Shishiku Gardens, Kyoto, Japan

Mar 07, 2024

Shishiku Gardens, Kyoto, Japan

Sometimes, life gets out of hand

This tree with moss and ferns goring on the trunk was the center of attention

This week has gotten away from me. Too many of life's necessities are getting in the way of doing the things I love to do. Which is writing these stories and, most of all, working on my photos. It's okay, though. There are some bumps in the road up ahead. With time, we'll get past them. Everything will be alright.

Editing photos is a fun passion for me to pursue. I can sit down in the evening and go for hours before giving up and going to bed. Writing is different for me. I spend a day or two thinking about what I want to write. And then a few hours to a day or more to write it all down. Plus, a re-write before sending a test email and doing a final edit.

Photo editing is a creative pursuit with a preconceived outcome. Which can take many different directions. Writing, for me at least, also has a preconceived outcome, but it is linear and usually ends up where intended.

I guess, in short, writing takes a lot more effort for me. Therefore, I have photos to show you on weeks like this one, but the writing fails to deliver. So with that. Here ya go, three of the pictures I've been working on the past week.

On the outskirts of Kyoto, there is an area famous for the bamboo forest, Japanese gardens, and Buddhist temples. The area is often referred to as Arashiyama because that's the name of the trolly station for that area. The official name for the area is Saga Tenryuji Tsukurimichicho, Ukyo Ward. Which is quite a mouthful. Today, I have photos from the Shishiku Garden 獅子吼の庭 in Arashiyama to share with you.

At the top. I'm breaking the rules of landscape photography here. The background is out of focus. In landscape, everything should have tack-sharp focus. However, this conveys a sense of serenity, and it's pretty. Who cares about rules anyway!

Below, top. It's a rock. It seems to be a famous rock, too. If you search for Shishiku Garden on Google Maps, this rock is in the first three images. As rocks go, this is a lovely one.

Below, bottom. Another tree for you. Kyoto has the perfect weather to grow all the mosses and ferns that make this garden so beautiful. And photo-worthy as well.

I'm still perplexed as to why this rock is so photogenic.

The weather in Kyoto perfect for growing all the mosses and ferns found in these gardens