Blogs

Where there is clutter, even valuable things lose their value. Where there is too much, nothing stands out. The essence of Japanese aesthetic is a concept called 'MA' (pronounced "maah") — th … read more

A sure sign of summer’s arrival in Japan is warm, pleasant rains of early May, called samidare.The picture above was taken in Miyazaki Shrine. The priestess ladies are about to begin their workday, wh … read more

under cherry blossoms’ shade even those whom we don’t know are not strangers (Issa Kobayashi, 1819) When we can share feelings with others, they are no longer strangers. If we have em … read more

on new year’s day I long for my parents before I was born (ganjitsu ni | umarenu saki no | oya koishi) Natsume Soseki (1867-1916) The sky draws near such a bright sunrise aahh! new y … read more

Today is the first day of tsuyu, the beginning of the rainy season in southern Japan.  Spring is in its full glory and gentle, warm rain has been falling all day. It will rain here every day f … read more