Friday Finish - Blackwork Heart Pillow

I really enjoyed this project and loved being able to use up so many pieces of leftover thread. The backing is an upholstery sample.

Yaizu Koizumi Yakumo Memorial Museum

This museum opened in 2007 as a memorial to the life and work of Koizumi Yakumo, who was also known as Lafcadio Hearn. Mr. Hearn was born in Greece as Patrick Lafcadio Hearn (June 27, 1850 - September 26, 1904). He was a Greek and Irish writer, translator, and teacher. Prior to moving to Japan and becoming a Japanese citizen, he worked as a journalist in the United States. In Japan, he married Koizumi Setsu and took the name Koizumi Yakumo. He and his family lived in Matsue, Shimane Prefecture. I first heard of him when I was in the area to visit Matsue Castle.

From 1897 until his death in 1904, he spent summers in Yaizu, Shizuoka Prefecture.

The Museum is free and is about a 20 minute walk from the Yaizu train station. A lot of the museum information is in English.

I highly recommend a visit to this museum!

Work in Progress Wednesday

Zipper Pouch progress

More Little Cross Stitch

Blackwork Heart progress - I used small bits of threads leftover from other projects for the background. Next I will outline the heart with black thread and press it.

Kyurinji Temple and Toga Shrine near Miikedaira Tumulus

As I got ready to leave Miikedaira Tumulus, I noticed a nearby Temple and shrine on Google maps, so of course I had to take a look at them. Although the Temple and Shrine are very close to Miikedaira Tumulus, the route to get there isn’t direct and the roads are narrow.

Kyurinji Temple is a Rinzai Zen Buddhist temple. I was the only person there, but there was a barking dog at a nearby house.

Toga Shrine is up some stairs and there didn’t appear to be a parking area.

I read somewhere that this area covered by a tarp is a sumo wresting ring that is used once a year, but I couldn’t find more information, so don’t quote me on this.

Down the stairs and the long walk home.

Monday Morning Star Count - Six

 

Miikedaira Tumulus

My friends visited this place recently and told me about it. I was interested, too, after visiting the Mozu Kofun in December. It was a 90 minute walk from my apartment, but it was a good walk. After arriving at the location, there is still an uphill walk to get to the actual keyhole tomb, but it is worth it.