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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 -
Japan, mon amour
Why do I like Japan so much ? People are polite and friendly and you never get hurt. How great is that ! The Japanese like beauty for their eyes and their ears.
Fresh flower bouquets can be found in the toilets of the motorway service areas. Nice music in restaurants, in the streets, in shopping malls. Decorated vases in our hotels when leaving the elevator.
Decorated vase in Takamatsu © Julian Köpke Entering the port of Takamatsu, I found this beautiful composition of an artwork with propped firs. This was a pleasant introduction to our stay on Naoshima.
Takamatsu port artwork © Julian Köpke The combination of an exhibition and nature is an essential feature of the Naoshima Island. Beside the possibility to visit very special and beautiful, but expensive Museums.
Camel © Julian Köpke 
Naoshima squares © Julian Köpke 
Balls (Walter de Maria) © Julian Köpke 
Naoshima pumpkin (Yayoi Kusama) © Julian Köpke At noon we found a little rest at the Pacific Ocean near this Torii.
Naoshima torii © Julian Köpke On our way back to Takamatsu nature itself showed a wonderful spectacle of the sunset.
Ferry from Naoshima to Takamatsu © Julian Köpke 
Firy bridge near Naoshima © Julian Köpke -
Castles, shrines and gardens
Matsuayama Castle was erected on a hill above Matsuyama. It hadn’t been a real strategic installation. But a demonstration of power. Inside, the paths are intertwined so that no one can easily find their way around.
The buildings seem to reach the sky. Like clouds they hover above the hill.
Matsuyama Castle © Julian Köpke Today our ascent at Kotohira-Gu shrine was higher and steeper than yesterday to Matsuyama Castle. Before the ascent the usual shopping street for religious and tourist needs was located. I was happy with to oil-paper umbrellas, although it was rainy today. No sun at all.
Oil-paper umbrellas (Karakasa) © Julian Köpke After a night that I had slept badly, the ascent had been particularly exhausting. It is a construction feature of the plants to offer the interested again and again new and beautiful aspects.
That’s why photographers take a lot of benefit there as well.
Downwards at Kotohira-Gu shrine © Julian Köpke Ritsurin Garden in Takamatsu has been constructed in 16th century for relaxation of its owner. Photos can reflect little of the complexity to this park. From the main southern view point several groups of people with umbrellas could be observed crossing a wooden bridge. They probably wanted to leave the garden purposefully in this weather. Except falling raindrops no noise could be heard.
Takamatsu Ritsurin Garden in the rain © Julian Köpke 
Takamatsu Ritsurin Garden in the rain © Julian Köpke 
Takamatsu Ritsurin Garden in the rain © 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 -
Japan, mon amour
New love. New feelings. Less than one day in Japan. Tokyo means architecture like a mountain range. Food like a fair of flavors. Mild temperatures in the urban area. Some warm rain now and then.
Tokyo Bay View © Julian Köpke Have I seen this before ? Hasn’t it been bigger ? The statue of liberty in Tokyo. Obaida: a skywalk for people and photographers.
Statue of liberty in Tokyo © Julian Köpke 
Spider Men in Obaida enjoying Tokyo © Julian Köpke A short night after a dinner in a typical restaurant. For the first time dining without shoes. Sitting low, feet underneath our tables. Lights, clouds and fog. Silence. Some sleep. Getting some rest.
Tokyo at night © Julian Köpke Dawn is coming. Pleasant change through translation in space and time. We are not lost.
Early morning in Tokyo © Julian Köpke
