Islands of the Seto Inland Sea and Art Setouchi

Copper smeltery at Inujima island

We traveled Islands of the Seto Inland Sea from May 22nd -25th to see art project"Art Setouchi".  Unfortunately taking picture of the art works was not allowed. Anyway I guess go there and feel them is the best experience rather than seeing pictures.

First we visited Inujima.
The　most remarkable art work on Inujima was made inside of closed copper smeltery, built 1909. It was operated only 10 years. The scenery of tall chimneys and heavy walls made by red bricks which many parts were collapsed and covered by trees and leaves gives you feeling of desolation.  Also the contrast of calm sea and the smeltery where once many workers were working was something.  The museum was built inside of the architecture. The concept of the art work was about life of Mishima Yukio. He is a famous writer who committed suicide at the building of the Tokyo headquarters of the Eastern Command of Japan's Self-Defense Forces after his speech of Nationalism. His life and historical background of this smeltery were well matched.

Kusama's pumpkin at Naoshima island

In Teshima island there was an art work of Rei Naito in Teshima Art Museum which I wanted see the most. When you enter the white shell like architecture you see water drops coming through the white concrete floor. A water drop connect to another water drop, repeat the action, create a pool of water. Looking at the movement was like looking at moving sperm in uterus giving the energy of birth.  There were 2 holes on the roof. From there I could see blue sky and bright green leaves. Being there was feeling timeless time.

Unfortunately since we had to lined up to see this work we gave up seeing other art works because of the shortness of time for a ferry to Naoshima island. If you are planning to go this island I recommend you to take 1 full day visit for this island.

Japanese inn "Shioya"

After Teshima we moved to Naoshima, it was already at dusk. We stayed at Japanese inn named "Shioya". The dinner served at the inn was delicious! It was mainly seafood from Seto Inland Sea. And the way the proprietress seasoned created delicate harmony to the food. We refilled rice to a rice bowl again and again. As you see the picture on right, in Naoshima some of the housed put curtain at entrance. These designs were very cute.

Next day we visited Chichu Art Museum, Lee Ufan Museum, Benesse House Museum and Art House Project in Naoshima. View of the Seto Inland Sea from Benesse House Museum was magnificent. Islands floating on spacious ocean...I could understand the thought of pirates existed long time ago running around the sea in this area. Most of the art works placed there made me realized the relationship of human activity and nature.  The artworks existed harmoniously with this environment.

The view of Seto Inland Sea from a ferry

Well, time passed slowly and calmly at Setouchi.

Tokyo - Mt. Ootake

Mitake shrine

May 17th, we climbed Mt.Ootake, located at western part of Tokyo, its height is 1,266.5m (4155ft). There are a couple of roots to climb Mt.Ootake and we chose most common root, climbing through Mt. Mitake. This is my second time to climb. 1st time I took the cable car to the top of Mt. Mitake. But this time we walked from the starting point. Walking a well‐paved road for about 50min, we reached to the top of Mt. Mitake. There are approximately 150 people live in Mt. Mitake. There are a visitor’s information, many suvenior shops and temple lodgings. Also since mythical dog is enshrined at the Mitake shrine, you see people with dogs for praying. From Mt. Mitake you can climb Mt. Ootake and hike to the Mt. Hinode and the Rock Garden, well known with beautiful Rocks coated by green moss along the a mountain stream.

Stone‐carved guardian dogs

We headed for Mt. Ootake.
Walking through refreshing green mountain trail, more you come to close to the top you get a rocky area. Chains and ropes are prepared for safety climbing. We probably walked 2 hours and reached to the shrine near the summit. There was a pair of stone‐carved guardian dogs…looked bit comical. Another 15min. walk we finally reached to the top. Good Surprise!  I saw beautiful Mt.Fuji in front of me which gave me the feeling of holliness. I always think feeling of accomplishment and the beautiful view from the summit were exquisite when I climb the mountain.

the summit of Mt. Ootake

Tokyo - Koishikawa Korakuen Gardens

Imitation of tsutenkyo bridge

Koishikawa Korakuen Gardens was built by Tokugawa Yorifusa who was the loｒd of Mito (former Ibaraki prefecture) in 1629 and completed as a garden during the time of 2nd lord Mitsukuni. It is a Kaiyu-style (landscape gardens in the go-round style). You walk the garden clockwise around the lake and see the recreation of well known scenery one after another. For instance you can see the imitation of tsutenkyo bridge, the bank of Lake Xi Hu and landscape of Biwa Lake.
You can experience many beautiful elements of those nature by just walking this garden.
Also since Mitukuni invited Confucian scholar "Zhu Zhiyu" from China for designing of the garden, you feel Chinese flavor from place to place.

Engetsu-kyo (Full Moon Bridge) 

Engetsu-kyo (Full Moon Bridge) is considered which was designed by Zhu Zhiyu.
The name came from the reflected shape of the bridge on water surface that looks like full moon.
The structure of the bridge is historically important to know about those days.

In the garden, different blooming flowers are seen all the year around.
Spring - Cherry blossom, Japanese wisteria
Summer - Japanese iris, Hydrangea, Lotus
Autumn - Lespedeza, Maple
Winter - Plum-blossom, Camellia

The garden is designated as the Special Places of Scenic Beauty and Special Historic Sites of the country. And double designation is quite rare.