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Tokyo Weekender
3 days ago
- Tokyo Weekender
What To Do in Kyoto on a Rainy Day
If you're traveling to Japan during the rainy season, checking the weather app can be mildly upsetting — popular areas like Kyoto and Tokyo may display a continuous streak of drizzly cloud icons. But a little rain in Kyoto can actually be a blessing in disguise, offering a unique opportunity to delve deeper into the city's rich culture and hidden gems, away from the usual crowds. From ancient temples to hands-on traditional crafts, Kyoto has a plethora of captivating indoor activities. Here are a few. List of Contents: Explore World-Class Museums Engage in Traditional Japanese Experiences Indoor Shopping and Culinary Gems Temples and Shrines with Indoor Appeal Practical Tips for a Rainy Day in Kyoto Related Posts Explore World-Class Museums As the nation's cultural capital, Kyoto is home to some of Japan's most impressive museums and art galleries. From the vast collection of Japanese art in Kyoto National Museum to the treasure troves at the Kyoto International Manga Museum, there is no shortage of wonders to admire indoors. Below are some great options: Kyoto National Museum One of Japan's most well-known museums, Kyoto National Museum showcases traditional Japanese art and artifacts across various eras. Its vast collections provide an excellent overview of the nation's artistic heritage. Boasting an extensive collection of over 12,000 items, including sculptures, paintings, calligraphy, pottery, fabrics, lacquerware, metalworks and archaeology, the museum is a must-visit landmark. Kyoto City Kyocera Museum of Art Opened in 1933 and recently renovated, Kyocera Museum is a landmark for modern and contemporary art in Kyoto. It houses a diverse collection of around 4,400 pieces of Kyoto art from various eras and genres, including Japanese paintings, Western paintings, sculptures, prints, crafts and calligraphy. Its new wing, Higashiyama Cube, focuses on contemporary art. The museum is known for its excellently curated special exhibitions. Fukuda Art Museum Perfect for those visiting Arashiyama, Fukuda Art Museum offers picturesque views of the river and a more peaceful atmosphere than some of Kyoto's larger museums. It boasts a collection of approximately 2,000 works by Japanese painters from the Edo period to the modern era, including rare pieces. Kyoto International Manga Museum Housed in a former elementary school, this museum is a must-visit for manga enthusiasts. It features a vast collection of over 300,000 manga volumes (many available for reading), exhibits on the history and evolution of manga, interactive experiences and even opportunities to get a personalized portrait drawn by a manga artist. Kyoto Railway Museum Perfect for train lovers of all ages, this museum delves into Japan's railway history with interactive exhibits and impressive train displays, including steam locomotives and bullet trains. Raku Museum Dedicated to the esteemed Raku family of potters, this museum provides a deep dive into their unique style of tea ceremony ceramics, which have been produced since the 16th century. It features an impressive collection of handmade Raku ceramics and seasonal exhibitions. Engage in Traditional Japanese Experiences Tea Ceremony A quintessential Kyoto experience, traditional tea ceremonies provide people with the opportunity to learn the art of matcha preparation and appreciate Japanese hospitality in a serene indoor setting. Many tea houses, like those in Kiyomizu, offer English-friendly sessions, some even with kimono rental options. Traditional Crafts Workshops Get hands-on with Kyoto's heritage. Options include: Pottery workshops , such as making Kyo-yaki. Wagashi-making classes using ingredients like red bean paste, rice flour and agar. Origami and calligraphy classes with easy steps and guidance. Woodblock printing ( Karakami ) , which involves carving an image in reverse onto a wooden block, inking it and then pressing it onto paper or fabric. The Samurai Ninja Museum with Experience: Located near Nishiki Market, this interactive museum offers insights into Japan's warrior culture with engaging exhibits and opportunities to try ninja tools or samurai sword performances. Cooking classes: From sushi and ramen to bento boxes and traditional Kyoto dishes, you can learn to recreate your favorite Japanese flavors. Many classes also include a trip to Nishiki Market for ingredient sourcing. Nishiki Market Indoor Shopping and Culinary Gems Rainy days are perfect for exploring Kyoto's vibrant covered shopping arcades and cozy cafés, offering a chance to discover souvenirs and local flavors. Browse Shopping Arcades