HIROSHIGE AND VAN GOGH

HIROSHIGE AND VAN GOGH
Read About Van Gogh's Secret Visit to Japan

WELCOME TO BLOGABOUTJAPAN

WELCOME TO BLOGABOUTJAPAN
IT WAS A SPECIAL TIME IN MY LIFETIME

APT WITH TATAMI MATS, a special time in my lifetime in Japan...

APT WITH TATAMI MATS, a special time in my lifetime in Japan...
Watercolor by R.L.Huffstutter

COMPARISONS IN ART

COMPARISONS IN ART
HIROSHIGE'S WORK ON LEFT, VAN GOGH'S ON RIGHT

YOKOHAMA PICTURE SHOW

YOKOHAMA PICTURE SHOW
Shot with my Petri in Yokohama 1962

RICE FIELD IN JAPAN 1962

RICE FIELD IN JAPAN 1962
I took this with my PETRI in Kanagawa Prefecture

Thursday, April 5, 2012

MEMORIES OF TUTTLE BOOKS IN JAPAN

TUTTLE BOOKS WAS FOUNDED BY CHARLES E. TUTTLE, A U.S. ARMY OFFICER ASSIGNED TO GENERAL MAC ARTHURS STAFF DURING THE OCCUPATION.

He arrived in Tokyo in October 1945, expecting to take charge of the library of the Diet of Japan (as he had been ordered), only to find that General Douglas MacArthur's staff had changed his assignment. He spent the next two years helping the Japanese newspaper industry.

Tuttle founded his publishing company in Tokyo in 1948, with the mission to publish "books to span the East and West."

Read the information furnished by Wikipedia for a more detailed account on the founding of TUTTLE BOOKS in Japan.

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charles_E._Tuttle
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Many Saturdays in Yokohama began with a sketching jaunt to some new area I had not seen. After a few hours of sketching, we would usually shop or browse for books in one of several small book stores in the Motomachi area. I cannot really remember if any of the shops had the name TUTTLE on the signboards, but many of the books inside were published by Charles E. Tuttle of Vermont. I thought it strange that a publisher out of Vermont would be publishing books on and about Japan. My friend told me she had been aware of the Tuttle name in books since she first began studying English when she began elementary school in the early 1950s. English became a required course in the Japanese educational system throughout the post-war years and was still a required course in the early 1960s.

THE SHOGUN'S SCROLL BY STEPHEN F. KAUFMAN, PUBLISHED BY TUTTLE

THE SHOGUN'S SCROLL BY STEPHEN F. KAUFMAN, PUBLISHED BY TUTTLE

tuttle.co.jp/products/show/isbn:9784805311967

鎌倉時代の武士が記した帝王学。将軍はどのような信念を持って部隊、政治を統率していくべきなのか--。具体的な歴史的エピソードを踏まえながら、将軍に真に必要な能力を指南する本書は、組織のリーダーにこそ読んでほしい。自己分析、人心掌握、組織管理など乱世を勝ち抜いたトップの戦略、思想を探ります

Wednesday, April 4, 2012

FUJI FROM KASHIWABARA - A Sepia Dream in Soft Colors

It's not April 1st anymore ? I guess that means I have to restore some order to the Japanese Universe after the devastation of my last post.

The above was taken at an oddly-lit time of day. The immediate foreground area seems to have been under some clouds, while distant Fuji-san is under a late-morning clearer sky.

Can you see the smoke rising in the distance on the far left ? Maybe a farmer is burning something, or perhaps they are making charcoal.

In any case, the effect is nice for the time of day. If any of your decide you want to re-blog the image, you are free to do your own brightness and contrast adjustments, or PhotoShop it into a whole new work of art.
FUJI FROM KASHIWABARA - A... by Okinawa Soba

Tuesday, April 3, 2012

VAN GOGH ARRIVES IN YOKOHAMA

The exact date of Van Gogh's arrival in Yokohama is still uncertain. Searching through the records is time-consuming, thus an estimated date of arrival will be assigned after a bit more research. Van Gogh is the figure with the hat nearest the gangplank. This image gained through channeling and concentration.

