YouTube videos of Kyoto & Nara temples and shrines visit

We published our Tokyo/Japan Explore spots YouTube videos, about “Kyoto & Nara trip”.

There are 8 videos about Kyoto & Nara temples and shrines visit.

They are about visiting not well known popular tourist spots (some are famous already though), but more meaningful and powerful power spots.

By visiting those places, we Japanese believe we can connect to our guardians and will get better luck.

During my visit there, I had great opportunities to dedicate my RYU dragon kakejiku to Oomiwa shrine in Nara, and to Kifune shrine in Kyoto.

We hope these videos will give you some ideas of places to visit when you come to Japan!

Nara videos

Kyoto videos

2022 Shihomi Solo Exhibition in Tokyo “ZEN・SAKURA EXHIBITION”

2022 Shihomi Solo Exhibition YouTube
2022 March solo exhibition in Tokyo
2022 March solo exhibition in Tokyo

I love to make cherry blossom themed artworks, so I wanted to hold my solo exhibition during the cherry blossom season.  I am really grateful that I could hold my first solo exhibition in a nostalgic Japanese old house near Meguro river, Tokyo, where cherry blossoms are really famous.  This exhibition is already one of my best memories.

2022 Shihomi Homma Solo exhibition
2022 Shihomi Homma Solo exhibition

2022 Shihomi Homma Solo exhibition
2022 Shihomi Homma Solo exhibition
2022 Shihomi Homma Solo exhibition
2022 Shihomi Homma Solo exhibition

Stop the war, Save Ukraine citizens and children

Support Ukraine necklace
Support Ukraine necklace
Support Ukraine necklace

Save Ukraine children necklace.
Spring tiny yellow dry flowers with blue sky is making Ukraine flag color.
Praying for Ukraine civilians and children’s safety.
50% of this price goes to the Ukrainian victims through “Save The Children”.
Really heartbroken to see many children losing their lives, parents, family, houses.
Stop this war!

ウクライナ支援のためのネックレスを作成しました。
ウクライナ国旗カラーを青い空と黄色い菜の花のイメージで表現しています。
今ウクライナで市民が犠牲になり、小さな子供が命を落とし、親を失って、寒さと恐怖と空腹と喉の渇きで泣いています。
泣きながら小さな命を落としていることに胸が締め付けられる思いです。
天災なら世界中から救助がやってくるのに、人災のために助けられないなんて、こんな無残な話があっていいのだろうか。
小さなことでも自分にできることは何かないだろうかと考えています。
一日も早く戦争を止め、一人でも多くの市民子供が救われますように願い続けます。
この売上の50%はセーブザチルドレンのウクライナ危機へ募金されます。

https://www.etsy.com/listing/1180605822/save-ukraine-children-necklace-stand-for?ref=shop_home_active_1

#stopwar #stopthewar #saveukraine #supportukraine #helpukraine #saveukraine🇺🇦 #savekids #donate #donation #savethechildren #etsy #necklace #prayforpeace

https://www.etsy.com/listing/1180605822/save-ukraine-children-necklace-stand-for?ref=shop_home_active_1

Support Ukraine necklace
Click this photo jumps to Etsy shop “Support Ukraine necklace” page

Shihomi Homma ZEN SAKURA Exhibition is coming soon

Shihomi Homma ZEN Sakura exhibition
Shihomi Homma ZEN Sakura exhibition
Shihomi Homma ZEN Sakura exhibition

“Shihomi Homma ZEN•Sakura Exhibition” is at “rusu” near Meguro river on March 27-April 2.
Admission free.

