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Anything Cute Beautiful Places Beautiful Rituals Beautiful Things

Last Friday in Tokyo

Bunny meditates:)

My mother was born the year of Rabbit so whenever I see a rabbit … I am a bit drawn to its image. This is a Rabbit mask with lotus on the third eye. The artist was there but the mask was not on sale as it was a gift she gave to this studio/gallery/dining space owner. It’s a retro vintage time slip.

Rooster: 2017, 2005, 1993, 1981, 1969
Dog: 2018, 2006, 1994, 1982, 1970 … minus 12 is the formula:)
Pig: 2019, 2007, 1995, 1983, 1971
Rat: 2008, 1996, 1984, 1972, 1960
Ox: 2009, 1997, 1985, 1973, 1961
Tiger: 2010, 1998, 1986, 1974, 1962
Rabbit: 2011, 1999, 1987, 1975, 1963
Dragon: 2012, 2000, 1988, 1976, 1964
Snake: 2013, 2001, 1989, 1977, 1965
Horse: 2014, 2002, 1990, 1978, 1966
Goat: 2015, 2003, 1991, 1979, 1967
Monkey: 2016, 2004, 1992, 1980, 1968

This is a Rooster year. What is your year? It probably comes as no surprise that I am a ______ 🙂

A riverside section of Tokyo (isn’t it hard to believe this area too is part of Shinjyuku … the quiet residential section, not that Times Square-ish mega neon craziness of Shinjyuku downtown) where silk/cloths for kimono are dyed the old-fashion method. It was a venue reintroducing this tradition through a Walk through Artists Gallaries and shops … Kimono wearing was encouraged for the young and old, a tradition fast disappearing but revived just for the weekend.

I will miss this town, the people where always there’s a pleasant blend of the old (this) and the new; the formal vs. the whimsical; the stress vs. peace and serenity. Everything was delicious to the five-senses. Sayonara. Thank you for the mini-tour C-san. Returnng to California next week.

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Beautiful Places Beautiful Things

Flower Power

My mother used to show up and within a day, she’d be out in the garden, finding something blooming, then putting them in a vase and onto a table for us to appreciate. Sometimes it’s a big arrangment, sometimes, it’s just a single flower – it matter not. Now I see why she does that as everywhere, there’s a display of some flower here – then names of flowers used are shown along with who grew it and where it came from. It’s fun to study them and learn new names of flowers you did not know about. 

Taking notice … flowers are all around us. 

Works of Aoyama Florist … better than eye candy.   Flowers offer kind of energy that revitalizes us, whether presented grandly or humbly … it’s the energy of beauty and life and a reminder … a reminder that all is impermanent in nature and we are part of that nature. Gratitude for this beauty today. Appreciating the colors, shapes, shades and the scents … Namaste:)