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

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

World heritage Mt. Fuji

World heritage Mt. Fuji picture in Suibokuga
World heritage Mt. Fuji picture in Suibokuga
World heritage Mt. Fuji picture in Suibokuga

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.

asama shrine
asama shrine
asama shrine
asama shrine

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.

drawing Mt. Fuji in Suibokuga
drawing Mt. Fuji in Suibokuga
Mt.Fuji in the sunrise painting
Mt.Fuji in the sunrise painting
Mt. Fuji with sakura and Koi fish painting hanging scroll
Mt. Fuji with sakura and Koi fish painting hanging scroll
Mt. Fuji at night on the lake
Japanese painting ZEN禅 with Mt. Fuji
Japanese painting hanging scroll Mt. Fuji Kakejiku art
Gorgeous kimono silk obi belt Japanese painting hanging scroll Mt. Fuji Kakejiku art

 

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
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.

Japanese traditional Emakimono 絵巻物
Japanese traditional Emakimono 絵巻物
Old Emakimono
Old Emakimono

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.

oldest EMAKIMONO
one of the oldest EMAKIMONO

I made Emakimono style scroll with Japanese scenery painting.

Making Emakimono style Japanese scenery painting art scroll
Making Emakimono style Japanese scenery painting art scroll

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

It is woven with silk and making gorgeous patterns.

precious Kimono silk obi belt
precious Kimono silk obi belt

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

white silk kimono fabric
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.

Painting landscape Japanese scenery
Painting landscape Japanese 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.

The reason why cherry trees were planted

Japanese painting art Sakura cherry blossoms
Japanese painting art Sakura cherry blossoms
Japanese painting art Sakura cherry blossoms

The reason why cherry trees were planted.

Have you ever thought about the reason why cherry trees were planted?

In Japan, we can see so many cherry trees in everywhere.

Many of them are really old, few hundred years old.

An interesting point is, many cherry trees are planted by rivers.

This has a reasonable reason.

Ancient Japanese people planted cherry trees by rivers, so that many people would come and see the beautiful cherry blossoms.

They knew that many people visiting and walking there, would help make the soil harden, and help make the solid river bank.

So cherry trees were planted as a flood control measures.

Another interesting point is, that many cherry trees are in shrines and temples as well.

Shrines are Shintoism, and originally have deep relations with pine trees, but not with cherry trees.

However, people thought cherry blossoms’ gracefulness symbolizes the samurai spirit, and many shrines preferred to plant cherry trees as well.

Temples are Buddhism which has the deep relations with flowers.

They admired cherry blossoms as well as plum blossoms.

We cannot talk about Japanese history without the relations with temples.

Muromachi era, Sengoku era, around 13C to 16C, many temples already had cherry trees.

Famous Samurai and shogun enjoyed Sakura viewing “Ohanami” since then.

In Japan, people enjoy Sakura viewing “Ohanami” since ancient time, and this is a Japanese culture.

Many famous Sakura spots in Kyoto and Nara are in temples and shrines.

In Tokyo too, many famous Sakura spots are in temples and shrines, as well as by rivers, or near the water.

Ueno park, where many people visit for Sakura viewing, was once a temple.

Imperial palace is surrounded with moat.

Meguro river, Kanda river, Sumida river, Tamagawa river, Arakawa river, are all famous Sakura spots.

 

Our Japanese painting art Sakura cherry blossoms series
Our Japanese painting art Sakura cherry blossoms series
Our Sakura cherry blossoms jewelry series
Our Sakura cherry blossoms jewelry series
Our Sakura cherry blossoms jewelry series
Our Sakura cherry blossoms jewelry series
Our Sakura cherry blossoms jewelry series
Our Sakura cherry blossoms jewelry series
Our Japanese painting art Sakura cherry blossoms series
Our Japanese painting art Sakura cherry blossoms series

Bamboo forests in Tokyo – hidden bamboo forest spots

Tokyo bamboo forest Travel guide hidden spots
Tokyo bamboo forest Travel guide hidden 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 Ryokuchi park
Tokyo Bamboo forest travel guide Suzume-no-yado Rhokuchi 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 guide Roka Koshu-en gardens
Tokyo Bamboo forest travel 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
Tokyo bamboo forest Travel guide hidden spots
Tokyo bamboo forest hidden spots 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
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 landscape bamboo forest Japanese painting art wall decoration
Extra large crystal glass 3D miniature bamboo forest necklace
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 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
Kakejiku style Japanese bamboo painting small wall decoration
Japanese calligraphy art bamboo hanging scroll
Japanese calligraphy art bamboo hanging scroll

Please visit our Etsy shop for those items and more.

Etsy.com- JapanCrossBridge