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[Shoseien Garden]

Shoseien, located near Kyoto Station, is a peaceful oasis in the city. As a detached estate of Higashi Honganji Temple, this Buddhist temple garden, rich in literati taste, offers a unique view paired with Kyoto Tower that you cannot find anywhere else.

The origins of Shoseien date back to 1653 (Joo 2), when Sennyo Shonin, the 13th head priest of Higashi Honganji, began developing the grounds as his retirement residence. From the time of the 14th head priest, Takunyo Shonin, it was further developed as a space for enjoying poetry, the tea ceremony, and Noh and Kyogen theater. For many years, it served as both a retirement estate for successive head priests and a guest house for welcoming visitors to Higashi Honganji, leading to its designation as a National Scenic Spot in 1936 (Showa 11).

The grounds feature a "strolling pond garden" (chisen kaiyushiki teien) and are traditionally said to have been landscaped by Jozan Ishikawa, who also established the Shisendo Temple in Rakuhoku. A defining architectural characteristic of Shoseien is that the entire garden was designed based on a central axis line connecting the Onrindo Hall, which houses the principal image of Buddha, and the Bokakaku Gate standing right in front of it. In accordance with Shin Buddhist teachings, this design reflects how the lifestyle principles of Shin Buddhist followers, centered around the principal image, are manifested even within such a temple garden.

Successive generations of Higashi Honganji have maintained a deep connection to the tea ceremony, originating from the close friendship between Sen no Rikyu and Kyonyo Shonin. Since they practiced both the Matsuo and Urasenke schools of tea, several tea houses still remain within the garden. Another major characteristic is the layout of the tea pavilions, which incorporates the literati tradition of sencha (steeped green tea), allowing guests to enjoy a garden stroll through three types of establishments: a wine shop, a restaurant, and a tea house.

The garden has a wonderfully compact size that is perfect for a stroll, and despite being in the center of the city, its appeal lies in its wide-open skies and uniquely Kyoto scenery. Why not stop by at the beginning or the end of your trip to Kyoto?

Shoseien Garden (Kikoku-tei)
https://share.google/vwtMPRc1nZqMeCIai
Showroom Information
https://www.shokunin.com/en/showroom/

Reference
https://www.higashihonganji.or.jp/about/guide/shoseien/

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[Hokusai Exhibition]

The "Hokusai" exhibition is currently being held at the National Museum of Western Art in Ueno. This event marks the first public unveiling of the "Thirty-six Views of Mount Fuji" from the Iuchi Collection, which was deposited with the museum in 2024.

Dr. Iuchi, a dentist from Akashi City, Hyogo Prefecture, was an independent archaeological researcher and art collector. He was widely known as a private collector of not only ancient East Asian culture but also Japanese ukiyo-e, particularly the landscapes of Katsushika Hokusai. A defining characteristic of his ukiyo-e prints is that they generally consist of early-state impressions. In ukiyo-e printing, repeatedly using the woodblocks can lead to wear, tear, or even damage to the wood. However, the Iuchi Collection features numerous works printed while the woodblocks were still fresh, showcasing exceptionally sharp, fine lines. Another notable feature is that many of these prints have not undergone the common reinforcement process of having backing paper pasted to the reverse side. This allows the vivid colors of the pigments to be clearly seen from the back, while also preserving the distinct circular marks left by the baren (printing pad) where the printer applied powerful pressure. Several pieces are displayed in the venue so that they can be viewed from both the front and back.

Furthermore, alongside "Fine Wind, Clear Morning" (popularly known as the "Red Fuji"), the extremely rare, all-blue aizuri-e version colloquially known as the "Blue Fuji" is also on display. In aizuri-e (blue printed pictures), two types of indigo were utilized: "hon-ai" (natural indigo), which had been used since ancient times, and "Prussian blue," which was newly imported from the West at that time. Prussian blue is a chemically synthesized pigment. Since it was created in Berlin, it came to be known in Japan as "Bero-ai," a shortened form of "Berlin-ai." Compared to the subdued, deep blue of hon-ai previously seen in works by artists like Utamaro, Bero-ai enabled expressions of extraordinarily vivid blue. The people of that era were reportedly thrilled by the advent of this new, transparently beautiful blue, eagerly seeking out ukiyo-e prints struck with this brilliant hue. Although the exhibition period is brief, visitors can fully immerse themselves in these stunning Bero-ai works.

At our store, we offer indigo-dyed products from Indigo Classic, a brand that begins its process right from tilling the soil and sowing seeds in the land of Nara. These items are crafted through rigorous work and meticulous management that aligns with the rhythm of the indigo plants—from the post-harvest "ai-konashi" (leaf-pulverizing process) to a hundred days of "sukumo" (indigo paste) preparation and fermentation—all to harness the natural vitality of the microorganisms. We invite you to use these pieces over time and nurture your very own shade of indigo within your daily life. This is the cherished indigo hue that has been close to the hearts of the Japanese people for centuries, known as "Japan Blue." Three distinct shades of these indigo handkerchiefs are currently on display at the Ginza Showroom, and we highly encourage you to stop by.

