Japanese Zen Gardens for Peace – in Memory of Martin McKellar

Sudden News of a Friend’s Death is Never Easy Martin and I out front of the Harn Museum of Art in Gainesville, Florida in June 2021. My heart was shattered late January when I received a message from my friend Martin McKellar that he was saying goodbye— in December he had been diagnosed with stage …

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Favorite Japanese Super Foods: Sesame ごま

Goma ごま means sesame in Japanese, and this delicious superfood is everywhere to be found in Japanese cuisine.

Bunraku 文楽 Puppets at Osaka Hoe-Kago Gyoretsu Parade 宝恵かご行列

https://youtu.be/TS6VGTZ5O2E Bunraku Puppets, 文楽, also known as Ningyō jōruri 人形浄瑠璃, are a form of traditional Japanese Puppet Theatre that began in Osaka in the 17th century. At the January 2019 Hoe-Kago Gyoretsu Parade in Osaka, 宝恵かご行列, I enjoyed a special performance for this annual celebration of abundance. The parade is part of the Ebisu Festival and …

Kyoto’s Tofukuji Temple 東福寺 Bashō Haiku & Some Philosophy

The moss garden and pond at Tofukuji Buddhist Temple in Kyoto reminded me of the famous Basho haiku poem about a frog.

A Few Imported Artificial Necessities In Japan

A whole pile of new concepts and products have entered Japan since its days after WWII. A few I noticed: Dieting: Lots of junk food is sold to make you fat, then dieting products and gyms are sold back to you. Weddings: White weddings are all the rage and are expensive so keep the economy …

In Photos: Japanese Superfood Matcha

I’m delighted to see the matcha boom in the USA. I loved matcha in Japan, for its culture, antioxidant properties as well as the quiet-alertness it gave me rather than the crash of adrenaline-depleting caffeine in coffee. And of course it’s the star in The Art of Tea and all those tasty and mindful benefits. …

“Peace” 平和 Shodo Demonstration by Noriko Ukita

Watch Sensei Noriko Ukita of Kobe, Japan demonstrate the Kanji for Peace 平和 using Japanese calligraphy shodo.

Itadakimasu いただきます— Japanese Mindful Way of Saying Gratitude for Receiving Food

The use of the Japanese itadakimasu いただきます Is still said here at home in the USA to take a moment to be mindful and express gratitude for the food I receive. A slideshow with lots of photos of gorgeous Japanese food and dishes too!

Looking: Random Jumble Film No. 1 of Osaka, Japan

I’ve been putting together the myriad film clips I took in Japan and doing something with them. Learning curve for moi, reluctant Luddite, has been high, but I never give up! Hey, I can develop silver gelatin prints in a darkroom; digital, not so much. So enjoy Looking: Random Jumble Film No. 1 of Osaka, …

Discover Authentic Japan at Kuromon Ichiban Market in Osaka

Markets are a genuine way to experience the amazing food and culture of Japan.  Nishiki Market in Kyoto is not to be missed in Kansai, but for fewer tourists try Kuroman Ichiban Market in Osaka for an authentic Japanese experience.