This Tuesday’s report will offer Westerners some insight into life in Kyoto in the age of Covid. This will be my last report when I return to Australia this weekend. I will be returning to Japan for work in 2023, but now have a commitment to return to Australia. Today we visited some temples, gardens and textile centers.
Big bell at Toyokuni Shrine
Toyokuni Shrine – Located in the southeastern part of Kyoto City – Dongshan District – and is – Toyotomi Hideyoshi – Offering.
It was the first Shinto altar built in Japan, but it was destroyed in later battles.
Toyotomi Hideyoshi was a 16th-century samurai and feudal lord who was a major force in unifying Japan as a single country.
Described as part of the “National Warning System”, the clock was built around 1600. The shrine was built in 1599, but information on the bell indicates that it was built in 1642.
I surmise from the rather old information boards that this system was designed to notify imperial staff of any threat, even though this particular shrine is located in the southeast of Kyoto, some distance from the imperial palace.
My conclusion is that I would not pursue a career as a percussionist given the logistics involved in transporting such an instrument between gigs.
The gate at the entrance of this shrine is—— Fushimi Castle – This is where Toyotomi Hideyoshi retired and died.
The gate was moved several times, finally in 1876 as – the Meiji Reform
Nishijin Textiles
I love the textile industry (formerly plastic).
How beautiful fabrics are conceived and created has always fascinated me.
The other day I went on a bike ride at lunchtime – Nishijin Textile Center – Just to the west of the Forbidden City Garden, not far from the University.
This is a historic center with live displays of original spinning and looms, as well as numerous documents outlining the industrial development of Kyoto (focused on the Nishijin district).
Learn how a local textile company combined to send three specialists to France in the 19th century to learn about and bring back the famous woodwork – jacquard machine – and the looms that brought the industry back to its peak during the Meiji period (1868-1912), as they were much more productive than earlier hand looms.
Here is a picture of a machine that controls weaving through a series of punched cards.
This reminds me of my student days studying computer programming at the University of Melbourne, where we would run statistical routines every day using punch cards as data input.
Back then every day.
Now, easily millions every day.
Regardless, it’s a great way to pass an hour at lunchtime.
speaking of textiles
Around the corner from the Toyokuni-jinja Shrine (mentioned above) is the shop and studio of Kiyoe Masao, one of Japan’s great textile artists, the “Master of Shibori and Dyes”, producing the most beautiful – who – Use linen fabrics in traditional indigo shades.
This is my favorite of his designs so far and it will fly back to Australia with me!
It’s called “The River” – the store is very close to the southern end of the Kamo River.
Beautiful patterns, colors and fabrics.
Speaking of design…
Just around the corner from that store in Higashiyama is— Kenninji Temple – This is a magnificent Zen complex dating back to 1202 and is (supposedly) “Kyoto’s oldest Zen temple”.
It has a beautiful garden with traditional sloping stone sections, pictured below.
There are many gardens like this in Kyoto, and in the hands of skilled craftsmen, they can be called works of art.
I can’t help laughing when I think about the figures who have long criticized my job development job assurances and dismissed them as “leaf rakes” — a derogation designed to claim that some jobs are useless.
I don’t know if they considered “stone raking” to be futile work. Gardeners spend a lot of time raking the leaves that fall on stone patterns, especially at this time of year when the trees shed their leaves and all the colors of nature are on display.
Another great way to kill time after get off work before dark.
Finish
This is my last report on our time in Kyoto.
It’s a great city and I’m looking forward to returning to my post at the University next year to further strengthen my research connections and find more great bike paths and places off the beaten track in my spare time in between my long runs along the Kamo River .
Enough for today!
(c) Copyright 2022 William Mitchell. all rights reserved.
