(Before I begin my post- a word on The Tree of Life Collaborative writing project to which I was invited. Lovely story by 26 authors, written based on a song each. Here’s my episode. Comment for a choice to receive your copy of a CD.)
This time in Japan was more about reflection, not like earlier, when everything seemed strange and distant. It all felt new, but this time it was like meeting an acquaintance.
Familiarity hasn’t brought contempt, but it has certainly brought a degree of comfort.
I walked through a bunch of museums in Hakone, taking one spectacularly verdant bus ride after the other (so much greenery and everywhere the long-drawn-out, harsh cacophony of crickets, which sound like adamant tuneless birds), but the only ones I could take pictures at were the Hakone Open Air Art Museum and the Glass Museum.
The Open Air Museum impressed me more. I couldn’t get enough of the huge outdoor sculptures, especially the metal spheres.
A beautifully tended garden with all kinds of sculptures, from historical to scifi. What’s not to like?
The glass Museum was too pretty by half out of doors, and fragile, shiny things from Venice filled the indoors. Glass crystals everywhere, as you will see if you click on the picture above for a bigger version.
The highlight of the Glass Museum was a performance by the unusual Russian musicians playing on customized glass instruments, who call themselves the Crystal Trio.
My a-ha moment came when the usually staid and proper Japanese broke out into full-throated song in accompaniment.
Natural beauty in Japan is outstanding, very zen even when casual and wild in the surroundings of a hilly brook.
The more of Japan I see, the more I want to just contemplate it without any inane attempts at description.
What about you? Have you ever been to Japan? If yes, what was Japan like, for you?
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Both museums look fascinating!
Beautiful images!
I lived in Japan for a number of years and always wanted to go to Hakone and never made it there! I hope to before long. Beautiful photos.
Blows my mind … Great pictures … It is good to visit your blog
Thanks for sharing your bits and pieces. I’d love to go to Japan:-)
Those are beautiful. I need to get out more.
We have a golden sphere here in Dublin too…
http://ouchmybackhurts.wordpress.com/2013/04/05/second-hand-news/
Reblogged this on A Morose Bookshelf.
Have been there. Just so beautiful and unique!
Reblogged this on Rosevoc2's Blog and commented:
Thank you !
Hope I can go there…
I guess I missed out on the Glass Museum last year. Nuts.
The elephant sculptures are fantastic!