Katsura Imperial Villa> Textures

First entry on Katsura is the textures. The surface that shaping the beauty of this traditional architecture, and the surrounding. As there will be no beauty of architecture without the beauty of its surrounding. It's just mutual. Not more, not less, blend.











More on Katsura later on.

Kinkakuji, The Golden Temple

OK, I have to make a confession first, that I went to this Kinkakuji for the sake of being a "student/tourist" in Japan. Not much to see actually, aside from the bright in gold Kinkakuji. Interesting, well, yes.
Being exposed quite some time with the idea of a traditional architecture built next to a garden, coming to Kinkauji gave me a new understanding, seeing that the temple here was built next to a pond, create a clear reflection of the golden temple.





Well, got the "normal" pictures for this place, too bad I didn't quite manage to grasp what lies under the surface. OK, next destination, Katsura Imperial Villa, dubbed as the beacon of Japanese ness, in term of architecture. The number one. :D

Kyoto Imperial Palace

It's been quite some time since the last time I updated this blog, so this time, I'll try to come out with several entries, hopefully interesting enough to keep you people staring into the details, or not. :)
Well anyway, let's start. The first for today is the infamous Kyoto Imperial Palace. Not so far from Osaka, a quite well known tourist destination, and it has guides that will show you around, better yet, they can speak English! :)
The first two pictures were taken on the main building of this palace, a.k.a the palace itself, and the garden next to it. The rest, satisfy the urge on taking unique pictures, which not quite a success. Enjoy, anyway. :)




Details, details..

What seems to be Ise Shrine (and around)

As some of you may have already know that it is forbidden to take pictures of the real Ise shrine, so the hut like architecture over there is the mark for the next location for the shrine, as they rebuild this shrine every 20 years in different place, usually next to the old one.
A little bit zoom in, but still shows the hugeness of the nature. Just so huge. Makes me realize how insignificant we are in front of He who controls the whole, the whole.
Symmetry of roof on one of the sub temples. Interesting, I may say. Below, the sub shrine of Ise, so simple. Just bare wooden structures, so humble in front of the nature surrounding the architecture.
Finally, a fun shot on the pond. Everyone, have them eat your fingers! Now!

Machiya, Naramachi

Why do I put some normal picture on the first? Well, note at the right hand corner, you can see some red balls with different sizes along from the top to the bottom. Those are not just balls, but a special decoration (you can say.) on Naramachi, a symbol of monkey. Yes, monkey! Apparently, the god for this region is the red monkeys.



Ha, as you can see, another frontal compositions, and the last two were about bicycles in their prime. That is all for the machiyas, hopefully you enjoy the smell of traditions around the corner. See you on different topics, after the jump.

Machiya, Takayama

Takayama, is one place in the middle of Honshu island, notably known for the existence of these traditional architecture around the old town, and the government realize that that feature can attract so many tourists to go and stay at Takayama. Well, another frontal compositions.




These pictures were meant to be used on my research (blah!) about traditional architecture here in Japan, so some of them focused on what elements I thought is interesting and visually well-known as the element of Japanese traditional architecture. And there they are, firstly, the lines, then wooden material, and simplicity in their compositions.

Machiya, Gion, Kyoto

The setting of Gion, Kyoto on one afternoon when I went there to take these shots. A place where the architecture maintained to resemble the old Japan's time. And it indeed works, as you can see from the picture. OK, let's start off with some frontal composition.


As some of you might have noticed that my shots usually taken in such of manner. Kinda wanted to show off a flat graphic like composition. But well, I kinda bored with this kind of angle, since I became repetitive on doing so.
This last one I really liked, though not really showing any particular interesting activity in it. This kind of alley is called roji here in Japan. The kind of alleys that appeared in the movies as dark alleys where usually a girl gets mobbed and the hero will come to save her (and kissed her while his head is upside down. Uh, wait, that is Spiderman! :) ).

entering Koto-in, the procession

As usual, a torii symbolize the beginning of some interesting space and experience waiting inside.The green (gonna be red during autumn season) sky along the stone path. Indescribable experience passing through the wood of bamboo trees. The calm it brought into your soul. Can be in this place whole day long. Trust me for this. :D .
Another torii.

Framing the nature, like capturing pictures through your camera. Just another classic specialty of Japanese architecture.
And finally, call someone to inform this magical experience. Come to Japan, experience the real Japan (Yokoso Japan!!) For real, do I get paid if I do this on purpose? Up next, around the Koto-in.

another house, another revealence

Welcome to my crib, YO! Wait, wait, wait, this is not Mtv show, this is just me getting into a house in Nara.This is some views on the main hall. Located next to the garden, with tokonoma on one corner, and the peaceful atmosphere surrounding the room, this is a really nice time to enjoy some ocha and okashi. Oishii ne!


The last picture seems a bit odd, and though it is still acceptable, you can feel that something is just not right. Why? Because to enjoy a Japanese traditional interior, and appreciate it to the fullest, you should be sitting on your knee, and see the surrounding from that position. Well, this picture is not taken from that point. Hihihi, yes, just some (i hope) interesting information.

Peaceful, eh.