Lets Soar With Eagles: # 2 Sagano Arashiyama, Kyoto, Isa Masayuki, The Art Of Dyeing Kimono, Shin Matsumoto, Japanese Tea Ceremony, Joju-ji Temple, Gion Yata Restaurant.

Tuesday, August 21, 2018

# 2 Sagano Arashiyama, Kyoto, Isa Masayuki, The Art Of Dyeing Kimono, Shin Matsumoto, Japanese Tea Ceremony, Joju-ji Temple, Gion Yata Restaurant.

After our delicious lunch at the famous Shoraian restaurant, we departed to our friend Isa Masayuki's art studio in Arashiyama. At the studio, we had a hands-on experience learning typography in his workshop near Nanzenji.

Mr. Isa Masayuki is a famous Japanese painter and director/curator of the Izanda Gakko Reaearch Institute. This pattern research institute has been creating numerous patterns and designs since the 1950s. The members of this institute use traditional techniques of pattern painting to create both fresh, new patterns as well as very detailed delicate patterns. Some of their patterns are shown below.

We participated in a painting dye workshop and Mr. Isa showed us how to cut out the paper pattern made of Japanese paper and persimmon juice into whatever pattern we liked. We placed the cut pattern on our choice of cloth or Japanese paper and then painted the dye from above. With our new patterns we were taught to make beautiful design towels, coasters or wrapping paper. It is so exciting for us to actually take our own work home as a special Japanese souvenir.

Izanda Gakko Reaearch Institute's website

https://www.isaart-kyoto.com/index.html

After we finished our workshop, Mr Isa took us to visit another artist studio specializing in dyeing kimono. Mr. Matsumoto Shin showed us how to design beautiful patterns on silk cloth. Mrs. Matsumoto also very kind to show us the traditional Japanese tea ceremony.

Mrs. Matsumoto shows us the traditional Japanese tea ceremony

Our next stop on our tour of Kyoto, we went to the Joju-ji Temple which was originally founded approximately 1261 to 1264 AD, as a temple of the Risshu sect of Buddhism.

The temple fell into disrepair and decay after the Onin civil war (1467 - 1477 AD). Over two hundred years later, a famous Zen Priest Tetsugyu restored it in 1689 AD. Unfortunately, we were told that the temple burned down several more times and was rebuilt each time. This resulted in the fact that very little of the original temple exists today. At the temple site, what is very interesting is the maple covered alley that goes from the street to the main hall. Obviously, autumn is the best time to see this temple, and the new green leaves are simply beautiful.

We have had a superb trip to Kyoto so far, but there is much more to see and do. We ate at the Yata Restaurant which is a special hideout for stylish patrons in the Gion District. This restaurant is an old machiya style townhouse on a traditional stone-paved street in Gion. (Very Cool!)

Yata’s first floor is a Japanese restaurant with an open kitchen and a second floor is somewhat like a secret bar. We have a warm, cozy dinner after a busy trip from Arashiyama at Yata's and we talked about coming back again if we have the time. Yata has many special courses that you can taste during the four seasons of Kyoto. Chef Kawashima not only provided us with a fresh, delicious meal but also showed us a warm welcome in the true spirit of Kyoto's hospitality.