Japan art and self-portrait while dying: Iwasa Matabei (1578-1650) Lee Jay Walker Modern Tokyo Times The Japanese artist Iwasa Matabei (1578-1650) was born during the warring period of the sixteenth century. This period eventually culminated in the Edo Period (Tokugawa Period). Edo began in 1603 and was replaced by the Meiji Restoration in 1868. Interestingly,…
Japan art and the intriguing Hanabusa Itchō (1652-1724) Lee Jay Walker Modern Tokyo Times The Japanese artist Hanabusa Itchō (1652-1724) was born during the Edo Period. He is known for having a lovely artistic free spirit. Hence, while originally being inspired and taught in the classical Kano style, Itchō would abandon this art form and…
Art of Japan and Sanraku: Pre-Edo period to early Edo and anti-Christianity Lee Jay Walker Modern Tokyo Times Kano Sanraku (1559-1635) was a Japanese artist who lived during the pre-Edo era (Tokugawa Period) and the early Edo Period (1603-1868). Hence, bloodshed and issues with power concentration and regional dynamics were second nature for Sanraku. Indeed, he…
Art of 12th century Japan: Mitsunaga and a glimpse into the ending of the Heian Period Lee Jay Walker Modern Tokyo Times Tokiwa Mitsunaga will always be remembered for his artistic work concerning the Annual Rites and Ceremonies (1173) in twelfth-century Japan. Equally significant, it provides a glimpse into the ending of the Heian Period because…
Japanese Buddhist poetry: Saigyō, nature, and solitude Lee Jay Walker Modern Tokyo Times The young Saigyō Hōshi (birth name Satō Norikiyo) was born to a noble family in Kyoto. However, the cultural dynamics were shifting because Buddhism was increasingly being questioned during his period of life – despite Buddhism remaining potent. Therefore, with Saigyō living between 1118-1190,…
Japanese poetry: Highly esteemed Hitomaro from 7th to early 8th century Lee Jay Walker Modern Tokyo Times Kakinomoto no Hitomaro (Hito-maru from the Heian era and onwards) is regarded as one of the greatest Japanese poets to have blessed this country. His name is mentioned alongside Fujiwara no Teika, Iio Sōgi (Inō Sōgi), and Matsuo Bashō.…
Japanese art and never-never land Lee Jay Walker Modern Tokyo Times The artist Kamisaka Sekka (1866-1942) lit up Japanese art during his time on this earth. Of course, lovers of Sekka exist far and wide in modern times based on his adorable art. From a very young age, it was clear that Sekka was extremely…
Japanese Buddhism and poetry under Emperor Shōmu in 8th century Nara Lee Jay Walker Modern Tokyo Times The Nara Period in eighth-century Japan is the cradle of Japanese high culture. Hence, it is fitting that Emperor Shōmu bestowed great privilege to cementing the Buddhist faith to a higher level during his reign. Emperor Shōmu was…
Japanese Buddhism and art: Hakuin Ekaku and Chinese philosophy Lee Jay Walker Modern Tokyo Times The revered Zen Buddhist, Hakuin Ekaku (1686-1769), understood the importance of connecting with ordinary people. Hence, under his tutelage and wisdom, he helped to restore the vitality of Rinzai Buddhism that was stagnating. Hakuin was born in Hara in the province…
The elderly population in Japan reaches 36.4 million Sawako Utsumi and Noriko Watanabe Modern Tokyo Times The government of Japan announced that the elderly population (aged 65 or over) is now 36.4 million people. This is a record high. On top of this, the ratio of elderly people in the overall population is now just…
Failed Japan mission in Afghanistan means help from China, Russia, and regionally Sawako Utsumi and Lee Jay Walker Modern Tokyo Times The government of Japan, like other nations, was caught off guard by the speed of the Taliban take over in Afghanistan. Henceforth, with America and other nations evacuating tens of thousands of people, it…
Japanese artist Soga Shōhaku was influenced by the Muromachi Period Lee Jay Walker Modern Tokyo Times The artist Soga Shōhaku (1730-1781) belongs to the Edo Period. Yet, for Shōhaku, the art world of the Muromachi Period (1336 to 1573 – period officially began in 1338) is what inspired him. Therefore, the cultural angle of the…
Art of Japan and nature: Felines and minimalist approach Lee Jay Walker Modern Tokyo Times Hishida Shunsō (1874-1911) never had nine lives, unlike the saying goes for cats. However, the stunning art of Shunsō means he lives on long after his death. This is based on the stunning art he produced. In the second article…
Japan art in the Edo period: Kano-style art and rinpa Lee Jay Walker Modern Tokyo Times Information about the artist Watanabe Shikō (1683-1755) is relatively sketchy. However, it is known that he was gifted from an early age. Similarly, he was born in the cultural city of Kyoto during the Edo Period. Little is known…
Saitama tourism: Heirinji Buddhist Temple and adorable compound Sawako Utsumi and Lee Jay Walker Modern Tokyo Times The adorable Buddhist compound of Heirinji (Heirin-ji) in the prefecture of Saitama is a real treat. This relates to the Heirinji Rinzai Buddhist Temple and the delightful woodlands that surround the ancient graveyard. Therefore, the sense of the…
Saitama tourism: Buddhism and connecting with culture in Chichibu Sawako Utsumi and Lee Jay Walker Modern Tokyo Times Chichibu in the prefecture of Saitama is approximately 85 minutes away from the central parts of Tokyo. Hence, if you seek to fuse mountain landscapes, spirituality, outdoor sports connected to mountains and rivers, and a slower pace…
