After a day of working in heavy rain, a colleague and I climbed up the mountain behind the temple, just above the tea houses Kasa-tei (傘亭) and Shigure-tei (時雨亭). Kasa means umbrella and shigure means drizzle or autumn rain and is written with the kanji for "time" and "rain". Very poetic, I find. Both tea … Continue reading Day 25 – Planting moss and the mountains of Kyoto
Day 27 – Wood treatment with Kakishibu for an itabei fence (板塀)
We painted the framework for the new itabei fence with kakishibu this morning. This is what it looks like diluted - a reddish brown: An this is what the framework looks like after the kakishibu treatment:
Day 27 – The Hojo garden of Kodai-ji temple in Kyoto (方丈前庭)
Freshly watered in front of a huge audience by yours truly.
Day 26 – Building a itabei
The head gardener and I built the frame for a wooden fence (itabei - 板塀) in a restaurant. The existing dobei (土塀), the traditional earthen wall has gotten weak and is crumbling, which gives us a great view into the construction of it. A frame is built with wooden posts and a grid of slices … Continue reading Day 26 – Building a itabei
Day 26 – I can make it rain
Watering the garden in the setting sun
Day 20 – Some-Nawa: Dirty fingers are gardeners pride
I repaired a very very simple bamboo fence today. It took forever and I am not satisfied with the result. As you can see, the nail split the bamboo in one place (there is a nail under the knot). I will repair it tomorrow. BUT I am happy I was allowed to do it (all … Continue reading Day 20 – Some-Nawa: Dirty fingers are gardeners pride
Day 18 – Look who said hello today
I was digging out a bamboo shoot (take-no-ko, 竹の子) this evening and woke up the larva of a rhinoceros beetle (kabuto-mushi, カブト虫). You have to know that they are big, really big. The diameter is probably wider than 1 centimeter. I was a little surprised when I saw it. Sazaki-kun told me that I shouldn't touch … Continue reading Day 18 – Look who said hello today
Kaki-Shibu – 柿渋
I love Kyoto because it is the center for traditional craftsmanship in Japan. Over centuries, emperors, shoguns, religious and political leaders and tradesmen have lived here in beautiful houses and gardens, have held sophisticated parties and indulged in lavish banquets. They have invested in the beauty of Japan – sophisticated craftsmanship, a sense for balance … Continue reading Kaki-Shibu – 柿渋
Day 16 – The power of Mu (無) – Just do. Chop. Chop. Chop.
After lunch I was asked to use a nata (鉈), a wide blade knife or axe to cut of the edges of small, thin bamboo sticks. We want to use them as markers. I had tried it before, and although it looks easy, I found it really hard to get used to the axe and couldn't … Continue reading Day 16 – The power of Mu (無) – Just do. Chop. Chop. Chop.
Day 15 – my favorite temple Obai-in (黄梅院)
Update: I wanted to say hi to my favorite temple in Kyoto. Since taking pictures is not allowed, I sat down and sketched the sanzon-seki stone arrangement. It is pretty cold today and I am warming up with a coffee and canele at Cafe du Mon next to the temple.
90 Days in Kyoto 