Gallery: the delights of Japanese design
The Japanese have a wonderful sense of design and a refinement in their art. They try to produce beautiful paintings with the minimum number of strokes.
David Rockefeller
And not just beautiful paintings of course. That sense of design pervades the whole country it seems, from architecture to clothing, household items to gardens … Somehow the Japanese know how to balance minimalism with intricate detail, with an apparently effortless emphasis on simple, natural elements.
Ann-Christine has just returned from Japan, a country I visited eleven years ago. Her photos, linked by the theme of ‘delicate’ for this week’s Lens Artists challenge, have inspired me to look back at my own archives from that trip. One of the things I most enjoyed on that trip was they way that the Japanese can make anything look beautiful, even manhole covers!
So here is a selection of photos of some things that caught my eye there, with an emphasis on the most delicate of designs. And I do hope Ann-Christine will overlook this blatant pinching of her idea!
Paper lanterns at Senso-ji Temple in Asakusa, Tokyo
Sweetmeat served to us at Nakajima Teahouse, Hamarikyu Gardens, Tokyo
Paper crane left on a hedge in the Peace Park, Hiroshima
(my feature photo was of course also taken here)
Straw hats hanging in the officers, quarters, Hakone Tokaido Checkpoint
Detail marquetry, known as Yosegi Zaiku, on a Himitsu-Bako or ‘secret box’, Hakone
Detail of an embroidered kimono on display in Kusakabe mingei-kan, an old merchant house in Takayama
Prayers left at Sakurayama Hachimangu shrine, Takayama
Paper parasols outside a shop in Takayama
Calligraphy demonstration in the market in Takayama
On top of the Golden Pavilion, aka Kinkaku-ji, part of the Rokuon-ji temple complex in Kyoto
A praying mantis adds a delicate touch to a roof at Kiyomizu-dera Temple, Kyoto
A delicately worked metal lantern, Kiyomizu-dera Temple, Kyoto
A lamppost in Matsumoto with delicate flower decorations
Dragon fountain in front of Rinnouji Temple in Nikko
Detail of a building at Futarasan-jinja, Nikko
Delicately carved bird on the Karamon Gate at Tôshôgû Shrine, Nikko
A shop front in Nikko proves that delicate carving isn’t just a skill of the past
I visited Japan in 2013
68 Comments
rkrontheroad
This collection brought back many memories from my days in Japan, especially Takayama. Glad to see you included some of the delicately composed food of the land!
Sarah Wilkie
Thank you Ruth – Takayama was one of my favourite places there!
Annie Berger
Your post warmed my heart as we just left Japan a few days ago for Shanghai, Tibet and onwards. The country grew on me for exactly the same reasons you described so movingly in your post, Sarah. I liked how we both saw some of the same places, Hakone and the Kyoto temples for example, and yet some places you explored we didn’t and vice versa.
Sarah Wilkie
Thanks so much Annie 😊 Japan is so big and so varied it’s impossible to see everything, so isn’t it great that we can see other parts through each other’s posts?!
SendingPostcardsHome
Stunning photos!
Sarah Wilkie
Thank you 🙂
The Novice
Beautiful gallery, thanks for sharing.
Sarah Wilkie
Thank you 🙂
Image Earth Travel
Gorgeous!
The Japanese have such attention to detail in everything they do. Although, a non-Japanese team member I worked with was in Brisbane before leaving to travel in March last year made the most incredible and colourful small OregamI sculptures. He would leave them on our desk for us to find in the morning – such a lovely gesture, which always put a smile on my face.
Sarah Wilkie
Yes, that’s very true about their attention to detail. Funnily enough I also have a non-Japanese friend (he’s actually from Iceland) who makes tiny origami birds as little gifts for people 🙂
grandmisadventures
Beautiful collection from Japan! I really love how there is such a intricate attention to creating something beautiful out of everything.
Sarah Wilkie
Thank you Meg 😀 You’re right, there’s real attention to detail there.
wetanddustyroads
I love the simplicity … and yet, so cheerful and beautiful! The lamppost is a favourite (and the Sweetmeat very interesting).