Nishiki Market (Kyoto's Kitchen): While often bustling, the majority of Nishiki Market is covered, making it an ideal rainy-day destination. Explore over 100 stalls selling fresh produce, seafood, traditional Kyoto delicacies and souvenirs. Teramachi and Shinkyogoku Shopping Streets : These two interconnected, covered shopping arcades run parallel to each other and offer a fantastic mix of traditional and modern shops. You'll find everything from clothing, cosmetics and souvenirs to quirky anime goods and delicious street food. They're also home to several small temples and shrines. Department Stores : For a more modern shopping experience, Kyoto's department stores offer multiple floors of fashion, homewares and exquisite food halls that are a feast for the senses. Cozy Cafés Cafés with a View : Seek out cafés that offer serene garden views, even on a rainy day. Many traditional machiya (townhouses) have been converted into charming cafés with inner courtyards. Nittodo Kyoto Cafe and Inoda Coffee are some beautiful options. Local Coffee Shops : Kyoto has a thriving coffee scene. Check out places like Weekenders Coffee or Walden Woods Kyoto for a relaxing brew. Kenninji Temple Temples and Shrines with Indoor Appeal While many temples are known for their outdoor gardens, several in Kyoto offer significant indoor areas for contemplation, art appreciation, or to simply to enjoy the tranquil atmosphere. The Thousand-Armed Kannon at Sanjusangen-do. Sanjusangendo Temple An impressive temple that is home to 1,001 life-sized statues of Kannon, all housed in a magnificent wooden hall. Kenninji Temple Located in Gion, Kyoto's oldest Zen temple offers beautiful dry gardens visible from inside its main halls. You can also experience sutra copying or zazen meditation here. Higashi Honganji Temple This vast temple complex near Kyoto Station features immense halls that provide a peaceful and uncrowded indoor experience. Tofukuji Temple Known for its stunning autumn foliage, Tofukuji also has impressive indoor areas, including its main hall and various sub-temples, offering serene spaces for reflection. Nijo Castle While the castle grounds are outdoors, the Ninomaru Palace offers a fantastic indoor exploration with ornate sliding doors, 'nightingale floors,' which chirp to warn of intruders, and historical exhibits. Practical Tips for a Rainy Day in Kyoto Wear Appropriate Footwear Comfortable, waterproof shoes are recommended. Carry an Umbrella While most accommodations offer umbrellas, having your own is convenient. You can also purchase affordable umbrellas at convenience stores, or purchase one of Japan's famously high-quality and quirky designs. Consider Public Transportation Buses and subways are excellent for navigating Kyoto on a rainy day, keeping you dry between destinations. Embrace the Atmosphere Rain can add a slower-paced beauty to Kyoto's sights, especially around temples and gardens, highlighting the lush greens and damp stone. Check Opening Hours Always verify the operating hours of attractions, as some may have reduced hours or specific closing days. Related Posts Alternative, Less Crowded Temples and Shrines in Kyoto Rainy Season Style: How To Stay Both Dry and Fashionable During Tsuyu The Best Indoor Things To Do in Tokyo When It's Raining
New Indian Express
22-04-2025
- General
- New Indian Express
Shweta Mansingka's ceramic sculptures reflect on raw beauty of life and clay
In a quiet corner of Delhi's Espace Gallery, ceramic sculptures sit quietly on a shelf — coconuts, charcoal pears, and a hyperreal ceramic apple. The apple, crimson red with streaks of yellow running along its surface, mirrors the ones found on a vendor's cart, with some nicks and bruises on its skin. The Delhi-based ceramic artist Shweta Mansingka titles it simply 'Fruit' — symbolising the womb of creation and of abundance. It's an exhibition that speaks in silences —survival and coexistence is referenced through motifs of nature. Mansingka has been working with clay since 1989. She began under Ram Kumar Manna and Rachna Parasher, later training in Raku, crystalline glazing, and paper clay with artists like Simcha Even-Chen, Antonella Cimatti, and John Stroomer. Form over function While many ceramic artists focus on functional pieces like bowls, cups, kettles, and plates, Mansingka's work breaks away from utility. 'For me, art has always been a way to express emotions or concepts that moved me deeply,' she says. Although she did study functional wear under the renowned potter Devi Prasad and continued with functional pieces for five years afterward, Mansingka eventually found herself naturally gravitating back to sculpture. 