Konichi-wa again! At last it is time to collect all my Japanese
bits & bobs together and write something of our too brief tour (May 2000). Luckily we had signed up for a textile
specific tour. I was really excited – largely
because someone else was producing all the historic textile detail and special
workshops or visits were arranged for us!
So just sit back and enjoy the ride.
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| Wonderful views |
Speaking
of ride, the group consisted of 12 ladies.
We based ourselves in Kyoto, Japan's ancient capital for over 1000 years. We bussed and trained locally, rode the fast train to Tokyo and took a
scenic train ride into the hills to visit Takayama. We walked through markets
and narrow streets, explored monuments and shopped at busy city department
stores. We ate at local cafés, experienced
traditional foods and customs, made good use of the nearby train station’s
supermarket and got to really like sushi. All this without speaking a word of
Japanese! Margaret, our tour leader, had
language skills which stood us in good stead but we were always treated with
kindness and good humour. Even waiting
resolutely in line to use the only European toilet in the train station ladies block….
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| and inspiration |
I’ve deliberately left descriptions quite simple
given the historical information packed into the previous historical notes. I don’t have as many photos as I’d like
either. Pre-digital of course! Despite
taking endless “rolls”, they’re invariably poor quality and I’m disappointed to
have so few photos of the truly amazing things we saw and did. I don’t intend to give a detailed account of
each and every textile experience we had; there’s too much learned study out
there and being some 13 years ago, my memory is hazy. Besides you really have to live the
experience. Books, photographs or videos
can never replace the thrill of really being there. Just go!
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| on every corner. |
