Light and Shadow

Light and Shadow

Monday, 18 June 2018

There are many places I really love in my own city, not many of them are actually that difficult to get to but I never really get to visit them any more. You know when you know that you can visit any time you tend to leave it till later and then you would just forget. Or maybe that is just my excuse.
Hara Museum has always been my favourite, it's small, has a lovely garden, beautiful old architecture, and it's located somewhere that you really have to aim to get there. I visited there last summer after many years, nothing really had changed but one big change I noticed was that we were now allowed to take photos inside. Most of the Japanese museums didn't allow photography inside but it's changing and you'd notice that you can take photos at many of the places, often with some limitations.
I don't remember how hot that day was when we visited here but it looks like it was a very hot day, that light and shadow tell it don't they.

Comments: 6

KAWAI KANJIRO'S HOUSE

KAWAI KANJIRO'S HOUSE

Tuesday, 1 September 2015

Old and beautiful things, houses and architecture always attract me so much. If it is hidden away on a narrow backstreet it's perfect.

Kawai Kanjiro is a Japanese master potter, sculptor, calligrapher, designer, poet and writer who is also known as a key figure in the Mingei (Japanese folk art) movement in the 1920s. In the Kawai Kanjiro's House, which is Kanjiro's home made into a museum, it shows the incredible beauty that he lived with. The garden, a little tea room and a big kiln at the back are all inside this wonderful gem of a place and I was deeply struck with admiration... Could easily spend the whole afternoon here but the cold January weather (of Kyoto!) and the lack of time helped us end our exploration.

Kawai Kanjiro's House Website (Japanese)
Kawai Kanjiro's House information on Welcome to Kyoto Website (English)



.

Comments: 2

HOTEL OKURA TOKYO

HOTEL OKURA TOKYO

Tuesday, 14 July 2015

End of another Tokyo gem coming really close now....

Yes their main building -a beautiful 60s architecture- will be closed at the end of August and then will be demolished to be replaced to a modern high-rise building. (the hotel will remain)
If you are interested go ahead and read about this by Monocle -->http://savetheokura.com/

It's only about 12 minutes walk from my shop, so hopefully I can go back one weekend morning before it closes at the end of next month. If I can survive the heat that is though....

Hotel Okura Tokyo


.

Comments: 4

MYONICHIKAN BY FRANK LLOYD WRIGHT

MYONICHIKAN BY FRANK LLOYD WRIGHT

Thursday, 3 October 2013

Did you know there is Frank Lloyd Wright architecture in Tokyo? There is, in Ikebukuro. Myonichikan building is a part of Jiyu Gakuen (School of the free spirit) designed by Frank Lloyd Wright in 1921 and is now registered as an Important Cultural Property in Japan. The building is now used to host open lectures, there is a dining hall as well, and each room can be rented for gatherings, classes, seminars, concerts, parties, etc. Guided tour is also available on certain days.

The building is so beautiful and all the little details inside are remarkable! It was really lovely to be inside. I wish I had taken more photos to show you... It is definitely worth a visit if you like architecture or admire beautifully crafted work :) It's about 15 minute walk from Ikebukuro station, not that far away.

The last photo is of a publishing company's building (Fujin no Tomo Sha - Household's friend Company) that is related to Jiyu Gakuen only a block from the Myonichikan, designed by Raku Endo. Windows of this building were also lovely!

Jiyu Gakuen Myonichi Kan
2-31-3 nishi-ikebukuro toshima-ku 171-0021 (google map)
Best to check if it's available for inside tour in advance. Usually you can only see from outside on weekends. See the calendar here (Japanese) -->

Comments: 6

Casa Gilardi

Casa Gilardi

Wednesday, 28 December 2011

Another house, the last house Luis Barragán designed "Casa Gilardi" is also in Mexico City and although the Gilardi family are actually living in this house they let you see inside (partially) by appointments. The famous dining room with an indoor pool was quite amazing finally seeing in real life. There is a huge jacaranda tree in the courtyard where one of the walls is painted in the exact same colour of the jacaranda flowers. I imagined how beautiful it would be when jacaranda is all in full bloom. I must go back to see this city for the jacaranda season, all the streets lined with jacaranda trees must be so dreamy just like our sakura!

Comments: 6

Casa Luis Barragán

Casa Luis Barragán

Monday, 26 December 2011

I'm continuing posts from my trip to Mexico wanting to finish up soon but I hope you all had a wonderful Christmas if you celebrate it. Here in Japan it's not really what it must be like in the rest of the world, generally it's not so important but just very commercial once you have grown up....

*

Well, the biggest reason I had always wanted to go to Mexico is Luis Barragán, a Pritzker-prize winning architect and one of my very favourite architects in the world. Casa Barragán, designated a world heritage site by UNESCO, was designed by Barragán for himself in Mexico City in 1948 and is where he spent the last part of his life. I had seen so many photos of his house from a couple of exhibitions held in Tokyo and from books that I knew what each room would look like, it had long been my dream to go visit his house to see and feel the space, light and what is all there, so when I stepped into this house, into each room, my heart went fast with excitements! I would highly recommend visiting Casa Luis Barragán if you ever go to Mexico City. Seriously, I do.

Unfortunately no photographs were allowed inside so I could only take of the exterior which is kept very simple that it is hard to imagine what is like inside, so here are the images of the interior all cortesey of Luis Barragan Foundation via Casa Luis Barragán.
All above 8 images are from www.casaluisbarragan.org.


This last amazing image is by xoio.

Comments: 2

Art Deco Palace

Art Deco Palace

Thursday, 20 October 2011

Tokyo Metropolitan Teien Art Museum holds the annual Art Deco Palace Exhibition which actually doesn't exhibit anything but to showcase the architecture itself as a piece of art. Some rooms can only be seen during this special occasion. The museum building was built in 1938 as the residence of the Prince Asaka Family and is also known as "The Art Deco Palace". Yes, Art Deco!

I love coming to this museum and every time I come here I can not help gazing at every little detail that attracts and destructs me from what is being exhibited, but when I come here for this annual exhibition it's a different story. I can only look at the architecture and interior as much as I like, and the best part is that only during this exhibition they allow you to take photographs inside! Unlike last time I came here to take photos some years ago today was unbelievably crowded with people (with over 80% of the visitors being senior citizens!) and it was so hard to take photos :( I tried to wait and get shots without people in them many many times but my patience snapped before I could snap the shot! I might try and go back again before this exhibition ends at the end of the month before closing for renovation for a while, perhaps early in the morning when people start showing up.... if I can, hmmm.

Comments: 8