After more channeling, it has been assumed that Vincent's voyage deposited him in Hong Kong, thus he had some time there to find passage to Japan. Through intense meditation, it has been found that his original sailing was from Hong Kong to Nakasaki where there was a substantial Dutch settlement. Because of Typhoons, the port for arrival was changed to Yokohama.

YOKOHAMA STREET SCENE 1880S

YOKOHAMA STREET SCENE 1880S
Imagine, for a moment, the unbelievable transformation of Yokohama from 1880 to 1980.

Imagine too, if Vincent Van Gogh, had, indeed, visited Japan secretly to gain a new perspective on life and to gain new subject matter. If Van Gogh had visited Yokohama, I doubt that he would have ended his life, but would have been transformed and would have been victorious over his depression and despondent state of mind.
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One of Van Gogh's letters mentioning his depression, dated 22 January 1882
www.scribd.com/writerhari/d/4861794-Letter-From-Vincent-V...

DSCI8000

DSCI8000 by mr_nihei
DSCI8000, a photo by mr_nihei on Flickr.

WHO IS SHE TEXTING OR IS SHE PLAYING A GAME? Does she know her train is approaching?
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Thanks to Mr. Nihei for this photo of a beautiful young lady waiting for her train.
DSCI8000 by mr_nihei

Saturday, March 31, 2012

NARITA EXPRESS

NARITA EXPRESS by mr_nihei
NARITA EXPRESS, a photo by mr_nihei on Flickr.

A great photo by Mr. Nihei
NARITA EXPRESS by mr_nihei

keikyu line train

keikyu line train by owenfinn16
keikyu line train, a photo by owenfinn16 on Flickr.

It is good to see the canals are still part of the Japanese cityscapes. I always found the canals fascinating. In the 60s, there might have been more traffic on the canals then than now. This is another great photo by Owen Finn.
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keikyu line train by owenfinn16

Thursday, March 29, 2012

Autumn in Hakone

Autumn in Hakone by shinnygogo
Autumn in Hakone, a photo by shinnygogo on Flickr.

I took a trip to Hakone in 1963. It was a beautiful time and is now a beautiful memory. We took a train from Yokohama and stayed at one of the most luxurious resorts. I believe the room cost about $8 U.S. Of course at that time, there exchange rate was Y-360 per dollar. Wow, how everything has changed. The beauty of Hakone appears to have remained the same. This is a beautiful photograph.
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A PANORAMIC MASTERPIECE BY SHINNYGOGO...

Nissan Showroom in Yokohama

Yes, a cool car and the robot is unique too. Like the color coordinated motif, though it would be difficult to drive around with the robot, I would give it a try. Would I get some smiles and waves? You bet I would. Congratulations to SHINNYGOGO for a great photo.
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Nissan Showroom in Yokohama by shinnygogo

Saturday, March 24, 2012

Picture 035 LST nest 1963

Picture 035  LST nest 1963 by johnlion15
Picture 035 LST nest 1963, a photo by johnlion15 on Flickr.

A CLOUDY DAY AT THE YOKOSUKA PIER IN 1963. This brings back some memories--it was a sad day for me. I have searched for a photo of this type. As an artist, I have painted many memories of Japan, but this is the first photo I have come across of the pier in that time period. Thanks for sharing this vintage shot. Robert
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Picture 035 LST nest 1963 by johnlion15

Picture 046 Good will tour

Picture 046  Good will tour by johnlion15
Picture 046 Good will tour, a photo by johnlion15 on Flickr.

MORE THAN 50 YEARS AGO AND 8000 MILES AWAY FROM TODAY...JAPANESE STUDENTS TOOK A TOUR OF JOHN'S SHIP BACK IN 1962 WHILE IN PORT AT YOKOSUKA. THIS IS A PHOTO THAT SPANS MORE THAN 50 YEARS. I WILL BET THAT JOHN AND EACH OF THE STUDENTS REMEMBER THIS DAY.
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Picture 046 Good will tour by johnlion15

Thursday, March 22, 2012

16154039

16154039 by Lehrling*
16154039, a photo by Lehrling* on Flickr.

