Japan

Castles, temples and shrines dazzle my imagination of the colorful, yet brutal life of Shogunate during the 16^th century Japan. I stop, take out my drawing paper, and quickly sketch. I juggle my pencil, paper and camera, and have only one minute to draw; then I run to catch up with my tour groups.

I hoped to record the visual excitement, so full of mystery for me during the early spring of 2024 when I took the bullet train from…(continued after images)

Rock Garden (Tofuku-ji Temple, Kyoto)

Ascending Lanterns (Lungshan Temple, Taipei, Taiwan)

Leopard (Tiger Screen, Nijo-jo Castle, Kyoto)

Umbrellas in Gion (Matsumotochi, Kyoto)

Buddhist Temple (Tofuku-ji Temple, Kyoto)

Water Rooster (Lungshan Temple, Taipei, Taiwan)

Mossy Rock (Nanzenjifu Kuchicho, Kyoto)

Sand Garden (Tofuku-ji, Zen Gardens, Kyoto)

Geisha (Sanjusangen-do Temple, Kyoto

Geisha Statue with Cherry Blossoms (Kawakatacho, Kyoto)

Orange Lantern, Night in Gion (Hashishitocho in Gion, Kyoto)

Yellow Garden Shed (Tofuku-ji Zen Gardens, Kyoto)

Climbing Up to Himeji Castle (Kyoto)

Yellow Lantern in Gion (Umenokicho, Kyoto)

Red Temple under the Pine Tree (Sanjusangen-do Temple, Kyoto)

Bug Gardens (Lungshan Temple, (Taipei, Taiwan)

(continued from top of gallery)…Tokyo to Kyoto, the ancient capitol. Then for two weeks I took an ocean cruise to southern Japan and Taiwan.

During the 16^th century Shoguns and their warriors, the Samarai, fought for power. Their castles were stacked terraces with outstretched roofs piled on rock formations. There, they could look out to the horizon to see approaching invaders.

Buddhist temples and Shinto shrines are inspired by the spiritual power of nature. Rock gardens are designs in sand – wonderful subjects to see and paint.

Following the trip, I read James Clavell’s great novel Shogun. Then I watched the 2024 award winning movie version during the following summer. Both were exhausting, and exhilarating. The book, movie and my 16 watercolor paintings fulfill a sense of adventure in Japan.