Japanese culture | Connect Japan and the world through Japanese spirituality｜ Japan Cross Bridge｜Tokyo

2021-04-29

World heritage Mt. Fuji

World heritage -Mt. Fuji

Mt. Fuji is the highest mountain in Japan, the altitude of 3,776m.

It is well known not just in Japan but in the world as the world heritage site.

The reason Mt. Fuji was selected as a World Heritage Site, is not only for its value as a famous mountain of nature and beauty, but also for the faith held by the Japanese in the existence of Mt. Fuji and its value as a source of art born through Mt. Fuji.

Since ancient times, Japanese people felt divinity in Mt. Fuji and admired it as the symbol of spirituality.

They looked up Mt. Fuji and prayed.

How did Mt. Fuji become a mountain of prayer?

Mt. Fuji is the symbol of “mountain worship”.

“Sangaku-shinko ” 山岳信仰” is a faith worshipping mountains as being sacred.

So what is “Sangaku- shinko” -mountain worship?

Japan is an island country, of around 75% of the land being occupied with mountains and forests.

This fact already made people have strong connections with mountains.

In the old days, the souls of the dead who left their bodies were thought to climb mountains.

When Buddhism was transmitted, people started to believe the souls of the dead climbed the mountain and they would become Buddhas at the summit. As a result, the mountain has come to be regarded as the most sacred place where God and Buddha live together.

There are many shrines in and around mountains, and of course Mt. Fuji also has shrines called “asama shrine”浅間神社“ on its summit and around it as well.

That is because Mt.Fuji is God himself.

On the other hand, Mt. Fuji is a beautiful active volcano.

There has not been a major eruption in the last 300 years since the last eruption of 1707, but it has a history of being feared not only as beautiful but also as a scary mountain.

Asama Shrine, which is scattered throughout the Mt. Fuji area, also has a deep desire to calm the terrible disaster.

In Western Europe, nature, including mountains, should be conquered by the power of God. There is a big difference from Japan, which feels the sign of God and Buddha from rich nature and thinks that the mountain is a god.

That is the reason that Mt. Fuji is very special mountain for Japanese people.

And as a source of art, famous painters and artists left behind their works that were in some way in connection with Mt. Fuji, especially since Edo period.

From folding screen paintings, fusuma paintings, hanging scrolls, the pilgrimage mandala, which is the object of faith, and as well as the decoration of crafts such as costume patterns, daily fixtures, and furnishings, countless figures of Mt. Fuji were drawn.

I myself, love to draw beautiful Mt. Fuji.

Mt. Fuji has the power to captivate a person from a first look.

Mt. Fuji with sakura and Koi fish painting hanging scroll

Mt. Fuji at night on the lake — Japanese painting ZEN禅 with Mt. Fuji

Gorgeous kimono silk obi belt Japanese painting hanging scroll Mt. Fuji Kakejiku art

2021-04-212021-04-23

Japanese traditional painting art SUIBOKUGA 水墨画

Japanese traditional painting art SUIBOKUGO 水墨画

Suibokuga (水墨画)- Japanese traditional painting art

Suibokuga is sometimes called Zen Painting.

Sumie is painting with ink.

And Suibokuga is one of Sumie painting, with the gradation of dark black to light black.

Main tool for Suibokuga, “Sumi ink” is made from mainly soot, animal glue, and perfume.

We add a little water into an inkstone (suzuri) and rub sumi ink, it becomes dark black color.

By mixing this black ink with water, we can create the gradation color of black to light grey.

mixing ink with water to make gradation color

In Japan, Suibokuga is not just about paintings drawn with only ink, but we include some colored paintings drawn with mainly ink and some pigments also.

Sumie: The way of painting with ink was already in Japan since Nara period (710 – 794).

And Suibokuga style was brought in Japan at around Kamakura period (1185 – 1333), then became very popular especially at around Muromachi period (1336 – 1573), as Suibokuga style paintings were deeply connected with ZEN temples.

Until 14C, the subjects of Suibokuga were humans called “Jinbutsu ga” (人物画) , and flowers and birds called “Kacho ga” (花鳥画).

In 15C, “Sansuiga”(山水画) , meaning “mountains and water paintings” became popular.

Subjects of this Sansuiga is nature, such as mountains and water falls, rocks, trees etc.

I love to paint Japanese nature and symbols in Suibokuga.

Sakura cherry trees, bamboo tees, pine trees, Mt. Fuji, crane birds, and koi fish.

Sometimes tigers and Ryujin dragon god as well.

Tigers and Ryujin dragon god are also very popular subjects for Suibokuga.

I love to express Japanese beauty with the amazing gradation of ink with some colors.

That is my Suibokuga.