SERENITY AND PEACE

It was sometime in 1963 when I last visited a Japanese shrine of this type. I loved to visit these areas and always felt a feeling of energy and serenity when in and around these ancient and traditional areas.

Wednesday, March 21, 2012

京浜東北線/品川駅

京浜東北線/品川駅 by mr_nihei
京浜東北線/品川駅, a photo by mr_nihei on Flickr.

京浜東北線/品川駅
Shinagawa station / Keihin-Tohoku Line
MR NIHEI, TAKEO FROM TOKYO has a talent for shooting beautiful on-site photographs. It was but a moment in time...

DSC08833 1

DSC08833 1 by omokochi_a300
DSC08833 1, a photo by omokochi_a300 on Flickr.

DSC08833 1 by omokochi_a300
I love the red lanterns. Photo by OMOKOCHI
DSC08833 1 by omokochi_a300

Mt Fuji Close Up

Mt Fuji Close Up by shinnygogo
Mt Fuji Close Up, a photo by shinnygogo on Flickr.

Each time I view this sacred mountain in photos, I am fondly reminded of my time in Japan when I could see this beautiful sight from my duty station in Atsugi. I arrived in Japan in August of 1961 and departed in December of 1963. It was a sad morning when my ship sailed, a very sad sayonara.
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Mt Fuji Close Up by shinnygogo

My deepest gratitude and thanks to the photographer, SHINNYGOGO, for use of his picture in my blog.

Tuesday, March 20, 2012

TOTSUKA RAILWAY STATION: 1960S ERA

REMEMBERING TOTSUKA STATION

Sketch from memory put students waiting for train to Yokohama. Uniforms were quite neat, pressed and always looked great. The female students wore what looked akin to a Middy blouse with a sailor motif on collar. Very classical and attractive outfits for both boys and girls. I was surprised that many of the college students wore similar outfits.

Sketch by Robert L. Huffstutter

Yokosuka Line / Totsuka station

TOTSUKA AND YOKOSUKA BOTH HOLD MANY FOND MEMORIES for me. I arrive in Japan in August of 1961 and spent many months stationed at the Naval Air Station at Atsugi. In December of 1963, I departed Japan from the pier at Yokosuka. It was a sad goodbye, a Sayonara I will never forget, a sayonara that I recall every day.

Someday, I will write a book about my time in Japan. Of course, almost everyone says they will write a book someday. When I left Japan, I was 21; today, I am 70.

My love for Japan has increased as time has passed. Someday, I hope to return to Japan to paint scenes I remember. Oh, I know that many of what was once a favorite place will be gone, but there are many left.
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My gratitude and thanks to Mr Nihei for posting photos in Flickr
Yokosuka Line / Totsuka station by mr_nihei

Friday, March 16, 2012

Ikebukuro

Ikebukuro by kumi matsukawa
Ikebukuro, a photo by kumi matsukawa on Flickr.

watercolor / Sketch for 26th WorldWideSketchCrawl
Tokyo / Japan [RESULTS]
Initially I was trying to draw interior view of a department store but I was gently prohibited by the person at the floor. So, instead, I went outside, sat on a cold and a bit moist brick and drew the view of Ikebukuro Station area for one hour. This day in the morning, it has been raining but at this moment, luckily, It wasn't. But was really cold!
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Ikebukuro by kumi matsukawa

196/2010

196/2010 by Takahiro Yamamoto
196/2010, a photo by Takahiro Yamamoto on Flickr.

The Customs House, one of the oldest buildings on the Yokohama Harbor and waterfront. I loved to sketch the building.
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196/2010 by Takahiro Yamamoto

Wednesday, March 14, 2012

Untitled

Untitled by industar
Untitled, a photo by industar on Flickr.

