Genjuan International Haibun Contest 2020 Results

March 15, 2020 / sydneyinosaka / Leave a comment

Honorable Mention for Haibun Contest in Japan! I’m honored to receive this award and am grateful to the judges!

Amazing! The judges have finished their pow-wow early this year (completed on a long conference call between Tokyo, Kyoto and Tipperary), and we have already notified the awardees, so here now are the results of the 2020 Genjuan Contest:

グランプリ作品 Grand Prix
Snow in Advent…. David Cobb (UK)

庵賞 An (Cottage) Prizes
Whispers…. David McCullough (Japan/UK)
Key West Cat…. Joan Prefontaine (USA)

入選作 Honourable Mentions
Jamshedpur …. Kanchan Chatterjee (India)
Visiting John …. Paul Bregazzi (Ireland)
Fifteen Minute Limit …. Naomi Beth Wakan (Canada)
The Penultimate Mile …. Geethanjali Rajan (India)
Nagaranishi…. Sydney Solis (Japan/USA)
The Easter of the Blajin …. Cezar-Florin Ciobica (Romania)
Sunday Stopping Train to Salzburg …. Dick Pettit (Denmark)

審査委員 Judges – Akiko Takazawa, Stephen Henry Gill, Sean O’Connor

I don’t think Grand Prix-winning author David Cobb will mind me telling you that he has just turned 94 years old. Apparently he…

View original post 193 more words

Healing Waters & Haiku: Japanese Onsen at Kamiyusou, Totsukawa, Nara 神湯荘

January 26, 2020January 26, 2020 / sydneyinosaka / 8 Comments

The Healing Waters of Kamiyusou onsen in Totsukawa, Nara prefecture are a perfect stop to write haiku and rest your weary bones as you make your way as a pilgrim on the Kumano Kodo in Japan.

熊野古道 Kumano Kodo Pilgrimage – Japan’s Sacred Trees

January 24, 2020March 21, 2020 / sydneyinosaka / 1 Comment

Photograph of trees along the Kumano Kodo, or dark path, at Nachikatsuura, Wakayama, Japan.

Faith in Nature: Forest Bathing and Mythic Yoga Journey to Mt. Atago, Kyoto

January 21, 2020January 22, 2020 / sydneyinosaka / Leave a comment

Nature heals, and forest bathing on Mt. Atago in Kyoto, Japan is just what the planet orders to heal depression and help us find our life purpose.

Taichoro -Tomonoura 鞆の浦 – Hiroshima Prefecture – Photo Haiku and Haibun

January 21, 2020 / sydneyinosaka / 1 Comment

Haibun and photo haiku of Tomonoura in Tomonoura, Hiroshima Prefecture, Japan

The Mindful Art of Japanese Tea Culture

September 21, 2019September 22, 2019 / sydneyinosaka / 2 Comments

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

Toka Ebisu Festival in Osaka, Japan an Opportunity to Participate in Business Success

January 12, 2019January 12, 2019 / sydneyinosaka / Leave a comment

Osaka's historical roots is as a port city of trade, fishermen and merchants. One of the biggest festivals in honor of the patron deity of commerce, luck and fishing, Ebisu, is held annually on January 10 in the streets of Osaka with a giant parade and ritual activity as the locals wish for business success and prosperity in the New Year.

Street Photography Tour & Workshop Nov. 26 with Sydney in Osaka

October 11, 2018 / sydneyinosaka / 5 Comments

In addition to photographing nature, temples and shrines, my favorite subjects are neighborhoods that are historic, have lots of character or are a bit run down. Many mornings I walk the 3.3 kilometers with my husband from our Bohemian, but chi-chi, Shinmachi neighborhood in Osaka to the Nishikujo Station he takes to work. We leave … Continue reading Street Photography Tour & Workshop Nov. 26 with Sydney in Osaka

Japan’s Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Summer

September 8, 2018October 18, 2018 / sydneyinosaka / 5 Comments

Earthquakes, floods, heatwave and typhoons in Japan. A summer of living dangerously!

Dine on the River and Catch Noodles in Kibune, Japan

June 15, 2018June 15, 2018 / sydneyinosaka / 4 Comments

While the summer heats up in Japan, one place to cool off is the mountainous town of Kibune on the outskirts of Northern Kyoto. Kawadoko, dining on traditional Japanese food served while sitting over the floor of the Kibune River, is something not short of spectacular. On a recent trip with Community House and Information … Continue reading Dine on the River and Catch Noodles in Kibune, Japan

Sydney In Osaka

Living the Mindful Life in Japan

Travel in Japan