'It's always been about provoking thought and about passing on a concept, a philosophy, or an emotion that resonates with me.' Mansingka's practice draws deeply from nature. Her sculptures are unapologetically bare in earthy tones — no sheen, no facade — exposing the true surface of the clay. The works are also hyper-realistic, portraying her subjects with accuracy. They remain unglazed, marked by raw textures, cracks, and incisions or sometimes her fingerprints or strands of her hair burnt into the surface. She points it out as a metaphor for how everyone we meet, and every incident we go through — especially from a young age — leaves a lasting, unbending imprint on our lives. 'These markings symbolise the events, the experiences, the challenges — the impressions left behind. They do leave a mark on you, but they're like skin-deep etchings,' she says. 'Our core remains the same, but our skin carries the story of what we've lived through.' Shape with meaning The texture and nature of her works are largely inspired by Japanese styles and techniques. 'Most of my pieces are fired in a Raku kiln. At the raw stage, the clay is polished to bring out its natural shine. That's the surface you touch — no glaze, bringing out the clay's inherent shine.' Mansingka draws a parallel with her own life and about turning inwards: 'It's about shedding external layers, the coverings, the unnecessary flakes. With clay, I want to express that — removing the layers, stripping through the glassy trapping, the extra 'clothes', to reveal what's within.' One such work, 'Parched Earth — Triumphant Life', takes the form of tree bark, sculpted from unglazed black clay with a golden growth emerging from within. It mirrors the natural process of new life sprouting from the crevices of tree bark or from the hollow of an uprooted branch. 'That is symbolic of life,' Mansingka explains. 'You'll see it everywhere — a crack in the wall, and a tree grows out of it. A tiny crevice, and greenery pushes through. It speaks of the survival instinct of life, and how it triumphs over even the harshest circumstances.' Mansingka's sculptures aren't loud, they lay bare — gently, patiently. They invite viewers to pause, question, and interpret. After all, not everyone imagines an apple or a coconut figure as wall-mounted decor. On view at Gallery Espace, New Friends Colony, till April 23, 11 am to 7 pm
Yahoo
18-04-2025
- Yahoo
Neighbors of woman shot and killed by her son remember her fondly as an artist and entertainer
The Brief Neighbors of a 74-year-old woman who was shot and killed by her 51-year-old son say they will remember her as an entertainer. Sue Morse, neighbors say, was an internationally known Raku artist. Neighbors say they bonded with her over the last year after her husband passed away. PHOENIX - Police say a woman was shot and killed by her son in Phoenix. It happened on April 16 near 13th Avenue and McDowell Road. Neighbors say she was an artist and a staple of their community. Now that the scene has cleared, her next-door neighbor, Regina Elvove, says they were friends for more than 20 years. She describes 74-year-old Susan Morse's personality best. "She was just a unique individual. She was very artistic, very creative. She and her husband were internationally known Raku artists. She loved to cook and to entertain," said Elvove. Morse was a well-known artist, a mother, and a great neighbor. What we know Neighbors say Sue's late husband passed away about a year ago and her son, 51-year-old Aaron Morse, moved in. According to court documents, Aaron called 911 and told police he had an argument with his mom and used a pistol to shoot her. What they're saying Neighbors knew little about Sue's relationship with her son, but bonded with her during holidays, birthdays, and anniversaries. "We used to get together for girls nights, and we would play games and eat little treats and do stuff like that," said another neighbor, Lauren Russell. "We didn't start having girls night until last year. Her husband passed away last year, so she's been through a lot this past year. She liked to play dominoes. So we play dominoes," said Elvove. Sue's neighbors are thankful they have some of her art that was gifted to them in the past, to always remember her by as they process this tragic loss. "Confused, upset, obviously. Yeah. Just still trying to process everything," said Elvove. Dig deeper "Mr. Morse allegedly confessed to shooting the victim in the head. The victim succumbed to her injuries. Mr. Morse has a longstanding history of alcoholism," court officials said at his initial appearance on April 17. Aaron Morse was charged with second-degree murder and tampering with physical evidence, both felonies. His bail is set at $500,000 dollars, cash only.
