Camera in hand I’ve stepped back a few paces into a street that T-bones Jizo Dori just outside one of several bright red Maruji stores in Tokyo’s Sugamo. In this district where elasticized polyester is on-trend, elderly women flock to purchase fiery underpants and other crimson-coloured winter garments. Continue reading
Sugamo’s Jizo Dori is well-known in Tokyo as the spot to purchase aka-pantsu, scarlet underpants to fire up the winter bones, increase heart health and blood circulation. Continue reading
Today I pause to thank my grandparents, who escaped Stalin’s Russia in those last few months before the borders closed in 1929, for the courage and determination that compelled them to abandon everything and risk all. Continue reading
For several weeks the incandescent leaves from Nikko to Korankei to Maizuru and throughout Kyoto have blazed as hotly as the autumnal sun on my back. Though I’ve learned to stop making the fish mouth, I still wince internally with the visceral stabs of beauty. Even so, I’m not prepared for Rikugien in Tokyo’s Sugamo neighbourhood on this overcast day. Continue reading
One of the immediately impressive aspects of rail travel in Japan is the cleanliness the cars. Accustomed to my local SkyTrain system (in which the floors are often grubby after spills and people thoughtlessly litter) I appreciate the startling difference. Continue reading
After returning to Nagoya I head over to the Takashimaya food floor and stroll through it twice. The restaurant which calls to me is very high end with traditional wood and shoji styling and a gorgeous mini garden outside the door. I look over the menu and can’t say why I hesitate. My intuition in these matters is seldom wrong; nevertheless, I decide to look for something not quite as steep. Mistake. Continue reading
The first Monday of May a small group of farmers, the planting crew, interns, volunteers and media witnessed the planting of Masa Shiroki’s fourth crop of sake-grade rice on his Abbotsford field off Sumas Highway. His is the most northerly commercial rice production in the world. Continue reading
Read part one: On our Way to Tanigumi Kegonji
Read part two: Along the Avenue to Tanigumi Kegonji
Read part three: The Ascent Toward Tanigumi Kegonji
Read part four: Into the Underworld of Tanigumi Kegonji
The Tanigumi Kegonji experience is over, but has not ended. Afterwards I feel strangely expanded as if somehow—but quite irrationally—I contain all that is. Continue reading
Read part one: On our Way to Tanigumi Kegonji
Read part two: Along the Avenue to Tanigumi Kegonji
Read part three: The Ascent Toward Tanigumi Kegonji
With monks chanting above, I descend into the depths of Tanigumi Kegonji. Continue reading
Read part one: On our Way to Tanigumi Kegonji
Read part two: Along the Avenue to Tanigumi Kegonji
Our lunch and shopping done, we continue the ascent of the broad avenue toward Tanigumi Kegonji temple. Continue reading