Autumn leaves in Arashiyama

Autumn Leaves ~ Aki no Kaze Fuyu

---

December 1st 2008
One of Japan’s greatest attractions and blessings is its four seasons, especially spring and autumn. Both seasons stunned me with their beauty. I understand now why most of the Japanese haikus seem to be about these two times of the year. In Texas we can only boast two distinct seasons, a hot, humid summer and a cool winter. Spring and autumn, if they do exist in my home State, are just blinks o ... read more

Asia » Japan » Kyoto » Kyoto

---

In 1603, a Tokugawa shogunate (military dictatorship) ushered in a long period of isolation from foreign influence in order to secure its power. For 250 years this policy enabled Japan to enjoy stability and a flowering of its indigenous culture. Fol... ... read more