2. Travel

Autumn in Yamagata

Visit to Yamagata October 2007 http://suisekiart.com/2008/06/12/goshiki-numa/
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Detail of a temple at Yamadera, Yamagata; October 2007
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Detail of a temple at Yamadera, Yamagata; October 2007

fall colormountain templeyamadera

  • Hideko Metaxas; October 2004 at the Yamato Bonsai Club show; Interpreting for Masahiko Kimura, the visiting bonsai demonstrator.<br /> <br /> Hideko-san is an expert in the Japanese cultural arts of ikebana, suiseki, and bonsai and is in demand around the world to lecture and also interpret for visiting Japanese artists.<br /> <br /> Hideko-san arranged for us to visit her sister's family (the Iwatas) in her hometown of Yamagata.
  • Okama lake at Mount Zaō (蔵王山); October 2007; <br /> <br /> Mt. Zao is Japan's most active volcano. Okama lake is also known as goshiki numa or five-color pond, because it changes color frequently.
  • Mt. Zaō (蔵王山); October 2007<br /> <br /> Down in the valley, the trees were just starting to show their fall color. Up here on the mountain they were already getting ready for the long winter.
  • Janet climbing the 1015 steps to Yama-dera; Yamagata; October 2007<br /> <br /> If you go there, wear your comfortable shoes!
  • Yamadera, Yamagata; October 2007\<br /> <br /> The rock of the mountain has been cut away over the centuries to make room for the various buildings and shrines of Yamadera.
  • Detail of a temple at Yamadera, Yamagata; October 2007
  • Yamadera, Yamagata; October 2007<br /> <br /> The formal name of the temple is Ryūshaku-ji (立石寺), which means standing rock temple.
  • Ikuko Iwata and Janet at the top of Yamadera; Yamagata; October 2007<br /> <br /> It's a long climb, but well worth it.
  • Yamadera, Yamagata; October 2007
  • Momiji Koen (Maple Garden), Yamagata City; October 2007<br /> <br /> This garden is about 380 years old. The koi pond is laid out in the character for "heart" (kokoro 心).
  • Giant Japanese maples in the Momiji Koen (Maple Garden) of Yamagata City; October 2007<br /> <br /> The three oldest (and largest) maples in the garden are more than 300 years old.
  • Tea room at the Maple Garden, Yamagata City; Mas, Janet, Tea Master, Mr. Iwata; October 2007<br /> <br /> The temple located in the maple garden was originally built by the local daimyo, but is now owned by the city who had this tea house built by Kyoto craftsmen. We were so fortunate to be served tea by the head tea master for the entire Yamagata prefecture.
  • Iwata garden; Yamagata City; October 2007<br /> <br /> I had never seen this style of lantern before, with natural stones on the top and bottom. I learned that this is a "country-style" lantern that you can see around Tōhoku.
  • Large tamari-ishi collected by Mrs. Iwata's grandfather; Iwata family garden, Yamagata City, October 2007
  • Janet with Mr. and Mrs. Iwata in front of their house; Yamagata city; October 2007
  • Janet and Ikuko at Yamagata Castle; October 2007
  • Cherry Tree at Yamagata Castle; October 2007<br /> <br /> The cherry trees were planted in the 17th-century - they are about 400 years old.
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