Achi Shrine, Kurashiki, Okayama.
On the hill overlooking the historical Bikan area is the ancient Achi Shrine. According to the Nihonshoki (Chronicles of Japan)
Category: Culture
Okayama Castle
(Tenshu-kaku from the south) (Tenshu-kaku from the north. You can see the irregular shape of the base floor from this
Shukkeien, historical gardens in Hiroshima.
Shukkeien gardens date back to 1620, a year after feudal lord Asano Nagaakira was made lord of Hiroshima. Asano’s principal
Onomichi – Tennei-ji and Senko-ji
I went to Onomichi today hoping for clear skies and cherry blossoms. One came true, the cherry blossoms are in
69 Stations of the Kisokaido. Plate 15-Itahana snow.
This is a very pretty scene. It shows travellers walking along the track by a fast flowing stream on a
Konjikido in Snow, Hiraizumi, 1957
Hall of the golden hue (konjikido) This print was the last print ever to be designed by Kawase Hasui. Sadly,
Empress Jingu and the Onna Bugeisha
Everybody knows about Japan and their samurai. But did you know men were not the only ones being trained to
History of Kumamoto Castle, 1467 to 1877, Kyushu.
Updated 15th April 2021. Good news that the Kumamoto castle main tower has been repaired and will be open to
Keisai Eisen – 69 Stations of the Kisokaido – Plate 8.
Title: Konosu Station, View of Mt Fuji from Fukiage. This scene is dominated by Mt Fuji in the distance and
Keisai Eisen – 69 Stations of the Kisokaido – Plate 1.
Title: Snow at Nihonbashi on New Year’s Morning. The Nihonbashi (Japan Bridge), was at the heart of Edo and the
Site Update
After 2 years with the same theme, I decided to make a change. Please tell me what you think. I
鷺娘の精 (The Spirit of the Heron Maiden)
鷺娘の精 (The Spirit of the Heron Maiden) woodblock print by Taniguchi Kokyo (1864-1915), dated 1925; from my collection. Oban tate-e
360 year old inn closes its doors.
Sad news I found today about the closing of a famous and traditional Japanese inn. It dates way back to
The Throw Away Temple – Dumping Ground of the Yoshiwara Prostitutes.
Not far from Minowa station on the Hibiya line is a nondescript temple called 浄閑寺—Jokanji. From the street, it looks
Nishi Honganji
Nishi Honganji is the mother temple for the Jodo Shinshu sect of Japanese Buddhism established by Shinran Shonan who lived
Shikoku Pilgrimage
Shikoku is host to the famous 88 temple pilgrimage. It is said to take up to 3 months to complete
Forced Affection -Rape as the First Act of Romance in Heian Japan (an essay)
While readers of Japanese literature from the Heian and Kamakura periods often find it difficult to determine when a sexual
Ushiwakamaru defeats Kumasaka Chohan – Ukiyo-e print
Not something I have done before but I found this beautiful Ukiyo-e print with some history attached to it. It’s
Japanese home architecture
I’ve been interested in Japanese style architecture for a long time but recently I’ve taken an interest in traditional home
Rare account of feudal warrior’s daily life.
HIKONE, Shiga Prefecture–Fascinating tidbits from the daily lives of samurai warriors have been gleaned from a diary found four years
