重森三玲 Mirei Shigemori Residence and Rock Garden Kyoto

Rocks in Japan have long been seen as sacred, John Dougill of Green Shinto points out. In Shinto there are ‘spirit-bodies’ made of rock which form the object of worship, the idea being that ancestral spirits descend into them and are made manifest. These special rocks, known as iwakura, are hung with rice rope and treated …

Street Photography: Singapore 2019 by Sydney Solis

Street photography by Sydney Solis of Singapore during her visit in 2019.

In Photos: Traditional Japanese Najio-Gampi-shi 雁皮紙 Washi Paper Making 和紙

Traditional Japanese Najio-Gampi-shi washi paper-making process in Japan.

桜 Sakura: Beauty Alone Will Save Us

The cherry blossom season is in full bloom in most Japanese cities, and everybody is out because no more Covid restrictions for the first time in two years! This annual collective nature-gazing that reminds us of our connection to nature and eternal life is a celebration of beauty.

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.

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. …

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, …

Photo Haiku No. 1 – Azaleas in Spring

Photo Haiku No. 1 by Sydney Solis celebrates the beauty of azaleas.

Things I Miss About Living in Japan #No. 1 – Subways and Trains

Well, the karmic payback for whatever I did in my past life continues as I wait out Covid-19 here in Orlando, Florida, U.S.A. unable to return to Japan. So, I will fantasize and keep the memories alive. This blog post started out as a Top 10 reasons why I miss living in Japan, but I …

Prize-Winning Photograph – Tempozan Park Ferris Wheel in Osaka

You can purchase Sydney Solis's prize-winning Tempozan Ferris Wheel photo at Estudio Sol on Society6 It makes a great holiday gift!