001.

I thought I should begin with this photograph to show how the Japanese lived with nature in a way that has been largely unseen in America anymore. The use of nature and preservation of nature has kept Japan almost in the past.
This photo shows theatre in Japan. Similar to theatre in American or Europe they use elaborate costumes to perform, however instead of make-up they were masks. Also they have men play women's roles almost Shakespearean in style. They tend to keep their sets grounded in minimalism with the technology we see today.
Again the Japanese have taken nature and implemented it in their art. This is the art form of flower arranging. It is apparently all about aesthetics and has a methodically method to it.
040.

I love the detail with the trees and the stone lanterns. They line the walk way and you can almost feel the old world charm engulf you.
119.

And finally these are flags for the Boys' Festival. I found it funny how vivid they are, rather than the darker colors attributed to boys back in the West.

My trip to Japan was to understand the art forms of a country very different from my own. I found the pieces and performances I observed very quaint with a strong sense of nature. I must suggest you go to Japan if you want to see old world charms intertwined with nature in the highest sense. The colors were so vivid while staying true to themselves in every way. I think I may visit again to paint many landscapes in this almost mythical land.

My persona was an artist who visited Japan to become inspired. He went all around the country to understand the various methods of the Japanese. He was constantly going on and on about how old Japan felt and how charming the arts were. His comment on theatre was only after seeing one showing of a Noh performance. I felt that he never dove deep enough to understand the true nature of the arts. His focus was on the background and how he could inspire his own paintings of landscapes rather than understanding the Japanese philosophy or perspective on art.