That's the end of the trip. On the last day, I returned to Ueno park, and just said goodbye to Japan by strolling around the park and visiting the Tokyo National Museum. There was a room with lacquered items, of course I zero in on the sewing table.
Hair ornaments and combs
Netsuke
A netsuke (根付; [netsɯ̥ke]) is a miniature sculpture, originating in 17th century Japan. Initially a simply-carved button fastener on the cords of an inrō box, netsuke later developed into ornately sculpted objects of craftsmanship.[1]
from Wikipedia
These are amazingly detailed.
The Tulip tree
In the 1870's, 30 Tulip tree seeds were brought from overseas. Of these one seedlings was planted here in 1881 to watch over the museum. The Tokyo Museum is sometimes known as the Tulip Tree Museum. The Tulip tree is a Magnolia variety.
The museum has a pond in front, where the gardeners were hard at work, sprucing up the plantings.
Ueno Togoshu (Shinto) Shrine
https://www.uenotoshogu.com/en/
This was unexpected or not, there are shrines and temples everywhere. However, this looked like a little jewel box in the park. It has to be the most highly decorated exterior so far.
The two narrow horizontal panels represent different animals and flora. Each panel is different, it's mind boggling.
The sun was hitting it just right, it looked like it was lit from within.
I had to take a photo of this, because it was so foreign, Tanuki the raccoon dog.
The Japanese raccoon dog (Nyctereutes viverrinus), also called the tanuki, is a species of canid that is endemic to Japan.[1] It is one of two species in the genus Nyctereutes, alongside the common raccoon dog (N. procyonoides),[2] of which it is considered to be a subspecies by some taxonomic authorities.
In Japan, raccoon dogs have had a significant role in Japanese folklore since ancient times. They are reputedly mischievous and jolly, masters of disguise and shapeshifting, but somewhat gullible and absent-minded. The animals are common in Japanese art, particularly as statues.
from Wikipedia
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