Mind Your Manners on the Train

Matsumoto Museum of Art - Yayoi Kusama

This museum is famous for the work of Yayoi Kusama. I had seen her work before, but knew nothing about her. 

According to Wikipedia, she was born March 22, 1929 and is a Japanese contemporary artist who primarily works in sculpture and installation. She was raised in Matsumoto and trained at the Kyoto City University of Arts. She moved to New York City in 1958 and embraced the hippie culture of the 1960’s. She returned to Japan in 1973.

The outside of the museum features her work.

Photos were only allowed in one room of her exhibit - the yellow pumpkin room.

I really enjoyed this exhibit and would see it again, if I had the chance.

Matsumoto Castle Tour

Walking to the castle, I saw a small building with a table in front and a sign offering free tours in English.

Matsumoto is one of the 12 original castles.

Since the pandemic, the volunteer guides have not been able to guide inside the castle, so we said goodbye before I entered the castle. Mitsuto san was a knowledgeable and entertaining guide.

I visited Matsumoto Castle in 2018, and posted pictures of the inside of the castle then. Check it out of you are interested in seeing the inside. When I visited in 2018, the entry ticket was 610 yen. Now it is 1300 yen! 

Information about the castle can be found online here.

Work In Progress Wednesday

The Tale of Genji progress

Three more Christmas tree ornaments, to be finished sometime soon.

Knot Garden progress

Matsumoto Castle Projection Mapping

After seeing pictures online of the Matsumoto Castle Projection Mapping, I wanted to see it for myself. I took the train to Matsumoto, arriving late afternoon, with time to check into the hotel and eat dinner before walking to the castle grounds. It was snowing and much colder than where I live, but well worth standing outside to see it.

Walking

 This is me. 

I walked a lot on my December trip. I didn’t remember to take a screen shot every day, but here are some examples: