B&W

A new week is about to start. Here you are some B&W inspirations too much great not to share with you straight from my dedicated Pinterest board. 

All these pictures come from the 1950s when Japan started open mind and boundaries to the Western way of life. In all of them you can breath that "everything's new and possible" sensation. Japanese welcomed all these changes with big smiles, surprise feelings and unexpected enthusiasm.
Enjoy!

1958. A young Japanese woman in a kimono playing with Hula-Hoop. (Mitsunori Chigita)

1949. Dancers resting on the rooftop of SKD Theatre in Asakusa. (Takeyoshi Tanuma)

1950. Ginza. (Toni Schneiders)

1958. Two young girls in kimono in a street near the almost completed Tokyo Tower.

1958. Streets of Tokyo. (Marc Riboud)

1954. Ginza skyline. (Kimura Ihee)

1958. Telephoning home. (Marc Riboud)

Japanese Teapot

Whatever weather, cold or warm, I can't never stop drinking hot tea.  Japanese teapots are not only Tetsubin ones as there is a variety of shapes and materials, workmanships and functions.
I collected some of my favourite Japanese teapots from Pinterest and here you are just an anticipatory post of a new-in in my cupboard!

1. (here) Enamel. Japan is one of the Word's leading enamel manufacturers, in business since ages. The most recognizable design in this field is this famous teapot >>> click
2. (here) Porcelain. Bamboo handle and Chinese inspired decorated porcelain make it the the most beautiful teapot to display.
3. (here) Raw Ceramic. The exquisite result of a long handmade Japanese tradition.
4. (here) Kyusu is the most ancient teapot from Japan. It's a memory-made one since the smell of the leaves last long trapped inside.

2015, Fly High

This year run out fast: it has been intense, funny, unbelivable, pacifier ... all that I've been needed.
To me 2014 will always be "the year of the headstand" since on January I practically learnt how to make it during my yoga classes, and metaphorically during my entire year. Practicing a lot and challenging myself I started a new chapter with new awarenesses and pleasures surrounded by the best people on Earth to whom I will always be grateful.
In 2013 someone suggested me to "fly down". Since then I have been started to FLY EVEN HIGHER. Hope you will be able to do so next year too.

Happy New Year

Origami Day

11th November: the entire World celebrates the Origami Day as a symbol of peace.
Let's spread the joy of paperfolding by making and donate a little paper creation to whom we love, appreciate or are grateful.

Naoshima {pt. 2}

Downtown Naoshima is a group of 5-6 business 200 metres far from Miyanoura Port. The place is small and cozy taking lots of inspiration from the Hawaiian fresh style.
We had lunch in the shop of the Island I loved the most: Shioya Diner, high recommended by Lonely Planet too.

 

It's a rock-and-roll hash house serving spicy taco rice, hot dogs and avocado everything. The design of the place has something exotic mashing up with kitsch knick-knacks all around.

The landlord couple is so funny: dressed up in a vintage style they are all in one with the environment they have decorated.

Naoshima {pt.1}

After 14 days travelling, a crammed full backpack and a thousand photos taken it's time to reorganize my thoughts and show here a little from Japan.
Naoshima was the last destination of our itinerary, but the most wanted, dreamt and waited since 2005, the first time I've heard about this inspiring Art Island located into the Seto Inland Sea.
Just a quick post to anticipate the early objects of my desire, the partial abstracts of the real core of the island itself: Yayoi Kusama's yellow & red pumpkins.

A soon as the ferry docks at Miyanoura Port the first contact with Kusama's art is the one with the red pumpkin greeting your arrival to the island. This is the less popular one but it's climbable inside and enlightened by red polka dots lights.


The yellow pumpkin (1994) is not so easy to find, but it's worth the long-long climb (not talking about the super hot weather we found on the way). It is located on the southern side of the island, near the Benesse House Museum and Hotel.
Imagine the view: the smooth sea in front of you, the wild nature behind (as long as the nature could be 'wild' in Japan) and a backlit yellow stain, there.
It followed astonishment, a hundred photos and unforgettable memories.

Sometimes your dream places come true.

Planning hours

Planning a roadtrip around the Country where you left your heart is never easy since you are divided between visiting places never seen before and walking down the same old streets you've already known and still miss a lot.
It tooks time and little surrenders, but we managed to have a detailed plan of our close Japanese holiday.

Two the destinations I am particularly appreciative of.

1) Kōyasan (Mount Kōya), the cradle of esoteric and ascetic Japanese Buddhism where doing trekking through the temples and shrines and been hosted by the monks for the night.
>>> go to the website


2) Naoshima, an open-air museum island located in the Seto Inland Sea. There you can walk trough the architectural works of Ando Tadao up to the famous Kusama Yayoi's polka-dots pumpkin located on the shore. Beyond the museums the funny Naoshima Bath "I♥湯", together public bath and design treasure itself.
>>> go to the website