Falling Sakura Petals at Myorenji Temple

Falling Sakura Petals at Myorenji Temple - The End of Hanami, Kyoto 2012 (京都花見 2012 妙蓮寺)

Greetings From Kyoto

Kyoto photographer Kosuke Okuda and I teamed up to do an article for the Russian travel magazine Afisha Mir (Афиша-Мир). I just got a PDF of the article — hot off the server!

In the article I introduced the long history of Aritsugu which was founded in 1560. Aritsugu is one of the most famous makers of traditional Japanese knives and they are found in good kitchens all over Japan. We focused on the special eel bone cutting ‘honegiri’ knife that is used for the traditional Kyoto summer delicacy of ‘hamo’ pike eel. The knife is over 40 cm long, weighs more that 500 gm and costs more than $1,000 USD!

I wrote it, but I can’t read it!!

Kyoto photographer Kosuke Okuda and I teamed up to do an article for the Russian travel magazine Afisha Mir (Афиша-Мир). I just got a PDF of the article — hot off the server!

In the article I introduced the long history of Aritsugu which was founded in 1560. Aritsugu is one of the most famous makers of traditional Japanese knives and they are found in good kitchens all over Japan. We focused on the special eel bone cutting ‘honegiri’ knife that is used for the traditional Kyoto summer delicacy of ‘hamo’ pike eel. The knife is over 40 cm long, weighs more that 500 gm and costs more than $1,000 USD!

I wrote it, but I can’t read it!!

Kyoto photographer Kosuke Okuda and I teamed up to do an article for the Russian travel magazine Afisha Mir (Афиша-Мир). I just got a PDF of the article — hot off the server!

In the article I introduced the long history of Aritsugu which was founded in 1560. Aritsugu is one of the most famous makers of traditional Japanese knives and they are found in good kitchens all over Japan. We focused on the special eel bone cutting ‘honegiri’ knife that is used for the traditional Kyoto summer delicacy of ‘hamo’ pike eel. The knife is over 40 cm long, weighs more that 500 gm and costs more than $1,000 USD!

I wrote it, but I can’t read it!!

Kyoto photographer Kosuke Okuda and I teamed up to do an article for the Russian travel magazine Afisha Mir (Афиша-Мир). I just got a PDF of the article — hot off the server!

In the article I introduced the long history of Aritsugu which was founded in 1560. Aritsugu is one of the most famous makers of traditional Japanese knives and they are found in good kitchens all over Japan. We focused on the special eel bone cutting ‘honegiri’ knife that is used for the traditional Kyoto summer delicacy of ‘hamo’ pike eel. The knife is over 40 cm long, weighs more that 500 gm and costs more than $1,000 USD!

I wrote it, but I can’t read it!!

Cherry blossoms only last a few days. They are blown away by the spring winds and washed away by spring downpours. Therefore, the sakura (cherry blossom) is one of the symbols of the samurai warrior – as they could lose their lives at any moment.

Today, as I was on my way back from a meeting in Nishijin (the weaving district), I passed by Myorenji Temple and noticed that the ground was covered, nearly like snow, with the fallen petals of a single large cherry tree at the entrance to the temple. I had to stop and take some pictures.

Falling Sakura Petals at Myorenji Temple - The End of Hanami, Kyoto 2012 (京都花見 2012 妙蓮寺)
I jumped over the fence to take some photos – a no-no!

Falling Sakura Petals at Myorenji Temple - The End of Hanami, Kyoto 2012 (京都花見 2012 妙蓮寺) Falling Sakura Petals at Myorenji Temple - The End of Hanami, Kyoto 2012 (京都花見 2012 妙蓮寺) Falling Sakura Petals at Myorenji Temple - The End of Hanami, Kyoto 2012 (京都花見 2012 妙蓮寺)

Falling Sakura Petals at Myorenji Temple - The End of Hanami, Kyoto 2012 (京都花見 2012 妙蓮寺)
After I got back on the stone roadway, my footing felt very strange.

Falling Sakura Petals at Myorenji Temple - The End of Hanami, Kyoto 2012 (京都花見 2012 妙蓮寺) Falling Sakura Petals at Myorenji Temple - The End of Hanami, Kyoto 2012 (京都花見 2012 妙蓮寺) Falling Sakura Petals at Myorenji Temple - The End of Hanami, Kyoto 2012 (京都花見 2012 妙蓮寺)