Connect Japan and the world through Japanese spirituality｜ Japan Cross Bridge｜Tokyo
Express Japanese art and culture to the world
I had a great opportunity to dedicate my RYU dragon Kakejiku with live painting at Enno-ji temple in Fukuoka 2022, October 4th.
It was a wonderful serene atmosphere inside the main hall of Buddha.
The priest recited sutra for one hour, and I painted RYU dragon on my Kakejiku while he was reciting.
I am so grateful that I had this great opportunity.
Thank you so much.
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
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.
Finding small Kyoto in Tokyo – hidden Bamboo forest in Tokyo
Bamboo trees symbolize Japanese ZEN culture.
When you are in Bamboo forest, you feel very calm and helps you meditate.
Many bamboo forests are in Kyoto, or secluded area.
But you can find bamboo forests in central Tokyo too.
We would like to share some hidden bamboo forests in Tokyo.
If you are living in Tokyo, or if you visit Tokyo, you can experience small Kyoto in these small bamboo forest.
It is a good cycling day trip as well.
First bamboo forest is “Suzume-no-Yado Ryokuchi park” in Himonya, Meguro ward.
This park has many tall bamboo trees and traditional Japanese style house.
The traditional Japanese style house is open from 9:30 to 15:30.
But bamboo trees area is open for 24 hours.
Second bamboo forest is “Roka Koshun-en Gardens” in Setagaya ward.
It is located near “Roka-Koen station” of Keio line.
It is about 40-50 minutes cycling from central Tokyo.
This park is free, but open hour is 9:00-16:30.
There are lots of tall bamboo trees, cherry trees and a memorial house of a famous Japanese writer, “Roka Tokutomi”.
You can go inside this memorial house, which has Japanese old style, and very interesting.
Third bamboo forest is “Senzoku Ike” in Ota ward.
It is located beside “Senzokuike station” of Tokyu Ikegami line.
There is a big pond with Koi fish, cherry trees and a shrine.
Beside this park, there is a temple called “Myofuku ji”.
This temple has small but beautiful bamboo trees.
Lastly, we want to talk about “Todoroki Keikoku” in Setagaya ward.
This “Todoroki Keikoku” park is about 30-40 minutes bicycle ride from central Tokyo.
Or you can go there by train using “Oimachi line” to “Todoroki station”.
In there, you can enjoy nature here, with walking beside the river.
“Keikoku” means valley, and this is a unique small valley that you can experience in Tokyo.
This place has a temple and a Japanese garden area.
In the Japanese garden, there are some bamboo trees, plum blossoms and cherry blossoms.
Those places are bamboo forest spots that we discovered in Tokyo.
We hope you will add these spots to your “Tokyo explore list”!
Photos below are our Bamboo items.
Please visit our Etsy shop for those items and more.
Fukuro Obi belts are precious obi belts for Japanese Kimono.
They are usually made with silk, having Japanese patterns.
Shiny silk threads create beautiful and gorgeous looks.
These obi belts can become gorgeous decorations by themselves.
Kakejiku style wall decorations using these Fukuro obi are made to enjoy their own beauty.
Small Japanese paintings are not the main stars here.
Gorgeous Fukuro obi belts are the main stars.
This Kakejiku style wall decorations have their uniqueness- with the combination of Fukuro obi and Japanese painting.
“Japanese Kakejiku (Kakemono)“ -good luck item
“Japanese Kakejiku (Kakemono)” is a hanging scroll used to display and exhibit paintings and calligraphy art.
Traditional Japanese rooms usually have a “Tokonoma”- a special space (alcove) to display “Kakejiku”.
Most traditional houses used to have at least one Kakejiku to hang in Tokonoma.
Kakejiku has been a well-known cultural item in Japan for long time.
There are a lot of themes for Kakejiku.
Especially paintings have good luck meanings are popular.
“Sunsui ga” – Nature/ Japanese scenery of mountains, river, water fall, trees, rocks
These nature items have important meanings based on ZEN, giving us a relaxing ideal ZEN world.
“Seasonal flowers/plants” – To enjoy four seasons even inside the house, we choose seasonal flowers/plants.
“Tiger” – Tiger is believed to protect against misfortune and brings a good luck. Tiger’s eyes with glares are toward evil.
“Dragon Ryujin” – Dragon is called “Ryujin” and is a god in Japan. It is a symbol of promotion, and Dragon Ryujin going up to the sky has the positive and good luck power.
Mt. Fuji – the highest symbolic mountain in Japan, and being registered as a world heritage.