Another great photo of everyday life in Japan. It has been 50 years since I have been to Japan. It is nice to know the young women are as beautiful now as they were in the 1960s. My congratulations to the photographer INDUSTAR for some great photographs. Editor

Tuesday, March 13, 2012

THE U.S. DID NOT MAKE A GOOD INITIAL IMPRESSION

SAILORS OF THE U.S. NAVY are endeared to Commodore Perry for opening one of the most fabulous nations around the globe and for making their port cities destinations for some of the best liberty ever. See this gallery of sailors, some of whom most likely had fantastic liberties in Yokosuka, Yokohama and other port cities:

www.flickr.com/photos/huffstutterrobertl/gall eries/721576...

THIS MUST BE AN ISLAND DISPUTE OF SOME SORT.

THIS MUST BE AN ISLAND DISPUTE OF SOME SORT.
Nothing in graphics fascinates me more than a Japanese print depicting Western scenes. While most are very serious and well executed (pardon the pun) there is always some humor to be seen that was unintended but has become humorous through the passage of time. This particular scene could be adapted to the comic book industry. Do you suppose the artist ever dreamed that Japan would become the number one nation of comic book readers. Yes, according to stats, more men read comics enroute to work and home than in any other nation. And this is one reason why Japan is so unique. The guys are reading and learning something all of the time. I recall the same scenarios when I was in Japan.

Hasui1929Beppu6+C

Hasui1929Beppu6+C by roberthuffstutter
Hasui1929Beppu6+C, a photo by roberthuffstutter on Flickr.

BEPPU IS A HOT SPRINGS RESORT AND QUITE EXPENSIVE NOW. IT WAS INEXPENSIVE IN THE 60S AND WAS "THE" PLACE FOR HOTSY BATHS. HAVE YOU SEEN THE PRINTS OR PICTURES OF WOMEN WALKING ON YOUR BACK? WHO HAS BEEN TO BEPPU?

Sunday, March 11, 2012

MEMORIES OF CHINATOWN, YOKOHAMA 1961

AN ESSAY ON THE ROMANTIC NIGHTS OF YOKOHAMA IN THE 1960S By Robert L. Huffstutter

In the Yokohama of the 1960s, many of the lanterns were made not of plastics or glass, but of rice-papers and other traditional materials. The lanterns were strung across the streets, many with small bulbs that gave the lanterns a soft glow, a kind of magical glow. They never ceased to fascinate me. While there was not really a holiday in progress, it was a joyful time of celebration.

Another cheerful memory of the Yokohama streets is the many boughs of cherry blossoms carefully woven around the lamp posts and on wire arbors across the streets.

For many of us young men in the service, we were always in a good mood when we were in Yokohama, especially for those of us who made Yokohama's Chinatown our destination. When we were in Yokohama after dark, it was like no port most of us had ever experienced. It was a subtle party, not a the kind of party that was base or carnal, it was a party where there was loud laughter, but a party with manners.

Few of the celebrants or celebrations ever got out of hand. There was just something about the lifestyle of Yokohama, even during the nocturnal glee, that gave Yokohama nights a kind of class seldom experienced in the cities of the USA or Mexico where the parties were part of the liberty scene.

In Japan, liberty was a party, but a party with manners. With the exchange rate being what it was, the servicemen could enjoy whatever kind of happiness most had come for, and in the hours before the dawn, the music and laughter of the celebrating men and women quieted to soft whispers behind the bamboo shutters and rice-paper windows of small apartments where the young women lived. Such interludes made these impromteau romances times to remember, times they would remember with the sweet smell of exotic parfumes and powders the men would still wear the next afternoon, fragrences they would long remember as time turned them into old men far in the future.

For many young American sailors enjoying liberty, Yokohama nights most likely still defines that time-honored slogan "Join the Navy and see the world."

Tuesday, March 6, 2012

DSC_9240.jpg

DSC_9240.jpg by mikeneko_nyan
DSC_9240.jpg, a photo by mikeneko_nyan on Flickr.

FASCINATING PHOTOGRAPH. I especially like the presence of the GOOD FORTUNE or GOOD LUCK lanterns.

The numerous telephone poles fascinate me too. I just hope I can get back to to Japan to see this mass of lines before they are concealed. This photo has much depth of field.
I am not sure which holiday the people are celebrating, but everyone looks happy.