Sakura cherry blossoms painting art Kimono silk kakejiku

Japanese calligraphy art bamboo hanging scroll

Extra-large Mt.Fuji and Japanese Pine tree hanging scroll, Impressive landscape ZEN style wall decor

Gorgeous Kimono silk obi Japanese painting Mt. Fuji, crane birds, pine tree wall decor

Japanese painting calligraphy art Kakejiku style wall decoration — Japanese painting of Koi fish in ZEN circle, Enso

Japanese painting calligraphy art hanging scroll Kakejiku wall decor crane birds, Mt.Fuji, Japanese pine tree

Japanese painting Tiger and bamboo ink art kakejiku

Unique tiger & bamboo Japanese painting Kakejiku hanging scroll

Extra long Drago Ryujin calligraphy art kakejiku hanging scroll

2021-04-162021-04-16

Japanese traditional Emakimono 絵巻物 scrolls and landscape scenery scroll

Making Emakimono style Japanese scenery painting art scroll

Emakimono style landscape Japanese scenery painting art scroll

Japanese EMAKIMONO style hanging scroll

First of all, what is EMAKIMONO??

Emakimono – “E” means “pictures”, “makimono” means “scroll” in Japanese.

Emakimono is a Japanese traditional horizontal scroll which tells stories with pictures.

From right side, we unroll the scroll to the left, and illustrations tell you Japanese narrative.

So Emakimono usually is a few meters long, sometimes even 20 meters long!

The oldest Emakimono that still exists is believed to made in Nara period, AD 710 to 794.

I made Emakimono style scroll with Japanese scenery painting.

To make this unique scroll, I used Precious Kimono silk obi belt for both ends.

It is woven with silk and making gorgeous patterns.

In the center painting area, I used white silk kimono fabric.

This white silk fabric is thin and soft, so I attached Special Japanese paper called “urauchi youshi”, on the back to make it stronger and harder.

This special paper has glue on one side and by ironing, I can attach this paper to the silk fabric.

I made this scroll with 2 meters long, so this can be hung on the wall in the rooms easily.

This Emakimono style horizontal scroll allows me to draw Japanese landscape scenery.

I really love to draw Japanese symbols, especially Mt. Fuji, Sakura cherry blossoms, Bamboo, and Koi fish.

Those symbols express Japanese beauty, and every time I draw them, I find myself being in love with them more and more.

In the past, I painted these symbols a lot on Usual Kakejiku hanging scrolls (Vertical scroll), but especially this horizontal scroll has enough space for me to draw all in here.

That’s what I wanted to make.

2021-04-102021-04-10

-ICHIGO ICHIE- ZEN spirit and Japanese tea ceremony

“ICHIGO ICHIE”(一期一会)

Have you ever heard phrase “ICHIGO ICHIE”(一期一会) in Japanese?

This is ZEN spirit.

It means, “once in a life time meeting”.

This spirit comes from the Japanese tea ceremony.

The Tea ceremony has a deep connection with ZEN spirits.

When I tried the Japanese tea ceremony for the first time, I was surprised that the tea ceremony has so many rules.

Before, I used to think the tea ceremony was just a simple act of making green tea.

But every single movement has to be done followed by rules, such as, which leg you use to step into the room with first, how you hold the tools, where you put your tools, in which angle you move your arms, and how you open the tea container, how you hold the whisk and how you stir, and so on…

It’s just about a process that takes only a few minutes, however there are hundreds of etiquettes.

I was overwhelmed when I took part in the ceremony.

Then I started to wonder, why there are so many rules…

The tea ceremony teacher told me this was because of “ICHIGO ICHIE”(一期一会) – “ZEN spirit.”

Tea ceremony is an occasion when you enjoy every single moment.

The people gathering, the weather, the place, the sound, every element gets together and makes it an unforgettable event.

There is the spirit of “OMOTENASHI”(おもてなし), meaning Japanese Hospitality in this ceremony.

To make the most of the moment with the greatest hospitality, the tea master tries to do her or his best of making green tea.

For example, purifying the tools followed by the rules, the tea master shows respect to the guests.

That is the reason why there are so many rules.

By following the rules, the best moment is made, and the guests and the master can experience a great “once in a life time moment”.

“ICHIGO ICHIE”(一期一会) teaches us that the exact each moment we meet with others in our life never comes back and only one time, so we should make the most of it and give our best hospitality with appreciation.

2021-03-052021-03-28

Bamboo forests in Tokyo – hidden bamboo forest spots

Tokyo bamboo forest Travel guide hidden spots

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.

Tokyo bamboo forest travel guide Suzume-no-yado Ryokuchi park

Tokyo Bamboo forest travel guide Suzume-no-yado Rhokuchi park

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.

Tokyo Bamboo forest guide Roka Koshu-en gardens

Tokyo Bamboo forest travel guide Roka Koshu-en Gardens

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.

Tokyo Bamboo forest travel guide Senzokuike Myofuku ji temple — Tokyo Bamboo forest travel guide Senzokuike Myofukuji temple

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.

Tokyo Bamboo forest travel guide Todoroki Keikoku

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.

Extra large landscape bamboo forest Japanese painting art wall decoration

Extra large crystal glass 3D miniature bamboo forest necklace

Japanese painting calligraphy art hanging scroll Kakejiku wall decor bamboo

Japanese painting calligraphy art hanging scroll Kakejiku wall decor Koi fish and bamboo — Japanese painting calligraphy art hanging scroll Kakejiku wall decor Koi fish and Sakura

Kakejiku style Japanese bamboo painting small wall decoration

Please visit our Etsy shop for those items and more.

