On my travels I have taken every opportunity to poke around in the homes of, well anyone really, but in particular the homes of artists and other great creative minds. It’s fascinating …
Japan
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Tokyo is a fabulous city to start or continue your East Asia explorations. There’s an abundance of things to do in Tokyo and districts with varying personalities to explore. Whether you want …
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DestinationsAsiaTravel Tips
Kawara: Decoding the Unique Roof Tiles of Japan
by Madam ZoZo8 minutes readKawara, the traditional, roof tiles of Japan, not only keep the rain out but they have personality, meaning and spiritual symbolism. You cannot travel to Japan without noticing the tidiness, attention to …
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ExperiencesCulture
Wagara: Traditional Japanese Patterns & Their Meaning
by Madam ZoZo17 minutes readLearn the meaning of traditional Japanese patterns, aka Wagara, and the inspiration behind each of these beautiful graphic motifs.
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ExperiencesCulture
Cherry Blossoms Meaning & Symbolism – The Ultimate Guide
by Madam ZoZo19 minutes readEver dreamed of getting lost in a cherry blossom hanagasumi (that’s Japanese for “flower haze”)? Here isyour guide to the magic of cherry blossoms, including how to tell them apart from similar …
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It happened by accident that our visit to Meiji Jingu (shrine) coincided with the 163rd anniversary of Emperor Meiji’s birth and within the bounds of the Grand Autumn Festival that celebrates Emperor …
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CultureExperiences
Even Samurai Grow Flowers – Experience Japan’s Chrysanthemums
by Madam ZoZo7 minutes readOften overlooked for its world-famous cherry blossoms, autumn sees Japan’s chrysanthemums, a powerful cultural symbol, bloom into radiant glory. Even fierce samurai warriors planted particular varieties of chrysanthemums or in Japanese, kiko, …
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There is barely a culture or a time in history I don’t associate with the expressive, ever stylish and practical hand fan. Whether it is an ancient Egyptian king languishing in the …