Saitama tourism: Chichibu Shinto shrine and richness of history Sawako Utsumi and Lee Jay Walker Modern Tokyo Times The Chichibu-Tama-Kai National Park in the prefecture of Saitama attracts a plethora of tourists. Other angles related to culture, religion, and so much more, means that Chichibu is a great base to explore this part of Japan.…
Saitama tourism: Hodosan Shinto Shrine in Nagatoro Sawako Utsumi and Lee Jay Walker Modern Tokyo Times The Hodosan Shinto Shrine in Nagatoro is a great place to connect with spirituality and nature in Saitama prefecture. Thus, despite the lore of boating, whitewater rafting, and enjoying spectacular views from Mount Hodo; the spiritual angle of Hodosan…
Tokyo tourism: Ryusenji (Meguro Fudo) Tendai Buddhist Temple Sawako Utsumi and Lee Jay Walker Modern Tokyo Times Tokyo is a mega-city known for being ultra-modern. However, among the hustle and bustle of life, the old world still ticks based on architecture, history, spirituality, and various cultural angles related to art, ceramics, and so much more.…
Tokyo tourism: Todoroki Valley and the natural flow of Buddhism and Shintoism Sawako Utsumi and Kanako Mita Modern Tokyo Times The Todoroki Valley in Tokyo is a nice quaint walk to connect with nature. Indeed, the close proximity to Jiyugaoka and Futako Tamagawa means budding tourists can enjoy the amazing contrasts with the Todoroki Valley.…
Tokyo tourism: Gotokuji Buddhist Temple, cats, and legend of Maneki Neko Sawako Utsumi Modern Tokyo Times If you feel like quiet spiritual contemplation and you have any type of connection with cats, then Gotokuji Buddhist Temple in Tokyo is a great place to visit. This concerns the historical importance of this Buddhist temple and compound…
Tanaka Hōji and Japan art: Taoism to Meiji era and words of Lao Tzu Lee Jay Walker Modern Tokyo Times Tanaka Hōji (1812-1885) is a Japanese artist who belongs to the traditions that predate the Meiji Restoration of 1868. Hence, despite the modernizing convulsions of the Meiji Restoration on the art world of Japan, the…
Review of Tokyo Ueno Station by Renae Lucas-Hall Special Contribution: Renae Lucas-Hall According to Wikipedia, the author Yu Miri was born in Yokohama to Korean parents. Her abusive father worked in a pachinko parlour and her mother was a bar hostess. She was bullied at school and made to feel like an outsider. Years later,…
Art of Japan and wisdom of Watanabe Kazan (1793-1841): Covid-19, economic struggles, and Confucianism Lee Jay Walker Modern Tokyo Times The wisdom of Confucius impacted enormously on the Japanese artist Watanabe Kazan (1793-1841). Hence, this esteemed artist helped the marginalized in the Tahara Domain (the environs of Aichi Prefecture in modern-day Japan) during the Tenpo…
Art of Japan during the last years of Edo Lee Jay Walker Modern Tokyo Times The Japanese artist Suzuki Kiitsu (1796-1858) created many stunning pieces of art. Ironically, despite belonging to the late Edo period, his stature continues to grow in the modern world. In recent years in Japan, many refined art exhibitions have highlighted…
Japanese art, the impact of Paris, and the shadow of war: Kanokogi Lee Jay Walker Modern Tokyo Times The artist Takeshiro Kanokogi was born in the prefecture of Okayama. Luckily, for Kanokogi, the Meiji Restoration of 1868 opened up culture and society. Therefore, he had the opportunity to focus on different artistic themes and to…
Review of Ellery Queen’s Japanese Mystery Stories Special Contribution: Renae Lucas-Hall Originally published by Tuttle in 1984 under the title Ellery Queen’s Japanese Golden Dozen, this cover features a watchful detective smoking in Tokyo’s back streets with Japanese street signs, red lights, and lanterns in the background. Crime fiction is very popular at the moment…
Japan poetry and Okura (660-733): Influence of Confucianism and East Asia Lee Jay Walker Modern Tokyo Times Yamanoue no Okura (660-733?) lived a dynamic life by the standards of the day. Of course, many areas of his life remain shrouded in mystery based on the passages of time. Therefore, it isn’t fully known if he…
Japanese tenth-century poetry: Mibu no Tadamine and the Middle Kingdom (China) Lee Jay Walker Modern Tokyo Times The Japanese poet Mibu no Tadamine reached his height during the late ninth and early tenth centuries. It is known that he was active in the Heian court between 898-920. Therefore, one can imagine his world through the…
Japan tourism and Nara: The legacy of Buddhism and high culture thrives Tomoko Hara and Sawako Utsumi Modern Tokyo Times The delightful city of Nara is the birthplace of Japanese high culture and today this angle shines brightly. Hence, domestic and international tourists flock to this amazing part of Japan. Indeed, the region of Kansai…
Japan art and Goshun (1752-1811): The richness of Chinese and Japanese high culture Lee Jay Walker Modern Tokyo Times The Japanese artist Matsumura Goshun (1752-1811) was brought up in a world where high culture was supreme. He was the eldest child of six children and born into a wealthy family. Therefore, from a young age,…
Japanese poetry and the recognition of death from tuberculosis Lee Jay Walker Modern Tokyo Times The life of the Japanese poet Masaoka Shiki (1867-1902) was short and blighted by ill health from a very early age. Hence, the words that flowed from Shiki were naturally impacted by the shadow of death. However, despite being…
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