Gallery “rusu”
9 mins walk from JR Meguro Station
3-4-9 Shimomeguro, Meguro ku, Tokyo
March 27(Sun) – April 2(Sat)
12:00-19:00

桜の季節に禅桜展を開催。

目黒駅の目黒川からほど近い昔懐かしい民家のrusuにて、個展を開催させていただく運びとなりました。
日本の桜、禅をテーマにした水墨画掛け軸などのアートを展示いたします。
これまでJapanCrossBridge(日本と海外の架け橋)として、日本の美や象徴をモチーフとしたアート作品を海外へ発信して参りました。
コロナ渦の中、日本国内でも日本の桜をテーマとした作品を桜の時期に一人でも多くの方にご覧いただければ幸いです。
お花見へ目黒川お越しの際は是非お立ち寄りください。

ギャラリー”rusu”  JR目黒駅より徒歩9分
東京都目黒区下目黒3-4-9
3/27(日)〜4/2(土) 12:00-19:00
入場無料

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/japancrossbridge/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/japan_cross_bridge/

個展情報掲載サイト  Exhibition information site

http://artmeguri.com/zensakura/

https://www.share-art.jp/event/views/292794

https://tokyoartnavi.jp/exhibition/16122/

https://koten-navi.com/node/142211

The difference between RYUJIN (龍神) and Dragon

Gold RYUJIN dragon painting art

RYUJIN dragon Suibokuga painting
RYUJIN dragon Suibokuga painting

The difference between 龍(Ryu) and Dragon

I started painting 龍(Ryu) and now I am attracted to 龍(Ryu).

When we try to translate 龍(Ryu) into English, it is often said “dragon”.

However, dragons in European countries and 龍(Ryu) in Eastern countries like Japan are totally different.

In eastern countries and Japan, 龍(Ryu) is called “RYUJIN” and it is a god.

On the other hand, in European countries, dragon is a bad evil creature.

They look alike but they are not the same.

Dragon has wings and its face is more like a lizard, on the other hand, RYUJIN’s face is more like a snake.

What is in common is, they are both imaginary reptile creatures.

Personally, I like Japanese RYUJIN better, as RYUJIN has a longer body and looks cool.

Japanese RYUJIN can often be seen at temples or shrines.

At the entrance of temples and shrines, there is a water running spot, called “Temizusha”(手水舎).

This is a place to cleanse our hands and mouth before entering temples and shrines.

There, you can see water is running from RYUJIN’s mouth.

Temizusha at temples
Temizusha at temples

RYUJIN has been believed to be a god which brings rain and brings good harvest.

We see many Kakejiku paintings of RYUJIN going up to the sky, surrounded with rain clouds which RYUJIN created by itself.

There is also a sacred ball which RYUJIN holds.

It is called “Cintamani stone”, which makes your dream come true.

RYUJIN god is a very precious, good luck symbol.

That is why we have RYUJIN god Kakejiku hanging scrolls hung in the house since ancient times.

By the way, why does good luck god have that scary face…?

Hanging RYUJIN Kakejiku hanging scroll doesn’t make kids get scared at night…?

But there is a reasonable reason.

In order to fight and get away the evil spirit, RYUJIN has such a scary face.

Same as Tiger Kakejiku.

We often see Tiger glared at us with its powerful scary eyes on Kakejiku.

That is to fight and get away the evil spirit.

Anyway, I am attracted to RYUJIN,

and my RYUJIN art is increasing little by little…

“RYUJIN god is a god of water.  Human beings cannot live without water. That means we human cannot live without RYUJIN god.”

Drawing RYUJIN god is a great practice of life for me.

RYUJIN dragon Suibokuga painting Kakejiku hanging scroll
RYUJIN dragon Suibokuga painting Kakejiku hanging scroll

RYUJIN Dragon Suibokuga painting board art
RYUJIN Dragon Suibokuga painting board art

Gold RYUJIN dragon painting art
Gold RYUJIN dragon painting art

Kimono silk Kakejiku of RYUJIN Dragon Suibokuga art
Kimono silk Kakejiku of RYUJIN Dragon Suibokuga art

ZEN art exhibition Sagami Ono

Zen art exhibition Suibokuga painting kakejiku

ZEN art exhibition Sagami Ono
ZEN art exhibition Sagami Ono 2021

ZEN art exhibition Sagami Ono finished!

We are grateful that we had this opportunity to exhibit.

