Shopping and Meeting a Friend

Google Translate to the Rescue

Pasta Made with Eel

Fried Young Rice

Our Friend Masa

Andy Warhol, they stole your idea!

Bamboo Entrance by Tanabe Chikuunsai IV

Very buff hunky bad ass Buddha

Packing Ain't us

Your Daily Lost Cab Picture

Today was a day of crowds. We went to Kiyomizu-dera Temple. It is up a long steep hill. We were in Taxi. Multitudes were walking. A veritable sea of people. The taxi driver dropped us up at the top. The sea of people were walking up another hill. It was a straight incline and we could see nothing but heads walking towards the Temple. It is the most popular temple because of its beauty, age and location. We walked for a while and simultaneously both of us independently came to the same conclusion: Lets give this up and go shopping.

We taxied  to a great boutique POJ Studio. Of course the driver got lost. The store had unique handcrafted housewares. We had fun in the shop. In an amazing bit of synchronicity they have just opened a pop-up store in Echo Park right near where we live. They had some very nice items that we will be taking home.

We decided we really wanted a Champagne Bucket and found the perfect one. It is made by hand out of wood. It is made of the same wood that Japanese wooden bathtubs are made. The process is one of those craftsman like ancient traditions that Japan loves. The simple Champagne Bucket becomes not only a functioning item, but a work of art in itself. In addition, by purchasing it an ancient tradition is allowed to continue to the next generation. The craftsman / artist that creates it is named: Nakagawa Mokkogei. Click his name to watch a short video about him and the tradition.

We decided to ship the Bucket back to LA. The saleswoman at the store told us to go to the 7th floor postoffice to ship it. It turns out I had to  pack it my self and fill out all of the stupid customs forms. After a few minutes we both said "Fuck it" and took the damn box and grabbed a taxi back to the hotel. The hotel said they give exceptional service (and they should for what we were paying). So I gave them the open box and said "Please make sure this is sent to us LA". They said "no problem". We gave a sigh of relief.

We then went for a walking tour of the Gion, the ancient part of Kyoto. We walked out the front door escorted by a hotel guide and visited many galleries and shops.

At one gallery we saw the work of: Tanabe Chikuunsai IV. In LA with Pat and Doshi we had been to an exhibit of this artist who weaves bamboo into amazing structures. It was great to be reunited with his fantastic bamboo creations. At another, an open box that was actually an art piece. I felt it was ripoff of Andy Warhol's Brillo Boxes.

We visited many galleries all within easy walking distance of the Hotel. 

Upon returning we connected with a wonderful friend from previous visits to Kyoto: Masa Fujiwara. He  joined us for drinks at the hotel and we planned to meet up with his artist wife Sarah tomorrow to see her latest paintings. We will then join them for dinner.

Dinner was at Obase. This was a great surprise. It is a fusion Japanese / Italian restaurant. They speak absolutely NO English. The only way we could communicate is by using a translate app on our phones. All of the many courses were excellent. They even adjusted Cathy's portions to a moderate serving size. The food was great. I love being so far out of the bubble you can't even hear English! There was no Menu, the courses just arrived and were explained on the app. If I had any questions I used translate on  my phone to ask a question. It is amazing!