Keisai Eisen – Kisokaido Narai Station, Print #35.
I haven’t done a post for a while about one of my favourite Ukiyo-e print series. So lets have a
Category: Culture
Himure Hachimangu, Omihachiman, Shiga.
I visited Shiga back in 2016 in January. I was expecting it to be cold but I was pleasantly surprised
The life of Patrick Lafcadio Hearn (aka Koizumi Yakumo).
I had a day off today and it wasn’t raining so I decided to visit Lafcadio Hearn’s residence just down
Looking for Hiroshige’s Japan
The rain misted down and I had two choices: the road up the hill, or the one alongside the river.
Hannya – (A Japanese She-Demon)
In Japanese folklore the female demon (oni) Hannya figures prominently. Often depicted in traditional Noh and Bunraku plays using a
Battle of Shiroyama – Saigo’s last stand.
The Battle of Shiroyama, the battle that inspired the final scenes in the movie The Last Samurai, took place on
Achi Shrine, Kurashiki, Okayama.
On the hill overlooking the historical Bikan area is the ancient Achi Shrine. According to the Nihonshoki (Chronicles of Japan)
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
Japanese History and Culture 