Watercolors in Japan

Water colors I found is one of the best mediums for travel around with as it easy to use with minimal accessories. It is also the most easy to take along due to the minimal space it requires in storage or packing. The above piece was done while visiting KinkaSan Island(Kinka -deer) where you find deers running free like sheep and goats.

If used consistantly as a medium one can develop one's own style and technique, however it is not an easy medium to master and it takes alot of patience and dedication before one can see a good result.

For me rendering a picture in water colors is taking a step further from sketching and drawing.

These watercolors were done when I was travelling around while living in Sendai Japan. Most were of the traditional japanese temple grounds and buildings.

This view of hut built as a lookout platform overlooking the Yamagata Hills was in the Yamadera Temple Complex. One of the oldest of Japanese Buddhist retreats that visited by the famous Haiku Master, Matsu Basho.

The odd looking ferry boat below was done while I was in Matsushima seaside prefecture where there were numerous little islands littering off the coastal fringe. It is considered as the fourth most visited places in Japan by tourists. It is also one of those places visited by the Haiku Master Matsu Basho who it was said was so taken by the beauty of the seaside landscape that he uttered his famous Haiku whis goes something like..

"Matsushima!!

Ya!! Matsushima!!

Matsushima!! Yaaa!!

One can take the ferry trip to view some of the islands off shore and it is worth every yen for it as it is still a rare sight.

When you look at these islands sticking out of the water with some pines sticking atop of them you get a good sense of why the Japanese value the rock gardens and Bonsai trees as part of their aesthetic heritage.

It is almost safe to say that the Japanese landscape has evolved into a well cared for garden with man and nature working closely together in designing it. The Japanese I found were very sensitive to their environmental coexistance with nature, the had found ways and means to eoexist and improve upon nature instead of overcome it like in most other nations.

Trees were manicured and made to look as exciting as it possibly could and some of these efforts took over centuries to achieve. Hence the japanese inherit more than just their personal homes but the whole environment generation after generation often caring for it with spiritual fervor. This is a part of Shintoism, the religion of the ancestors in Japan.

Nowhere in the world is the rites of spring being celebrated more than it is in Japan. The Japanese adore their cherry blossoms to the point of devinity and rightfully so. To them the impermanence of this fleeting life is most spelt out in the blooming sakura which last but for a very short time before dropping to the ground.