Sarah Wilkie
Thank you – yes, the Japanese do simplicity so well 🙂
Marilyn Armstrong
If there’s one place on Earth I’ve not been but would like to be, Japan is front and center. Your pictures are perfect. Almost like being there. The next time we eat sushi, I will put your post up so I can have visuals to go with dinner.
My personal passion is Japanese pottery. It’s simple lines and perfect glazing takes my breath away.
Sarah Wilkie
Aw, what a lovely response, to use my photos as a backdrop to your sushi – thank you Marilyn 😊 🍣
equinoxio21
A refined culture indeed.
(I’m still not sure whether to visit japan or not. I have this feeling I would be so lost in a strange writing, strange language, strange culture… Despite the many cultures i know… Strange sensation)
Thanks for the post
Sarah Wilkie
Thank you 🙂 While the writing does indeed look strange I found the country welcoming and easy to feel comfortable in. I think because it’s so modern in many ways, and the people, although quite formal, are very welcoming.
equinoxio21
It’s what I heard. Formal and welcoming. (As I grow older in an increasingly violent world, formality is nice…😉)
Annie Berger
We’ve just come from spending three weeks all over the country and I would encourage you to take the leap and go. We travel independently and it was a snap getting hither, thither and yon using public transportation. The transportation signs are universally in English and Japanese so even renting a car is easy. The negative, I must admit, is almost nonexistent signage at a lot of temples! We loved the smaller towns of Hakone, Kanazawa, and Kurashiki. I hope you take the plunge. Annie
equinoxio21
HI Annie. Thank you for the advice. You’re certainly right about the signs which would be a great help. I also understand Japanese are helpful which is good. One more thought to add in the balance.
Take care and have a nice week-end… 🙏🏻
(Domo arigato) 😉
restlessjo
What a fabulous celebration of all things Japanese, Sarah. A good friend has just returned from there and I’m madly jealous, but dying to meet up to hear all about it.
Sarah Wilkie
Thank you Jo 😊 I suspect your friend will make you even more jealous when you do meet up!
restlessjo
😢🩵
navasolanature
These photos have the elegance and beauty of Japanese culture. Some really brilliant capture of this. Wonder if I should visit one day.
Sarah Wilkie
Japan is fascinating and often beautiful, well worth a visit. Thank you for the nice comment on my photos 🙂
I. J. Khanewala
Japan is an appropriate choice for this week. And you’ve selected a lovely collection of delicate things from across that tiny country
Sarah Wilkie
Glad you liked my choice 🙂 I don’t usually think of Japan as tiny, as it’s quite a bit larger than the UK, but I guess if you live in a bigger country it must seem so!
Aletta - nowathome
Your photos are just amazing!
Sarah Wilkie
Thanks so much Aletta 🙂
photobyjohnbo
You’ve hit the mark on this challenge, Sarah. Your take on Japanese cultural designs is on-point. Minimalism in intricate detail sounds like an oxymoron, but the concept is deftly illustrated in your examples.
Sarah Wilkie
Thank you John 😀 Yes, ‘minimalism in intricate detail’ is a great way to describe the Japanese approach to art and design!
niasunset
I love too Japanese culture… Your phorographs once again showing us why we love this beautiful country. Thank you, have a nice day and week, Love, nia
Sarah Wilkie
Thank you Nia – good to hear you also love Japan 🙂 Enjoy your week too!
the eternal traveller
I agree, everything in Japan is so beautifully done.
Sarah Wilkie
It is, absolutely 😀
Amy
Delicate and so beautiful, Sarah! I love your selections. Love the calligraphy especially.
Sarah Wilkie
Thank you Amy 🙂 I found the calligraphy fascinating, I wish I’d taken more photos of that guy at work – I only have a couple.
Anna
Beautiful photos Sarah! The Japanese sure know how to perfect their craft!
Sarah Wilkie
Thank you Anna 🙂 Yes, the Japanese are master craftspeople!
