How we bring the beauty of traditional Japanese lifestyle and mindfulness into our American home.
Japanese Cultural Junkie
八咫烏 Yatagarasu – The Three-Legged Crow of Japanese Mythology – With Photos and Haiku
The divine messenger of the sun, the crow, is exemplified in Yatagarasu, the three-legged crow in Japanese mythology. With photos and haiku by Sydney Solis.
The Liquid Sky: When Art, Haiku and Japanese Myth Connect
Inner Connections of the Liquid Sky 43 Haiku and a Mythical Poem from the Kojiki by Maria Paptzelou and Masashi Nakamura is available as an Ebook.
Haiga and Haiku Exhibition in Kyoto: 170th Anniversary of Lafcadio Hearn’s Birth
Watch the video of the Kyoto Exhibition that celebrates 170th Anniversary of Lafcadio Hearn's Birth made by Masashi Nakamura of Japan.
On Haiku, Bamboo, Poetry Writing, Conservation Work in Japan, and Some Contests Too
A variety of opportunities to appreciate and write haiku poetry are to be found in Japan. A few of my favorite experiences, from the Arashiyama Bamboo forest composure strolls to books, to haiku competitions.
Japan’s Living Mythic Tradition Comes Alive at Iwami Kagura Naniwa in Osaka
Ever since coming to Japan I have wanted to see Kagura, which means "entertaining the gods." It relates the myths of Japan, utilizing sacred Japanese dance and music dedicated to Shinto gods. This year Western Shimane Prefecture's Iwami Kagura Naniwa opened a Kagura theatre in Osaka. My daughter was in town, so we went as a … Continue reading Japan’s Living Mythic Tradition Comes Alive at Iwami Kagura Naniwa in Osaka
The Mindful Art of Japanese Tea Culture
It was a pleasure to join WANOBI-Beautiful Japan Executive Director Yuko Sangu and guests for a demonstration of making a chasen, Japan tea whisk, and chashitsu, tea house culture experience and tour WANOBI held at Master Craftsman Tango Tanimura's Wahokudou studio in Takayama, Ikoma City, Nara Prefecture in conjunction with Camellia Tea Ceremony of Kyoto
Teahouse Culture Exhibition Featuring 9 Traditional Japanese Artisans in Kobe June 28-July 29
It’s a new era, and just as Sen no Rikyū shook up the tea ceremony in the 16th century, WANOBI - Beautiful Japan Foundation seeks to showcase tea-related traditions and Japanese artisans with a modern interpretation at the Takenaka Carpentry Tool Museum in Kobe June 29 - July 28, 2019.
Getting To Noh The Present Moment with Noh Theatre at Yamamoto Nohgakudo
"I don't believe people are looking for the meaning of life as much as they are looking for the experience of being alive." - Joseph Campbell When I was a theatre major at the University of Colorado at Boulder there was an Asian professor whose specialty was Noh Theatre. I was 18 and couldn't understand … Continue reading Getting To Noh The Present Moment with Noh Theatre at Yamamoto Nohgakudo
Open-Air Museum of Old Japanese Farmhouses in Osaka
It's plum-blossom time in Japan. My history-buff, Classics major son is visiting us for Spring break, so we wandered around to view some late blooming sites, including Osaka Castle Park. A big secret to view some gorgeous plum blossoms without the massive crowds is to head to the Open-Air Museum of Old Japanese Farmhouses in … Continue reading Open-Air Museum of Old Japanese Farmhouses in Osaka
