Avenue of cherry blossom, Ueno Park

Material culture: a split personality

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March 29th 2016
The aesthethics of traditional Japan ranges from the lavish gold and ornate fine work of aristocratic traditions to the powerful simplicity of Zen Budhism but it is coherent in a tremendous attention to detail and awareness of the messages that lie beneath material culture. Today we visited the Tokyo National Museum where we experienced some of the best of traditional art. The museum is actuall ... read more

Asia » Japan » Tokyo

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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