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Japanese paintings
On the return flight I remembered the many Japanese drawings and paintings. During my stay I had taken extra pictures of pine branches in the hope that I would be able to achieve a painterly effect by post-processing them. I set to work with my laptop. The first image should be a pine branch of the Rengeo-In shrine in Kyoto.
Pine impression Rengeo-In temple Kyoto © Julian Köpke I felt encouraged to try more, although operating the laptop on the plane was sometimes a bit difficult. The next try should be an image of the Golden Shrine Kinkaku-Ji in Kyoto.
Golden shrine Kinkaku-Ji Kyoto © Julian Köpke The coloring of the picture is decisive for the success of this illusion. The colors of the Japanese paintings I have in mind are rather not saturated and the contrasts are raised more. With the photograph of an art installation in the port of Takamatsu I could still achieve a little of this illusion.
Art installation in the port of Takamatsu © Julian Köpke We met the first signs of autumn in Nikko.
First signs of autumn in Japan in Nikko © Julian Köpke -
Golden shrine – Kunkaku-ji
Often gold is just pushy. Not in the wonderful garden of Kunkaku-ji temple. We started early in the morning to have a chance to take a photo. A warm and permanent rain supported us. There were many people, but not as much as usual.
Kyoto Kinkaku-ji (Golden shrine) © Julian Köpke 
Reflections in Kunkaku-ji © Julian Köpke Our next stop was Ryan-ji temple. 15 is the sum of 3+5+7 and a holy number. 15 stones are dressed in a field in front of the temple. No one is able to see all 15 stones at once, without moving the head. Photographing the field without being allowed to move freely yields a distorted image.
Kyoto Ryoan-ji temple Zen field © Julian Köpke The change from the quiet and rich impressions of the Zen gardens in the city to the Nishiki market was a kind of crash program. The folding fans of Kyoto appeared as a motif once again.
Kyoto side street Nishiki market © Julian Köpke 
Kyoto folding fans (sensu) © Julian Köpke -
Zen gardens
A narrow shipping street leads to Ginkaku-ji Zen temple garden. Many dealers offer all kinds of souvenirs. A merchant allowed me to take a picture of her folding fans.
Sensu Kyoto (folding fan) © Julian Köpke The wild sea is a difficult subject of painting. So is it for a Zen garden, too. In the garden of the Ginkaku-ji in Kyoto temple I liked very much the intensity of changing aspects of a sand composition representing the wild sea.
Ginkaku-ji temple "The wild sea" © Julian Köpke 
Ginkaku-ji temple "The wild sea" © Julian Köpke It’s impossible to show the variety of aspects of this garden: one has to experience it. The rapidly changing variation of experiences in a confined space is a design feature of this garden.
The Moon at Ginkaku-ji temple garden © Julian Köpke Before leaving you look back on the beginning of the tour with these nice reflections on a slow moving water.
Sone bridge at Kyoto Ginkaku-ji Zen garden © Julian Köpke -
Kyoto
In the bus I look put for motifs than can convey a feeling of Japan. On a rainy day it might be not so hard. I find one at a rest stop. It doesn’t take much post-processing to get ready.
On our way to Kyoto © Julian Köpke First impressions are important. The main station in Kyoto is loud and bustling. I’m not sure I imagined it under Kyoto. With a long time exposure I capture some of my first impressions of this great station. The lotus flower is everywhere present as architectural motif.
Kyoto main station entrance hall © Julian Köpke
