Seigaiha – Ocean in Silk

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In Japanese history, textile production has a long and rich tradition. Over many centuries, not only the production techniques but also the motifs and patterns applied to the fabrics have been developed and perfected. One of the most typical and common motifs found on Japanese textiles is seigaiha. Seigaiha (Jap. “blue ocean waves”) is a … Read more

Kakuzo Okakura – The Book of Tea

No. Always seek the truth of beauty, each time returning to the world of ordinary experience.” Through participation in something seemingly simple, the tea ceremony allowed participants to immerse themselves in their own inner peace and experience a sense of unity with the world. To simultaneously be of elevated spirit, yet present in one’s surroundings. … Read more

Ukiyo-e Painting

stranici, uz relativno nisku cijenu. Glavne teme u ukiyo-e slikarstvu bile su svakodnevni život, kurtizane (gejše), kabuki glumci, krajolici i priroda, mitologija, povijest i ljepotice. Kroz ove motive prepoznaje se duh vremena, ali i društveni i kulturni razvoj Japana. Jedan od najznačajnijih ukiyo-e slikara bio je Katsushika Hokusai. Njegovo najpoznatije djelo je serija drvoreza “36 … Read more

Vladimir Devidé

Sei Shonagon – Notes under the Pillow

Sei Shonagon (996/997 – 1017), a court lady from the Heian period, came from a noble family with a long tradition of literary creation. She entered the court in Kyoto at the age of twenty-four, in the service of fifteen-year-old Empress Sadako. Emperor Ichijo at that time had two wives: the first Empress Sadako and … Read more

Haiku Poetry

…It is important for your spirit to be elevated in the world of true understanding, while not forgetting the value of what is ordinary. Always seek the truth of beauty, always return to the world of ordinary experience… Basho Haiku poetry, like other aspects of Japanese culture, is deeply infused with Zen. What is Zen? … Read more

Stone Garden of the Ryoan-ji Temple

The Ryoan-ji Temple, loosely translated as “Temple of the Peaceful Dragon,” is today one of the protected monuments of Kyoto, the former capital and cultural center of Japan, and according to UNESCO, a part of the world cultural heritage. It belongs to the Rinzai school of Buddhism. Ryoan-ji is one of 1600 Buddhist temples in … Read more

The Holy Island of Itsukushima

In the immediate vicinity of Hiroshima, along the coast of the Japanese Inland Sea Seto, lies Itsukushima, a small island of great significance to Japanese history and culture. Itsukushima is home to the most important Shinto shrine in this part of Japan, which is why the island is also known as Miyajima, derived from the … Read more

Sakura – Flower of Cherry Blossom

Does anyone ask what is the spirit of this land, Japan: The blossoms of the mountain cherry shine in the morning sun. Norinaga Motoori The rhythm of the seasons naturally follows the life of man. A blooming tree, a calm lake surface, the chirping of birds, the autumn richness of fruits, the purity of snow … Read more

Fujiyama – The Sacred Mountain of Japan

The smoke from Mount Fuji swirls in the wind, scattering in the sky. Where is the tranquility of my thoughts that go with it? Poet-hermit Saigyo (1118-1190) Japanese culture is based on a deep respect for nature. Phenomena in nature were the ones that awakened the artistic sensibility of Japanese artists, and the sacred mountain … Read more