Monday, March 5, 2012

frog bros

frog bros by innerMt
frog bros, a photo by innerMt on Flickr.

FROG BROS
frog bros
Ornament on a parapet of the bridge in the Kannon Fall Park.
観音滝公園の橋の欄干の上のカエルの飾りです
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frog bros by innerMt

Saturday, March 3, 2012

Lisa

Lisa by industar
Lisa, a photo by industar on Flickr.

She is totally beautiful, like the star of a vintage movie from the 1940s.
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Lisa by industar

LANTERNS OF EVERY COLOR IN YOKOHAMA OF 1960S

IN THE EARLY 60S, THE COLOR OF THE LANTERN MADE NO DIFFERENCE TO THE MAMA-SAN OR PAPA-SAN WHO OWNED THE CLUB, BAR, BISTRO OR CABERET. To most of us servicemen, a bar was a bar as they sold Kirin, Asahi and Suntory.
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LANTERNS OF EVERY COLOR IN YOKOHAMA OF 1960S
Pencil sketch by Robert L. Huffstutter, Yokohama memories of 1961-63

(Woodless Colour Pencils by KOH-I-NOOR, Made in Czech Republic)

Untitled

Untitled by industar
Untitled, a photo by industar on Flickr.

THIS IS A FANTASTIC PHOTOGRAPH. IT EXHIBITS HOW IMPORTANT THE STAIRS AND STONES OF JAPAN ARE TO THE CULTURE AND LIFESTYLES OF MY SECOND FAVORITE NATION. THE PHOTOGRAPHER---INDUSTAR--IS A MOST TALENTED PHOTOGRAPHER.

Gekkeikan sake casks

Gekkeikan sake casks by industar
Gekkeikan sake casks, a photo by industar on Flickr.

ONE CLASSIC PHOTOGRAPH BY INDUSTAR
blogaboutjapan.blogspot.com/

Thursday, March 1, 2012

READY TO PACK BAGS FOR JAL FLIGHT TO TOKYO

I have just added my blog BLOGABOUTJAPAN to Facebook. I am not yet certain how to maintain this blog on Facebook in its many aspects, but eventually, I believe it will develop a large audience. Thanks to all of the photographers and artists who have permitted me to post their works for exhibition.

ttp://www.networkedblogs.com/blog/blogaboutja pan
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Wednesday, February 29, 2012

渡り鳥

渡り鳥 by oda.shinsuke
渡り鳥, a photo by oda.shinsuke on Flickr.

The photographer, Oda Shinsuke, took this photo from a train window. I really like this shot. I am enjoying his photostream on Flickr.
My thanks and gratitude for permitting me to feature his photographs in my blog about Japan.
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渡り鳥 by oda.shinsuke

STAR HOTEL, MOTOMACHI 1962, a watercolor by R. L. Huffstutter

The old Star Hotel in Motomach, as remembered from 1962. It was a kind of studio for painting on weekends during my tour of duty in Japan. It was by no means a Ryokan or Japanese Inn, but there was a private and traditional hot bath available. The window opened onto a marvelous street view that is long gone. I am not so naive to believe that there would even be so much as a stone left that would usher up memories, but there is a spirit of the area that would surely make a connection.
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STAR HOTEL, MOTOMACHI 1962, a... by roberthuffstutter

KANAGAWA, JAPAN RURAL AREA NEAR ATSUGI IN 1962,

KANAGAWA, JAPAN RURAL AREA NEAR ATSUGI IN 1962,
Soon after purchasing my Petri 35, I purchased a small motocycle and began riding out into the rural areas around Atsugi to shoot photos. Most of the images were captured on slides. Presently, I am in the process of getting the old slides revamped and turned into photos

My dream is to fly JAL to Tokyo sometime soon.

120225_020__MG_7479

120225_020__MG_7479 by oda.shinsuke
120225_020__MG_7479, a photo by oda.shinsuke on Flickr.