Etsy.com- JapanCrossBridge

2021-03-042021-03-28

Tokyo Sakura – hidden cherry blossom spots

Tokyo Sakura cherry blossom travel guide

Cherry blossom season has come!

It’s a little early for popular kind Sakura “Somei Yoshino”(It’s March 4^thtoday), but different kind of Sakura called “Kawazu Zakura” is already blooming in Tokyo.

There are lots of famous spots for Sakura viewing in Tokyo, but we would like to share some not-so-noticed Sakura spots in Tokyo.

These spots are in central Tokyo, so if you are living in Tokyo, or if you are staying in Tokyo, they must be easy places to visit.

Cycling to these places are fun day trips as well!

Today, we would like to share some places where you can enjoy early kind Sakura “Kawazu Zakura”.

Best time to visit for this Sakura is in February, from mid-February to late February.

First place is famous park in Shibuya, Tokyo, called “Yoyogi Park”.

This park is well known as popular “Somei Yoshino” Sakura, but there are some “Kawazu Sakura” too. If you visit there in February, you can enjoy these early Sakura.

Second Sakura spot is “Ebara shrine”, which is located beside Meguro river, near “Shimbamba station” (Keikyu line).

Tokyo Sakura cherry blossom spot travel guide Ebara shrine

Sakura here is another different kind called “Kanzakura”, and is the earliest Sakura in Tokyo.

You can see this Sakura starts blooming in early February!

Third spot is “Rinshi-no-mori park” in Shinagawa ward.

Tokyo Sakura cherry blossom spot travel guide Rinshi-no-mori park

This is a huge park, and just walking/cycling inside this park is also fun.

“Kawazu Zakura” trees in this park are big and very gorgeous!

You can enjoy having picnic under the cherry blossoms.

Next Sakura spot is “Happo-en” in Minato ward.

“Happo-en” is a luxury event hall for weddings and parties.

Tokyo Sakura cherry blossom spot travel guide Happo-en

This has a big and gorgeous Japanese garden.

You can go inside to see this garden for free.

This Japanese garden is worth visiting, having a big Koi pond and many precious Bonzai(Bonsai) trees.

There are so many “Nishiki goi” Koi fish swimming in the koi pond!

You can enjoy this garden in any season.

Lastly, we would like to tell you about “Todoroki Keikoku” in Setagaya ward.

Tokyo Sakura cherry blossom place travel guide Todoroki keikoku

This “Todoroki Keikoku” park is about 30 minutes bicycle ride from central Tokyo (Meguro).

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.

We hope you will add these spots to your “Tokyo explore list”, if you are planning to come visit Tokyo sometime in the future.

We will share not-so-noticed spots for “Somei Yoshino” Sakura in Tokyo soon!

Photos below are our Sakura jewelry.

You can enjoy your own cherry blossom in accessories.

Please visit our shop on Etsy, JapanCrossBridge!

Sakura cherry blossom jewelry on Etsy shop

Sakura cherry blossom ornament Etsy shop

2021-03-022021-03-28

Kakejiku style wall decoration – Fukuro obi belt

Fukuro obi Kakejiku style Japanese painting art Crane bird, Sakura, Koi fish

Fukuro obi Kakejiku style wall decor Mt.FUji Sakura Koi

Fukuro obi Kakejiku style wall decor blue koi and nishiki goi with Sakura

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.

Fukuro obi belt Kakejiku style wall decor Koi fish and pine tree

Fukuro obi belt Kakejiku style wall decor Sakura and Koi

Fukuro obi belt Kakejiku style wall decor Koi Sakura bamboo

Fukuro obi belt Kakejiku style wall decor YOZAKURA sakura in full moon night

Fukuro obi belt Kakejiku style wall decor Mt.Fuji, crane bird, pine tree

2021-02-042021-03-28

Japanese Kakejiku – good luck item

“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 painting calligraphy art hanging scroll Kakejiku wall decor

Unique Dragon Ryujin Japanese painting Kakejiku hanging scroll

Red Mt. Fuji with crane birds calligraphy art

2021-01-242021-03-28

Japanese cultural icon Mt. Fuji

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.

Japanese painting calligraphy art hanging scroll Kakejiku wall decor -landscape Mt. Fuji, crane birds, Sakura

Japanese painting ZEN Mt. Fuji in full moon and Sakura hanging scroll Kakejiku wall decoration

Japanese painting calligraphy art hanging scroll Kakejiku wall decor crane bird, Mt. Fuji, Sakura

Gorgeous Kimono silk obi belt Japanese painting Mt.Fuji, Sakura cherry blossoms & crane birds hanging scroll

Precious Kimono silk obi belt Japanese painting Mt.Fuji & crane birds in full moon Sakura night hanging scroll

2020-10-232021-03-28

Japanese precious Kimono Obi belt

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.