Mt. Fuji is well known as a sacred mountain. Especially red color Mt. Fuji in the red sunrise is believed to have the strong good luck power.
There are more themes for Kakejiku, and all have special meanings.
By hanging these good luck Kakejiku, the house and the people living there are protected against evil.
Japanese cultural icon – Mt. Fuji
If you have an interest in Japan, you must have heard this name “Mt. Fuji”.
Mt. Fuji is the highest mountain in Japan.
It’s 3,776.24m (12,389ft), located on Honshu.
Mt. Fuji is an active volcano, last erupted over 300 years ago.
The reason Mt. Fuji is very famous as cultural icon is because of its beautiful shape as well.
It stands on the flat wide area “Kanto plain” with symmetrical cone, and snow-capped on its top with the contrast of white and blue.
Because of its unique shape and height, it is very easy to be seen from even far away.
On a clear day in winter time, Mt. Fuji can be seen from greater Tokyo.
Even a glance of Mt. Fuji makes many Japanese people very happy.
I think that is because Mt. Fuji has been believed to be a symbol of god from its serene appearance.
Looking at Mt. Fuji is a very lucky thing.
Since long time ago, Japanese people loved Mt. Fuji, and Mt. Fuji has been depicted in art and photography.
We find Mt. Fuji in many Japanese paintings, Kakejiku hanging scrolls, ink paintings ”Sumie”, etc.
I love to paint Mt. Fuji as well.
Mt. Fuji has different attractions in different seasons and time.
This simple, yet perfect cone-shaped mountain never stops attracting many people.
Kimono is Japanese traditional fashion and culture.
All Japanese people used to wear Kimono every day long time ago, and Kimono was our clothes.
But we wear Kimono only occasionally now, especially on special occasions such as weddings, new years, come of age day cerebration, or tea ceremony.
And Kimono we wear on those special occasions are really gorgeous.
Depends on the seasons, Kimono fabric can be silk, cotton, or wool.
Kimono Obi Belt is inevitable to wear Kimono.
Obi belts are quite wide and stands out in the center of our body, so it is very important.
There are different kinds of Obi belts, called Nagoya-Obi, Fukuro-Obi, Han Haba- Obi.
Han-Haba Obi is used for daily Kimono or Yukata (summer cotton Kimono), and casual.
Nagoya-Obi also can be used for daily Kimono, or Japanese cultural practice such as tea ceremony or flower arrangement.
Fukuro-Obi is the most gorgeous belt and is for weddings or cerebrations.
When you look at Fukuro-Obi, you will see how gorgeous, shiny it is and the pattern is an amazing art.
When you touch Fukuro-Obi, you can feel that Fukuro-Obi is really precious.
Fukuro-Obi can cost a fortune, sometimes over one million yen.
Fukuro Obi is woven with shiny gold, silver thread, silk thread by artisans.
This is totally Japanese amazing culture.
When this precious Kimono Obi belt turns into hanging scroll, it starts another new life.
We are honored to be able to make gorgeous hanging scrolls with them.
I am obsessed with Sakura cherry blossoms.
Sakura is Japanese symbol.
We admire Sakura cherry blossoms in many ways.
Sakura is connected to our Japanese culture deeply.
Since ancient time, Japanese people enjoyed watching Sakura, called “Ohanami” (meaning “watch flowers”)
Spring time, under Sakura trees were full of people, sitting and having picnic.
This “Ohanami” habit is still very popular in Japan.
We see “Sakura forecast” (when cherry blossom start to bloom) on the TV news.
When Sakura starts to bloom, people start going out to have picnic under the Sakura trees.
This is our major Spring event.
We also eat Sakura flowers and leaves.
Pickled Sakura flowers and leaves are used for sweets or tea.
Tea leaf container or other tools are made using Sakura trees.
We have music about Sakura, called “SAKURA”, and all Japanese should know this song.
We have color called “SAKURA color”, which is light sensitive pink.
Sakura is used as Japanese symbol in many situations.
Sakura is very familiar flower for Japanese people.
Sakura cherry blossom time is very short, about one week.
When it starts blooming, it goes very quick to be full bloom, and as soon as it becomes full bloom, leaves start to come out and flowers start falling.
So the short period in full bloom and the beauty of Sakura flowers are often likened to the fragility of human life.
That is why cherry blossoms are symbol of beauty and transience.
I love Sakura, and cherry blossom time makes me excited.
Painting Sakura makes me happy and this is a good meditation for me.
That is why I keep painting Sakura.