Thank you for everyone who came to this exhibition!

Zen art exhibition Suibokuga painting kakejiku
Zen art exhibition Suibokuga painting kakejiku

ZEN art exhibition Sagami Ono
ZEN art exhibition Sagami Ono

ZEN art exhibition Sagami Ono
ZEN art exhibition Sagami Ono

ZEN art exhibtion Sagami Ono
ZEN art exhibtion Sagami Ono

ZEN art exhibition

ZEN art exhibition information

ZEN art exhibition information
ZEN art exhibition information

We are participating in ZEN art exhibition, coming November 17th~21st, 2021.

It is held at bono Sagami-Ono, South mall 3rd floor, (beside Sagami-Ono station)

Sagamihara city, Kanagawa prefecture : about 30 mins by Odakyu-line rapid-express from Shinjuku station

November 17, 15:00-17:30

November 18~20, 10:00-17:30

November 21, 10:00-14:30

Free admission

Our artwork will be 3 Kakejiku hanging scroll Suibokuga Japanese paintings, with my name Shihomi Homma (本間志穂美)(Japan Cross Bridge).

I myself will try to be at the venue. I hope to see you there!

ZEN circle -Enso-

Golden Enso and Mt. Fuji Japanese painting Kakejiku

zen circle Enso Japanese painting kakejiku
zen circle Enso Japanese painting kakejiku

ZEN circle ENSO

Zen circle is called “Enso”.(円相)

Sometimes different “Kanji”(Chinese character) 円窓 is used for “Enso”, represents “round window”, which means our mind’s window.

Enso is one of Sumi ink painting (Japanese calligraphy) in Zen.

Usually it is drawn in one brushstroke, and is sometimes called “Ichienzu”(一円図)、”Ichienso”(一円相).

~Enso symbolizes absolute enlightenment, strength, elegance, the universe and “mu”(無)(meaning void).  It is characterized by a minimalism born of Japanese aesthetics.~

*Quaoted from Wikipedia

Japanese aesthetics seeking for simplicity is called Wabi-sabi.

Wabi expresses the happiness and mental abundance in the imperfect (hard) circumstances.

Sabi expresses the beauty we can find in imperfection.

So Wabi can be a symbol of inner abundance, and Sabi can be a symbol of outer beauty(simplicity).

When you draw Enso, you have to draw it in one brushstroke, meaning there is no time to stop, no chance to fix.

It is the moment when the mind should be free, and let go of everything.

This is ZEN meditation practice.

In other words, this spiritual practice of drawing Enso is the practice of self-realization.

Sometimes Enso circle is open, which means incomplete.

This incomplete allows more movement, development and practice.

When Enso circle is closed, which represents perfection.

However, how you look at Enso circle and what you have in your mind by looking at it, is totally up to you.

Enso circle is simple, yet really profound and teaches us a lot.

It never stops attracting us, because our entire life is a long trip of self-realization.

I love to draw Enso circle, but at the same time, I love to look at Enso.

Looking at Enso circle is a good meditation.

Gold ZEN circle Enso Japanese painting Kakejiku hanging scroll
Gold ZEN circle Enso Japanese painting Kakejiku hanging scroll

Zen circle Enso with Japanese Sakura and Pine tree hanging scroll
Zen circle Enso with Japanese Sakura and Pine tree hanging scroll

Zen circle with Koi fish painting
Zen circle with Koi fish painting

Extra large Japanese Suibokuga painting Zen circle Enso and Bamboo Kakejiku
Extra large Japanese Suibokuga painting Zen circle Enso and Bamboo Kakejiku

Golden Enso and Mt. Fuji Japanese painting Kakejiku
Golden Enso and Mt. Fuji Japanese painting Kakejiku

Kimono silk Zen circle Enso and Sakura Kakejiku
Kimono silk Zen circle Enso and Sakura Kakejiku

Extra long Zen circle Enso and bamboo Suibokuga painting kakejiku
Extra long Zen circle Enso and bamboo Suibokuga painting kakejiku