Indigo Classic's Handkerchief
https://www.shokunin.com/en/indigo/handkerchief.html
Indigo Classic's T-Shirt
https://www.shokunin.com/en/indigo/
Indigo Classic's Stole
https://www.shokunin.com/en/indigo/stole.html
Ginza Showroom
https://www.shokunin.com/en/showroom/ginza.html

References
https://www.nmwa.go.jp/jp/exhibitions/2026hokusai.html
https://artexhibition.jp/topics/news/20260113-AEJ2818074/
https://www.adachi-hanga.com/hokusai/page/know_6

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[Meiji Seimeikan and Seikado Bunko Art Museum]

If you have some free time near Tokyo Station, walk over to the Imperial Palace to visit Meiji Seimeikan. This masterpiece of Classical Revival architecture, which bore witness to critical moments in history, is open to the general public for free, with no reservations required.

Meiji Seimeikan was completed in 1934 (Showa 9) after a construction period spanning three years and seven months. It was designed by Shinichiro Okada, a professor at the Tokyo School of Fine Arts (currently Tokyo University of the Arts) and a prominent figure in the architectural community at the time. From the Taisho era through the early Showa era, he was a renowned architect who worked on numerous projects that generated significant buzz from the moment of their construction, including the Kabukiza Theatre, the restoration of the Holy Resurrection Cathedral (Nikolai-do), and the Bank of Japan Otaru Branch. The primary design of Meiji Seimeikan is unified in a Classical Revival style originating from ancient Greece and Rome, and it is regarded as a representative structure that contributed to the development of modern Western-style architecture in Japan.

From September 12, 1945 (Showa 20) to July 18, 1956 (Showa 31), the building was requisitioned for use by the United States Far East Air Forces Headquarters. During this period, until 1952 (Showa 27), the conference room on the second floor of Meiji Seimeikan served as the venue for the Allied Council for Japan, an advisory body to the Supreme Commander for the Allied Powers. General MacArthur himself is said to have attended meetings held at this venue multiple times. In 1997 (Heisei 9), following a proposal by the Council for the Protection of Cultural Properties, Meiji Seimeikan became the first building from the Showa era to be designated as an Important Cultural Property of Japan.

I recently visited the building for the first time during a trip back to Tokyo, and the exterior is truly overwhelming. A row of giant Corinthian columns featuring "entasis"—a subtle swelling that tapers toward the top—stands tall, rising through all five stories. Upon stepping inside, an elegant, solemn space with high ceilings unfolds, and you can even enjoy tea at Meiji Yasuda CAFE Marunouchi located in the center. The view looking down from the second floor is also jaw-dropping in its gorgeousness and sheer scale. Sitting on a plush sofa while watching a documentary video, I immersed myself in thoughts of history, strolled through the conference rooms, reception rooms, and dining hall, and peered closely at the fine details of the marble and ornamentation. It was a thoroughly relaxing and deeply satisfying experience, making it hard to believe it was completely free.

My original primary objective for this visit was the exhibition gallery of the Seikado Bunko Art Museum, which relocated from Setagaya, Tokyo, to the first floor of Meiji Seimeikan in 2022. The Seikado Bunko Art Museum was established in 1892 by Yanosuke Iwasaki, the second president of Mitsubishi, and was later expanded by his son, Koyata Iwasaki, the fourth president of Mitsubishi. The quality and volume of this collection amassed over two generations are among the highest tier for private museums in Japan. It houses approximately 200,000 classic books and around 6,500 pieces of ancient Eastern art, including 7 National Treasures and 84 Important Cultural Properties. Among these is the National Treasure "Yohen Tenmoku" tea bowl, of which only three examples exist in the world, and I was able to see it safely. Many people might know it from the "nearly life-sized Yohen Tenmoku plush toy," which became a hot topic as one of the Seikado Bunko Art Museum's official museum goods.

Although it is located in a highly accessible spot, it remains relatively undiscovered. Whether you live in Tokyo or are just visiting, why not take the opportunity to experience it for yourself?

Meiji Seimeikan
https://maps.app.goo.gl/dvogCKhmGNHH9Hx88
Meiji Yasuda CAFE Marunouchi
https://maps.app.goo.gl/PA3w5M4PJGvanirv5
Seikado Bunko Art Museum
https://maps.app.goo.gl/bgd3jZ1maNqcJGj17
Ginza Showroom
https://www.shokunin.com/en/showroom/ginza.html

References
https://www.meijiyasuda.co.jp/profile/meiji-seimeikan/
https://www.seikado.or.jp/
https://tabi.jtb.or.jp/res/130143-
https://artexhibition.jp/topics/news/20240405-AEJ1942190/