The Japanese Gardens of Kyoto

Video contributed by Bill Steele

We're placing these three temples on our list when visiting Kyoto next year:  

1. Saiho-ji Temple  (Moss Temple) 

 Photo credits this page: Emmanuel Marès

"The devine resides in every wild flower, in every tiny insect."

Shoden-ji Temple

Kennin-ji Temple.

 

JAPANESE WATER STONES

The three best water stone quarry sources are found in Narutaki Japan, Arkansas, and the Ardennes in Belgium. Used for thousands of years, Japanese water stones are softer, wear down faster, but sharpen blades more quickly.

When in use, some water stone particles abrade exposing new stone surface to better sharpen blades. These stone particles make a "slurry," a paste, that  helps sharpen and polish the blade. I use a middle grit (1,000) for basic sharpening, and a high grit (3,000) for a final polish.

Larger particles of a lower grit stone remove more metal when sharpening a dull blade.

Smaller particles of higher grit stones  polish the scratches left by coarser grit stones, leaving a polish.  Sharpening fine steel blades on water stones takes some practice. (Scroll to bottom of page for instructional videos.)  

Most treasured moments in Japan: While I was away visiting Hiroshima, four of my friends arranged for me to visit Gassan upon my return to Nara and Asuka Village. The film reel starts in Hiroshima and ends in Gassan Sadatoshi's samarai sword making studio in Sakuri City, Japan.

 

The sharpest samurai sword blades I've ever seen were in Gassan Sadatoshi's hands. I shot this video in his home while sipping Japanese tea. He taught us:  "Swords are not for fighting." I think in his eyes, samurai swords are treasured works of art.  The Gassan family has been crafting samurai swords for over 800 years. 

Click HERE for more about Gassan Sadatoshi

(Includes a map and directions to his sword making studio.)

Part 1

Part 2

HOW TO BE NOTIFIED WHEN AN INTERESTING BLOG HAS A NEW POST

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Just click on the blue "Follow" button (usually in the right column). Once done, you will receive an email as soon as the blog is updated.

or...

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$25,000 TO BUY A VACANT HOME (AKIYA) JUST 45 MINUTES FROM TOKYO

  Click HERE for the full article: 2,700 SQUARE FEET

Jaya Thursfield (Australian), his Japanese wife, Chihiro, and twin boys live now in a traditional Japanese home, once abandoned. Built by a temple architect in 1989 at a cost of $450,000. They wanted a home with a big yard for the kids.  He documented (on video) the renovation from it's first days through its current status, showing us the surprises and other things that are important to know before starting your own renovation project in Japan.

 

Photo credit: Andrew Faulk

AKIYA #1: Jaya's videos can be found on his YouTube Channel under the name Tokyo llama. This second video, showing the renovation process is twice as interesting because Jaya teaches us useful Japanese terms so that we build a vocabulary while learning what it takes to renovate an abandoned home. For example: genkan, traditional entry, and fusuma, sliding panels used to separate rooms.

Gaining the blessings of the Shinto Kami (spirits) for your home restoration.

AKIYA #2: Move in for $300 per year.