Changing Impressions

My first semester at Kansai Gaidai is almost in the books. I'll admit that I came here with hardly any knowledge or intense interest of Japan. I just applied to the program, was accepted and came. I knew that it would be starkly different from the place that I call my home. However, the past few months have really opened my eyes to the traditions, culture, music and art of this fascinating country. I was able to travel many places this semester and meet very interesting people.

It is up to the viewer to decide how he or she will see the world and I try to look at everything in the most positive light. Although there are things about Japan that are shocking to my American mentality, I still love this country. I have had a wonderful semester and look forward to all that I will discover during the next term.

Japanese Art

This is called an inrou. The name literally translates to "seal caddy". Way back in the Edo Period these were originally used as seals but later on they branched out as containers for medicine and tobacco. Inro are held together by the cord and sealed with a bead (in this case, the turtle shell). The cord is also used to hang the container from the belt.

The inrou are usually decorated with lacquer and intricate paintings and designs (urushi-e). These containers are crafted in distinct Japanese taste; fully functional while at the same time an intricate work of art. These particular pieces can be seen at the Kakegawa Ninomaru Museum of Art.

I also found an interesting site that sells inrou designed to protect ipods.