Category Archives: kyoto

January 11th, 2017 I thought it would be hard to follow the illustrious and historic site that is Daitoku-ji, but the second day in Kyoto was just as wonderful as the first, if not more insightful. We began the day … Continue reading →

Today we went to Arashiyama to visit the workplace of miyamoto-san. Miyamoto san is a sculpture artist who contracts out to both temples and special orders for specific projects. He both sculpts and renews older works. We began by going … Continue reading →

Although I still haven’t fully adjusted to the jet lag, today I was once again surprised by how much energy I was able to sustain. I find myself exhausted at the end of each day, but it’s a good feeling to … Continue reading →

Today we visited Miyamoto-san’s workshop in Arashiyama and learned about his approach and style when it comes to making Buddhist sculptures and statues. From hearing his story about how he feels when he works on his pieces it makes me … Continue reading →

This first day presented me with the challenge and opportunity of adjusting my understanding of and appreciation for Zen Buddhism in Japan and its focus on aesthetics and culture. Professor Ludvik’s lecture was poignant and eye opening in several ways … Continue reading →

Today we visited Daitoku-ji, a temple compound dating back to the 1300s. As we entered, I was impressed by the extreme attention to detail in the gardens. Though I did expect them to be well-maintained, actually seeing people picking up … Continue reading →

We had a delicious vegetarian lunch at Izusen. As a vegetarian, I eat lots of different vegetarian food, but this was unlike anything that I’ve ever had. There was a large assortment of small dishes, all beautifully prepared, and each … Continue reading →

January 10th, 2017 I was more than excited for the first full day to explore what this historic and deeply cultural city had to offer, and of course the beautiful Kyoto did not disappoint. We began the day with a … Continue reading →