3 Years in Sendai 15 - Kiyoshi Yamashita

Not too far from our home, The Dia Palace Verde up the hill towards the Sendai Hosho or Radio and TV stations was also where the Yasoen or Natural Garden is located ans a lttle further walk you come to a Family Burial Grounds of the Date Masamune Family clan.. No one was allowed into the fenced grounds however i decided that it was not going to stop me frome getting into the grounds and  see for myself and I ended with a few of sketches  of what i discovered. I climbed over the fence while it was still dark just before the sun rose and sat waiting till it was light.  

This cemetery was located at another location and this where the present graves were located. I sat for a few hours doing my work and reflecting what it must have been like to have been born raised and die as a common Japanese around here in the Tohoku region.and the City of Sendai. The grave markers were unique in that they had no resemblance of mush symbols but just normal shapes and sizes of stones and  granite slabs. But what was moving was the serenity and the purity of the site like most grave site are anywhere in the world. I like to visit the final resting places of the people who I visit., it helps me to be at one  and closer to their ancestry; it is like visiting their market.

Partly inspired by Hokusai's manner of capturing anything and every thing within sight and those out of sight, I sketched and apint as much as i could every i went. It became an attraction for all those who walked by  s they stopped to comment and gawk at what i was doing. As I did  not understand much of what was being said, i just smiled and nodded my head like the Japanese do in response to praises. : Domo! Domo! " was my favorite come back. I could have been more aware by adding the time and places that I did these sketches, it would have helped mt today. 

The Japanese appreciate their parks much more than most nation on earth and they have an occasion for every season which allows for them to be at the parks along with all their families and friends. In spring as all over the country the Sakura and the plum flowers bloon the scene was always heavenly. Drinking green tea and sake they sat in groups all over the park chatting and reciting Haikus like in the old days.

On one of my visits to a Museum in Sendai I spotted this Shogun suit of Armor and it was said to have belonged to  the Shogun  known as the 'One eyed Dragon' Date masamune, Lord of the Tohoku Region at one time in  history. The unique thing about this suit was that the facial mask had two sides like front and back to it and it looked awesomely fierce. One can imgine how frightening it nust been to behold when it was being worn in the times of war.

 Kiyoshi Yamashita
I was invited to the Exhibition at at the Mitsukoshi Department Store  where the works of of japan's most favorite artist was displayed. Yamashita Kiyoshi was most loved by the children who watched his life series on Television and the fact the he was handicapped  made him an icon.
Kiyoshi Yamashita was born in Tokyo on 1922 March 10 (his birth name wasSeiji Obashi).
He suffered an illness as a young child that stunted his mental growth and he was diagnosed as mentally handicapped (some people now believe he was autistic). Kiyoshi Yamashita was born in Tokyo on 1922 March 10 (his birth name wasSeiji Obashi). Failling to be accepted in the millitary Mr. Yamashita decided to roam the country as a vagabond and lived on his artistic talents. To learn more about the artist read-  'Now &Then" Blog, March 19th. entry.

His art style is mosaic. He cuts pieces of colorful paper and glues them to a canvas to create a beautiful scene.
An amazing fact is that he would remember a scene that he saw and recreate it on his canvas later. He was able to memorize all the details that he saw…which is why many people believe he was autistic (the disease that Dustin Hoffman’s character had in the movie “Rain Man“). His life story was as colorful as his works which depicted mostly the everyday life events of the people which had great appeal to young adults and children. I liked this guy as soon as i learned of his life as a vagabond artist.

From this watercolor of my daughter i till this day can remember the feel and smell of the cloths she had on after all those years, today.