Those little keychains that the old man gave your son all say ‘makoto’ (‘sincerity’). That was the motto per se of the famous shogunate police at the end of the Bakumatsu period- the Shinsengumi! That is the robin’s egg blue + white combo of their flag! 😄
While you’re there, I highly recommend reading Jun'ichirō Tanizaki’s essay ‘In Praise of Shadows.’ It was written in 1933, and it’s the most delicious piece of writing about Japanese aesthetics, and about how the West craves light, but Japanese aesthetics are all about darkness and mystery. The whole thing is online here!
You have confirmed something I learned traveling in Japan. If you get lost, take the first step of stairs you see and you’ll be amazed (and usually no longer lost!). And the more ancient looking steps they are the better! Enjoyed this post!
Lovely that you can be there exploring with your Milo who loves Japanese culture!!! My partner and I lived in Osaka for three years, and loved just about every moment of it. I might recommend Sumiyoshi Taisha (via the trolley line) and the park nearby of the same name, which is great for cherry blossoms and herons :-)
I did so many stories/illustrations about our time in Japan... have you tried a 'sento' bathouse?
Thank you for sharing these images and thoughts from your trip! I believe the produce is bamboo shoots - I have never seen them in person (and they are so much BIGGER than I thought they would be) but I recognize them from a memory of a book I had when I was little - it was an illustrated children's book and now I want tot try to figure out what it was. The story revolved around a little boy and bamboo shoots - can't remember much more than that - I always loved the representation of the bamboo shoots and when I saw your photo the illustrations popped right into my head.
I agree with Sarah that the produce in your photo is bamboo shoots. (I have friends in Eugene with a stand of timber bamboo and that is what their bamboo shoots look like). How wonderful to see them in their "native habitat". I am loving your photos and comments and drawings of Japan both here and on Instagram, thank you so much for sharing this! I hope you do get to visit an art supply shop, how much fun would that be!
This was a cute read, but I just don't understand how it is OK for us easterners to adopt pieces of western culture but not the other way around?! We would actually be happy to see our culture embraced by other people, I just don't understand this cultural appropriation thing, it's so absurd!
Cultural appropriation is an issue when people who have historically oppressed another culture also adopt aspects of it in a superficial way for fun. For example, when a white American lady, whose culture is responsible for the literal genocide of native Americans, dresses up in an Indian headdress for Halloween. That’s wrong. Japanese Americans were subject to exclusion laws, internment camps, etc. and I know that some of them would think my kid dressing as a ninja is also wrong. I think it’s a complicated issue. I will say that it does not seem to offend here in Japan. He got a ton of attention in this get up and it was all sweet and good.
But if we do that, all these other cultures will eventually fade and be replaced by white american culture, because we already wear jeans and suits and consume all the media, content and language from America but you think it's gross to wear kimonos and saris etc, it's kinda ironic 😄 Appropriation would be for you to introduce the ninja get up as American but it's silly, everyone knows where ninjas come from, you're not stealing it, you're just advertising the Japanese culture, making it into an icon, Actually most people would be happy and proud to see western people adopting their culture for once instead of the other way around. (Love your work by the way, not trying to start a fight here in the comments 😄❤)
Those little keychains that the old man gave your son all say ‘makoto’ (‘sincerity’). That was the motto per se of the famous shogunate police at the end of the Bakumatsu period- the Shinsengumi! That is the robin’s egg blue + white combo of their flag! 😄
And, oh, the names beneath that are some of their more notable members! Nagakura Shinpachi, Yamanashi Keisuke, Hijikata Toshizo, etc. So cool!
Thank you so much!
While you’re there, I highly recommend reading Jun'ichirō Tanizaki’s essay ‘In Praise of Shadows.’ It was written in 1933, and it’s the most delicious piece of writing about Japanese aesthetics, and about how the West craves light, but Japanese aesthetics are all about darkness and mystery. The whole thing is online here!
https://neeta.works/on-graphic-design/readings/Tanizaki-In_Praise_of_Shadows.pdf
Will do!
I loved reading this so much!
This is great. Gonna take it as a reminder to rewatch Up On Poppy Hill.
Thank you for sharing your adventure! 💜💜💜
You have confirmed something I learned traveling in Japan. If you get lost, take the first step of stairs you see and you’ll be amazed (and usually no longer lost!). And the more ancient looking steps they are the better! Enjoyed this post!
Lovely that you can be there exploring with your Milo who loves Japanese culture!!! My partner and I lived in Osaka for three years, and loved just about every moment of it. I might recommend Sumiyoshi Taisha (via the trolley line) and the park nearby of the same name, which is great for cherry blossoms and herons :-)
I did so many stories/illustrations about our time in Japan... have you tried a 'sento' bathouse?
https://thepossiblecity.substack.com/p/short-28-peace-of-steam-the-japanese
Sorry. I'll stop there. Haha. However it goes, just enjoy and keep sharing.
Loving it :-) <3
This is excellent. I so want to go to Japan and am loving reading your experiences. Please don't stop. Enjoy your travels
Thank you for sharing these images and thoughts from your trip! I believe the produce is bamboo shoots - I have never seen them in person (and they are so much BIGGER than I thought they would be) but I recognize them from a memory of a book I had when I was little - it was an illustrated children's book and now I want tot try to figure out what it was. The story revolved around a little boy and bamboo shoots - can't remember much more than that - I always loved the representation of the bamboo shoots and when I saw your photo the illustrations popped right into my head.
i have so been loving your photos on instagram stories. this seems like such a special trip!
I agree with Sarah that the produce in your photo is bamboo shoots. (I have friends in Eugene with a stand of timber bamboo and that is what their bamboo shoots look like). How wonderful to see them in their "native habitat". I am loving your photos and comments and drawings of Japan both here and on Instagram, thank you so much for sharing this! I hope you do get to visit an art supply shop, how much fun would that be!
May you find some lovely paint brushes with bamboo handles.
This was a cute read, but I just don't understand how it is OK for us easterners to adopt pieces of western culture but not the other way around?! We would actually be happy to see our culture embraced by other people, I just don't understand this cultural appropriation thing, it's so absurd!
Cultural appropriation is an issue when people who have historically oppressed another culture also adopt aspects of it in a superficial way for fun. For example, when a white American lady, whose culture is responsible for the literal genocide of native Americans, dresses up in an Indian headdress for Halloween. That’s wrong. Japanese Americans were subject to exclusion laws, internment camps, etc. and I know that some of them would think my kid dressing as a ninja is also wrong. I think it’s a complicated issue. I will say that it does not seem to offend here in Japan. He got a ton of attention in this get up and it was all sweet and good.
But if we do that, all these other cultures will eventually fade and be replaced by white american culture, because we already wear jeans and suits and consume all the media, content and language from America but you think it's gross to wear kimonos and saris etc, it's kinda ironic 😄 Appropriation would be for you to introduce the ninja get up as American but it's silly, everyone knows where ninjas come from, you're not stealing it, you're just advertising the Japanese culture, making it into an icon, Actually most people would be happy and proud to see western people adopting their culture for once instead of the other way around. (Love your work by the way, not trying to start a fight here in the comments 😄❤)
That’s okay. I see your point. I also see the point of Japanese Americans who disagree.
You are living my dream.
Thank you for appreciating it.
All good energies to you both on your trip.
Love it, feels like I am right there with you
I love that we were in Kyōto and nearly the same time. I'm glad you enjoyed one of my favorite places to be in Japan.