose end he had reached.

The Great Sanjo Bridge today.

Another Woodcut Master: Hiroshige

Compare Hiroshige's work with that of Hokusai (in the following post).

Hokusai

Yesterday I went to our local outlet of up-scale department store Isetan for the final day of an exhibit devoted to Hokusai, one of Japan's most famous manga and woodblock artists. The above view of Mt. Fuji  is one of a series of 36 the artist created depicting Japan's iconic mountain. Fuji is shown from a vantage that is now part of Shizuoka City.

Getting to Kyoto: The Kitaguni

I took the overnight train Kitaguni (きたぐに) from Niigata to Kyoto in December, 2009. I recommend the A-class sleeper to those wishing to spend a pleasant night aboard one of the few night trains still operating in Japan.

Photos of the Old Imperial Palace Grounds, Kyoto

More Photos of Kyoto: The Ancient Imperial Palace Grounds

Sokoku Temple Kyoto: photos

Adjacent to the lovely campus of Doshisha University is the temple complex of Sokokuji.  I just happened to stumble upon the temple and was rewarded for my waywardness.

Shorenin Temple

While in Kyoto I went to Shorenin Temple for its illumination. The interior and temple grounds were beautifully illuminated, but my ignorance of my camera's functions prevented me from taking more photos than the ones of the bamboo grove I've uploaded.

The Campus of Doshisha University, Kyoto

Kyoto: The Monks

While waiting for a traffic signal to change at a busy intersection, I was passed by a procession of monks, noiseless in their straw sandals (waraji; 草鞋). 

Kyoto: No Painting the Town Red

In Kyoto the color "red" has traditionally been considered showy and in poor taste.  McDonald's outlets in the city demonstrate this aesthetic, for the outdoor signs substitute brown where we would expect to find the offending color.

Kyoto- Kiyomizu Temple (清水寺) Photos

On a recent trip to Kyoto I visited one of its most famous temples, World Heritage site Kiyomizu. The temple was established some 1,200 years ago; the present buildings date to 1633. The site is home not only to the temple but also to a number of Shinto shrines, among which the most important is Jishu (founded the year 701), sacred to Okuninushi, god of love and matchmaking. The photos: (upper left), the main gate; (upper right), a three-storeyed pagoda; (lower left), the main hall; (lower right), the aforementioned pagoda, as well as another of the temple complex's halls.

Michael Moore to Corporate Japan: Don't Become Like the U.S.

In Japan to promote his latest film "Capitalism: A Love Story", award-winning director Michael Moore exhorts the Japanese not to create a society in which companies replace full-time employees through out-sourcing or with part-time hires.

Part III: A Cycling Trip Pictorial:from Niigata to Yamagata and Back

On the (Narrow) Road Again: More Pics-Niigata to Yamagata

A Detour

Aerial views of Ogi (above) and Shukunegi on Sado Island, Niigata, show a few roofs protected from strong winds blowing in off the Sea of Japan in the traditional way, with stones.

***See the previous post for a photo of a cedar-shingled roof protected in this way.

Scenes from the Year's Last Ride

There was plenty of lovely scenery in extreme northern Niigata on a Saturday in late November.

The roads in this area are closed for winter from Dec. 1-Mar. 31. Fortunately, the weather cooperated on the 29th of Nov. to allow me to do this ride, which had had to be postponed several times earlier in the year.

*** The stones atop the woodshed are unusual for an inland area, in my experience; when seen at all they tend to be found on roofs in coastal areas that are subject to strong winds.

Ryokan on Greed

Ryokan, the great monk of the Soto Zen sect of Buddhism, on greed.

One morning death comes before

They can use even half their money.

Others happily receive the estate,

And the deceased's name is soon lost in darkness.

For such people there can only be great pity.

18th Century Japanese Zen Poet Ryokan on Greed

Once again, many greedy people appear

No different from silkworms wrapped in cocoons.

Wealth and riches are all they love,

Never giving their minds or bodies a moment's rest.

Every year their natures deteriorate

While their vanity increases.