stepping stones of truth

A journey along the path of life - the stones can be rough, smooth or even wobbly!

Saturday, December 09, 2006

Kyoto memories

By popular request, a few images from my recent visit. View slowly and enjoy (click to enlarge if you wish)

But first, a quote from "A guide to the gardens of Kyoto" by Marc Treib

"The famous Zen priest Muso Kokushi (1271-1346) wrote at great length about the intuitive nature of gardening as opposed to "words and phrases". Muso believed that one should not talk about the concepts and expressions of gardens : rather, the practice of zazen (seated meditation) and gardening intuitively supported enlightenment. Muso also believed that the garden of the Zen monastery is a "means by which we can give up the attachment to words and phrases and attain the ultimate reality"







Left to right - Robert, Bruna, Michael, Chris, Jane, Me, David, Colleen
We came from England, Scotland, USA and Australia. Thanks to Michael for this one.











10 Comments:

At 10:47 pm, Anonymous Anonymous said...

Nice pictures Val:) tell me why they leave their fruit to go dried up? G*

 
At 9:29 pm, Blogger Val said...

First some words on "words and phrases": how true this is, relevant to many other situations too. For example, when the Bread Nazi starts talking about the pros and cons of the bread he's eating, I'm thinking: Just get on with it and eat and enjoy! Same thing with wine...

Now for the photos. Yes, I did slow down and look at each one carefully, and I'm afraid that I will add more words here.

Pumpkins in a basket: how perfect, even to the position of the basket in relation to sun and throwing the perfect shadow.

Temple perfectly framed by the boughs of the tree.

Your blue jacket - I love it! Is it quilted?

Raked stones in a circle: normally I am not a fan, but as I had followed your advice to look at each photo slowly, I noticed the slight blurred "fans" leading out from the centre. How exquisite is that!

 
At 11:17 pm, Blogger Val said...

Hallo Val - The blue jacket - yes it IS quilted/embroidered. Its from one of my favourite Fair Trade companies. You can see the current version (different colours) at http://www.bishopstontrading.co.uk/ Look under collections>women>jackets. And do check out About Us, the company is fascinating. I can only afford to buy things from them in the sales, but the nearest shop to me is at Glastonbury, about an hour's drive away, so I try to go at least once a year. All their clothes are wonderful, and last very well. Thoroughly recommended.

 
At 1:46 pm, Anonymous Anonymous said...

Not dried fruit or pumpkins, right? Looks like large tomatillas and onions to me.

 
At 4:34 pm, Blogger Val said...

Think smaller, Tabor and Val. They are physalis and sweet chestnuts! They were just decoration on a table, outdoors at the Miho Museum. A perfect autumn cameo.

 
At 10:23 pm, Anonymous Anonymous said...

Ok I missed on the chestnut, but I think if I could have enlarged the photo I would have gotten it...but the Physalis ixocarpa i.e. tomatillo, I got!! But that's OK caused I was off on the Bald Eagle post on my blog!

 
At 6:09 pm, Anonymous Anonymous said...

WOW. . . . Val, this is glorious, and I find myself quite lost for words as I look at these images from your trip. Absolutely magnificent. (Cate)

 
At 1:59 am, Anonymous Anonymous said...

Hmmm...

 
At 2:00 am, Anonymous Anonymous said...

Wow! Your skills as a photographer are becoming very refined.

Ever thought of selling some of these in a photo library?

Lotsaluv :o)

 
At 3:17 am, Blogger sedef said...


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