Teresa
I really love this post , Sarah. It shows why I have to visit Japan one day. Its delicate details are amazing. You captured them all very well. Thanks for sharing.
Sarah Wilkie
Thank you Teresa 😊 Yes, you would enjoy Japan I think, it’s a beautiful country.
Teresa
I think I will too. ❤️
Leya
Beautifully delicate, Sarah! Of course you captured the details in all their glory- amazing! So glad you sent us more of Japan – this intriguing country.
Sarah Wilkie
Thanks so much Ann-Christine, for this comment but also the challenge and forgiving my blatant ‘copycat’ approach 😀
Egídio
Wow! The detail level and delicate textures in these images are beautiful. This was a beautiful gallery showcasing what delicate means to you.
Sarah Wilkie
Thank you, I’m so glad you liked these and found the delicate touches within them 🙂
Marie
The detail in the work is wonderful. Like others above, Japan, for some reason, has never been on my radar and I’ve absolutely no idea why… I love the first photo – I’d love to work in a stationery shop and play with paper all day long!!
Sarah Wilkie
Thank you Marie, I’m happy to have whetted your appetite for Japan 🙂 I know what you mean about playing with paper – I used to do origami when I was young, it’s very satisfying!
Tina Schell
I’m beginning to think I need to go to Japan! Has never topped my list but moving up thanks to you and Ann-Christine Sarah. Loved the parasols and the straw hats especially
Sarah Wilkie
Thank you Tina 😀 I can really recommend Japan – beautiful scenery, fascinating culture, friendly people, very clean and well-organised (of course) and great food!
Easymalc
You’ve surpassed even your own high standards on this collection Sarah.
Sarah Wilkie
Thank you Malcolm, that’s much appreciated 😊 But as I said to Patti below, the Japanese did most of the work here, I simply photographed their creations!
Easymalc
I know it’s not that simple Sarah 😊
Sofia Alves
You’ve captured the essence of Japan, the little details so carefully done that makes me love the country so much. Stunning gallery, Sarah, I love all of it.
Sarah Wilkie
Aw, thank you Sofia 😊 I enjoyed putting this together as it was a chance to revisit my archive and remember everything I loved about our trip there!
Anne Sandler
Simply wonderful Sarah! You captured the delicate details beautifully.
Sarah Wilkie
Thanks so much Anne 😊
thehungrytravellers.blog
Lots to study here. You know, we keep being pointed at Japan by blogging friends everywhere, for some reason when we were planning retirement travels, Japan wasn’t even on our long list, let alone the short one. I’m beginning to think we should have a rethink on that one.
Sarah Wilkie
I think Japan would really suit you and it’s well set-up for independent travel – excellent trains of course and wonderful little ryokans and guest-houses for authentic stays.
pattimoed
Fabulous post, Sarah. Really lovely images, so well captured. The details and composition are marvelous.
Sarah Wilkie
Thanks so much Patti 😊 The Japanese did most of the work here, I simply photographed their creations!
Deborah
I do hope to visit there one day; it’s part of my heritage. My grandma, who was Japanese, grew up in Honolulu. She wanted to travel there but didn’t. One of those instances where life gets in the way. What I find fascinating about Japan is the blending of the new with the old, the desire to keep the traditional ways. I love their marquetry and everything lacquered. Beautiful photography.
Sarah Wilkie
Thank you Deborah 😀 I hope you get to visit one day. We were travelling with a small group which included a woman from Australia who like you had Japanese heritage (her maternal grandmother) and was visiting for the first time. She fell in love with the country and I know has been back at least once more. You’re right, they blend the old traditions into modern life so well.
Sue
Wonderful delicates, Sarah! I love that bird on the Karamon Gate at Tôshôgû Shrine, Nikko, the paper crane, the parasols ….
Sarah Wilkie
Thank you Sue 🙂 Tôshôgû Shrine is absolutely stunning – I should do a full post on it one day I think.
Brad M
I really enjoyed the complexly simple designs and bright colors.
Sarah Wilkie
Thank you Brad, I’m glad you enjoyed them 🙂