Category Archives: Japan

Borrowed Words (2)

Posted on March 9, 2015 by Touch2Touch

In Japanese landscape gardening the word shakkei means “borrowed view.” The designer “borrows,” or incorporates, any view beyond property borders, thereby visually enlarging his own property and landscape.  This winter in Northampton has meant enclosure in the house, trapped by unrelenting cold and snow, and enclosure … Continue reading →

Posted in Japan, Quotes, winter, Wisdom, Writers | Tagged , , , | 16 Comments

To The Lighthouse —

Posted on December 11, 2014 by Touch2Touch

“If you are writing the clearest, truest words you can find and doing the best you can to understand and communicate, this will shine on paper like its own little lighthouse. Lighthouses don’t go running all over an island looking for … Continue reading →

Posted in Japan, Quotes, Reading, Writers | Tagged , , , | 29 Comments

TODAY’S PORTRAIT: YOU CAN CALL HER PEONY

Posted on July 26, 2014 by Touch2Touch

Two young things were the subjects of the first two flower portraits. So it’s exciting to turn to a more assured, mature beauty for our third. She is known formally as Paeonia Suffruticosa, but Peony is the name we are likely to … Continue reading →

Posted in Flowers, Japan, Photography | Tagged , , , , , , | 18 Comments

A Cherry Hung with Snow…

Posted on March 10, 2014 by Touch2Touch

Simply trust, Simply trust! Cherry blossoms in bloom                 Japanese haiku poet Kobayashi Issa It’s Japanese practice (as I understand it) to display each seasonal decoration, like this cherry blossom bonsai, a little in … Continue reading →

Posted in Flowers, Japan, Nature, Pioneer Valley, Poetry, Spring | Tagged , , , , | 31 Comments

Promiscuously, in a Vase

Posted on January 26, 2014 by Touch2Touch

Why have I been sequestered so long, away from my blogs (and yours)? I’ve been preparing to moderate a seminar on the Cultural Arts of Japan in our local Learning in Retirement program. I’m sure that in a previous life … Continue reading →

Posted in Challenge, Etcetera, Flowers, Japan, Nature, Pioneer Valley, Quotes, winter | Tagged , , , , , | 22 Comments

Spring in the Heart

Posted on January 4, 2014 by Touch2Touch

Coming along the mountain path Somehow it tugs my heart Wild violet (trans. Lesley Downer) The mercury slunk down to – 12 Fahrenheit last night. Or thereabouts. At such low temperatures, what difference does it make? All is white, white, … Continue reading →

Posted in Etcetera, Flowers, Japan, Nature, Photography, Poetry, Spring, winter | Tagged , , , , , , | 22 Comments

In Praise of Shadows

Posted on November 16, 2013 by Touch2Touch

Here in the West we often favor brilliant colors, hyperrealism, and a superabundance of light. Dazzle! Clarity! Vision! But in the East, in Japan, there are also alternate aesthetic values. This quote from the novelist Junichiro Tanizaki presents a traditional … Continue reading →

Posted in Flowers, Japan, Mindfulness, Quotes, Writers | Tagged , , , | 16 Comments

THIS MORNING

Posted on January 16, 2013 by Touch2Touch

solitude– in a world of one color the sound of wind. Basho Can you hear it?

Posted in Color, Japan, Nature, Wind, winter | Tagged , , , | 36 Comments

MUM’S THE WORD FOR THIS FLOWER SHOW

Posted on December 12, 2012 by Touch2Touch

This austere polished ramp leads down to the greenhouses at Smith College. Why were we here? Only because we had guests, and I was fresh out of ideas of what to do with them, and the Chrysanthemum show was on. … Continue reading →

Posted in Autumn, Death, Etcetera, Flowers, Japan, Pioneer Valley | Tagged , , , , | 26 Comments

The Jewel in the Lotus —

Posted on August 18, 2012 by Touch2Touch

Anyone who’s flirted even mildly with Tibetan Buddhism knows this mantra for chanting: Om mani padme hum. What does it mean? “Hail, The Jewel is in the Lotus.” But what does that mean? Even though I’ve chanted it myself (although I am … Continue reading →

Posted in Art, Buddha, Etcetera, Flowers, Japan, Pioneer Valley, Wisdom, Wonderings, Zen | Tagged , , , , | 39 Comments