十三日.

The art of kogarashi.

By Johnny Nghiem

November 8^th, 2016

“Kogarashi (木枯らし) is the cold wind that lets us know of the arrival of winter.”

After being in Dubai for almost two years and with very little indication of seasons besides the temperature being hot or hotter, it was a nice welcome to have some cool breezes and rain while in Kyoto.

Above is Tōdai-ji in Nara, Japan. It is a Buddhist complex that can be dated back to 728 and houses the largest bronze statue of Buddha Vairocana known in Japanese simply as Daibutsu.

Below is the infamous feeding of free roaming deer who are regarded as messengers of the gods in the Shinto religion.

In Kyoto, we were invited to a live painting by our friend Daijiro Hama (www.daijirohama.com) on a rooftop overlooking the Lake Biwa Canal (I think). The painting itself was for a dentist’s office and it’s purpose, from what I gathered, was that since it will be mounted on the ceiling, its confusing patterns will distract the patients from feeling the pain of teeth work.

Like people, cities in Japan can vastly different from one to the next. Kyoto is like the more mature and down to earth friend while Osaka is like the abrasive college friend you can depend on getting wasted with. You need a little of both to realize the beauty of either one and with Kyoto, the slow pace and nature injected atmosphere really puts things in perspective and gives you a sense of balance in your life.

The Ginkaku-ji (more commonly known as the Silver Pavilion) is a Zen temple and is one of the constructions that represents the Higashiyama Culture of the Muromachi period. The sand garden above is arranged meticulously and is said to symbolize Mount Fuji which we actually get to see tomorrow when we reach Yamanashi for some serious detox.

Above is the highest observation point at Ginkaku-ji and as you see some of the leaves transforming, in a couple more weeks, this view will be completely washed with orange, red, and yellow tones and the beginning of winter.