I would like to be here right now. I have many memories of narrow streets like these. You have captured the essence of a Tokyo night in this photograph. How great it would be to be 20 years old once more. Thanks for capturing such a great image.
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120225_020__MG_7479 by oda.shinsuke

120225_023__MG_7483

120225_023__MG_7483 by oda.shinsuke
120225_023__MG_7483, a photo by oda.shinsuke on Flickr.

TOKYO AT NIGHT, A GREAT AND SAFE CITY, ONE OF THE BEST CITIES FOR TOURISM ANYWHERE IN THE WORLD. I WOULD RECOMMEND YOU TAKE JAL TO TOKYO...and if I could, I would stay once I arrived, but of course, that would not be lawful. How long could I spend as a tourist?
If you know, notify me through my FLICKR ACCOUNT.
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120225_023__MG_7483 by oda.shinsuke

tokyo marathon!

tokyo marathon! by oda.shinsuke
tokyo marathon!, a photo by oda.shinsuke on Flickr.

A BUILDING WITH A LONG AND PROUD HISTORY.
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tokyo marathon! by oda.shinsuke

110821_105__MG_4618

110821_105__MG_4618 by oda.shinsuke
110821_105__MG_4618, a photo by oda.shinsuke on Flickr.

This really makes me want to return to Japan and enjoy the sights, sounds and aromas of the food, the entire scene.

Ofuna(大船, near Kamakura), Kanagawa Prefecture.
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110821_105__MG_4618 by oda.shinsuke

Sunday, February 19, 2012

Untitled

Untitled by owenfinn16
Untitled, a photo by owenfinn16 on Flickr.

THE MOMENT I SAW THIS PHOTO BY JAMES, MY MIND TOOK A TRIP BACK IN TIME AND REMINDED ME OF A TRIPS I TOOK FROM TOKYO AND YOKOHAMA.

Your photography is like poetry in my mind of another time. I see the grass growing over and around the tracks that once carried thousands of passengers to and from work daily. I do not know where this is, but I feel I have ridden these old rails many years ago.
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Untitled by owenfinn16

Friday, February 10, 2012

Aunt Eiko and "Prince"

Aunt Eiko and "Prince" by Mustang Koji
Aunt Eiko and "Prince", a photo by Mustang Koji on Flickr.

A VERY BEAUTIFUL AUNT and her beloved dog "Prince." Aunt Eiko is the aunt of my Flickr friend, Mustang Koji
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Aunt Eiko and "Prince" by Mustang Koji

1966 Isuzu Bellett

1966 Isuzu Bellett by Mustang Koji
1966 Isuzu Bellett, a photo by Mustang Koji on Flickr.

BEAUTIFUL LADY AND BEAUTIFUL FUJI
1966 Isuzu Bellett
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My Aunt Eiko with Mt. Fuji in the background. My guess is this is a 1966 Isuzu Bellett 1500 Deluxe. Its my assumption but my soon-to-be Uncle Paul took this photo.
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Wow...........how very special. This is awe inspiring. Oh, how this fills me with emotions of many kinds. Mt Fuji has a presence one cannot describe. I could write so much more. Robert
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Thanks to Mustang Koji for permission to exhibit this beautiful photograph

SKETCHES OF JAPAN 1945: Not My Art

SKETCHS OF JAPAN 1945: NOT MY WORKsammon_nanzen-ji_smallSKETCHES OF JAPANSKETCHES OF JAPAN'SKETCHES OF JAPANSKETCHES OF JAPAN
SKETCHES OF JAPANSKETCHES OF JAPANSKETCHES OF JAPANSKETCHES OF JAPANU.S. ARMY ARTIST SKETCHESVAN GOGH ARRIVES IN YOKOHAMA
JAL_Aircraft_Mokusei-goMY SORROWS FOR JAPAN ARE MANYSILK MEMORIESVINCENT VAN GOGH'S SECRET VISIT TO YOKOHAMAI NEVER FOUND IT THIS DANGEROUS, REALLY...ENOSHIMA BY Katsushika Hokusai (1760–1849)

If you would like for me to travel to Japan to create a personal collection of art and photography, please contact me through my Flickr E Mail. Robert