Sunday, November 27, 2011

Flea Market Madness

In Kyoto, the Kobo-san market fair is held on the 21st of each month on the grounds of the To-ji temple and pagoda. This temple was established in 794 by imperial decree to protect the city.
Many of the temple buildings were destroyed by fire during the 15th century but has been rebuilt in the 1600's.

The temple flea markets are gigantic... booth after booth of antiques, textiles, collectibles, scrolls, pottery and books.

The Tenjin-san Market is held on the 25th of each month on the grounds of the Kitano Tenman-Gu shrine. The shrine was established in 947 and rebuilt in 1607.

Above are a few flea market finds for my home.

Above are flea market finds for my greenhouse, waiting for spring.

Some finds for the garden and greenhouse. That piece of bamboo is called Turtleback bamboo.

I found some tea cups with dots, and a small basket with cloth top with tea cup and tea tools, used as a bag to travel with.

Above are some wooden stamps, old envelopes, some old brushes, and a wonderful hand carved wooden bowl.

Above are some of the old kimono fabrics I found, with some threads and yarn, an old pilgrimage belt with old seals, and some Otafuku faces for my collection. Otafuku dolls and faces are of a mythic figure in Japanese folklore. She turns up on textiles, pottery, dishes, folkart, painting and sculpture. She is every woman, generous, the essence of goodwill.

Here are some of the indigo Boro fabrics I found with string and yarn.

I found some old scrolls, old books, and brushes.

Here is a small sample of the old envelopes and papers I found.

I came home with some old Japanese maps, rice papers, and a wonderful packet of old stamps.

I found some wonderful scarves, necklaces and hand carved wooden buttons and cloth buttons.
Do you see the hand carved wooden rabbit pin?

And you wait. You wait for the one thing
that will change your life,
make it more than it is---
something wonderful, exceptional,
stone awakening, depths opening to you.
--- Rainer Maria Rilke, Remembering

54 comments:

Liz Davidson / Artist Notebook said...

I am speechless with wonder at your treasures.

Liz Davidson / Artist Notebook said...

Make that wordless with wonder.

Valerianna said...

Oh my - texture, pattern, patina and inspiration envy happening here!

Marianne Hall said...

I will be hovering over these photos for days.......feeling them with my eyes.......imagining your collections closer than they are.......thank you.....thank you....for sharing these inspiring images!

zendotstudio said...

Oh my goodness, I am smitten by your treasures! What a wonderful collection of goodies and of course they look all the better for your artful eye for display. Thanks for sharing these with us. I'm sure I will be back many times to drink them all in again and appreciate the ever expanding details they hold. Enjoy!

Leslie Avon Miller said...

A feast for the eyes indeed Donna. The patina of age is priceless. I can only imagine how you will incorporate some of these items into your art, garden and home.

Jo Reimer said...

I'm so jealous and coveting the Boro and the papers. Fantastic collection of useful items that you brought home. Surely you can write off much of your trip because I know you'll be using many of these beautiful things in your artwork or as inspiration for paintings and collages.

There's a fantastic exhibition of Boro and field clothing here in Portland at the Japanese Garden. Its called Mottanmai, the Japanese concept of wasting nothing. I've long loved the old indigo clothing worn by poor field workers which are patched and repatched with white thread that form the designs that developed into Shashiko embroidery. There's even a mat, originally woven, reclaimed by glueing old paper to each side.

Blue Sky Dreaming said...

Exceptional finds...I imagine just running your hand on some of these items would take on the 'feel' or 'energy' of all the previous hands, all the years of ordinary use.

eb said...

oooohh
oh
my
aaaaahhhhh........
I am reduced
to monosyllabic squeals
of utter joy
what lovely finds Donna!

yes
the carved bunny
the stamps
the boro...

xox - eb.

Delwyn said...

What loot!

wonderful Donna

How did you get it all home?

And did you have trouble with immigration? I know we can't get wooden or plant items into Au.

Linda Starr said...

wonderful antiquities takes the flea market to a whole new level

Magdalena said...

Oh how I would love to walk and find those beautiful things with you!
I love everything!

So,so beautiful!

Jo Murray said...

Extraordinary finds Donna... I am positively green

ELFI said...

que de beaux objets..une préférence pour les tissus..

Ian Foster said...

What fabulous treasures, you must have had great difficulty in knowing when to stop buying. I wish we had a flea market that was half as interesting near here.
I will be watching for some of these to appear in your future postings.

mycuriousteaparty said...

The most amazing market finds I have EVER seen.. It must have been so exciting, thank you for sharing..

Fiona Dempster said...

What a delicious and delightful gathering of beautiful bibs and bobs Donna! The joy of the markets is shown so clearly in your photos and words; it must have been a little bit magical, other worldly I think. Thanks too for the dates - if we get back t Kyoto we will know when to go!

Barry said...

D-as so many others have said the stash is just so delicious, inspirational, calming and certainly envy inducing. Really glad that you had such a good time and gather so many treasures for house, garden and art. And such good tips about where and when to be at the markets. Go well. B

Anonymous said...

it puts my op shopping to shame!

Don is gaga over the ikebana basket in the second image...

ArtPropelled said...

Oohhhh I'm going to have to lie down! If I've got palpitations I'm wondering how you were able to contain yourself Donna. Such amazing things!!! The carved necklace... like a tied bundle has my rapt attention.... and the Boro fabrics, the papers, scrolls, stamps and chunky little brushes .... just wonderful!

lyle baxter said...

may I please move to your house! what marvelous finds. you must have had the best time looking at all the treasures! I'm with EB oooooo I'll be back !

Lynn said...

Oh my goodness!
Every image is gorgeous.
Thank you for the show and tell of the wonderful items you've brought back.
I'm flabbergasted!

lynda Howells said...

oh my goodness you wonderfully lucky woman..they are so gorgeous. i am so jealous but at the same time, so pleased for you.xxwhat findsxxx i must go one day, japan has always fasinated mex thank you for sharing your finds with usx
Lynda

Caterina Giglio said...

ooooohhhh my....
what a collection ... such treasures, i think I must have a bit of a lie down after seeing all of this...
amazing...xx

Ruth Armitage said...

So glad you were able to fill your heart & hands with these beautiful treasures. The rabbit pin is sweet and the rest is the icing on the cake.

Max the Lobster said...

you must have taken a very large empty suitcase! what wonderful treasures, of which i am particularly jealous of the textiles and paper items.

Sharon said...

Totally Divine Madness! Every piece perfection.

magpie said...

im with eb...
single syllables
mostly
OHs..

Petra Eller said...

Wonderful pieces ..... especially the indigo fabrics. What a wonderful inspiration.
I like the words of Rilke very much.
Yes, flea markets are often heavenly.

deborah from collagewhirl said...

Palpitations, speechless, jealous...everyone seems to agree that your finds are simply spectacular!! Well worth it to time a visit to Japan just for the flea markets--though I'm sure there's much much more to see. Thanks for sharing all this awesomeness, Donna.

india flint said...

glad you had such a splendid time!

~Babs said...

Oh my!
Who'd have thought there would be flea markets in Japan.
Everything seems to be a priceless treasure of antiquity you'd find in museums or galleries.Not a flea market.
What a stash of joy you came home with!

Donna Iona Drozda said...

speechless...

smiling

stitching in the sun said...

I just discovered your blog and it's wonderful, I'm going to savour it backworks bit by bit

Carole Reid said...

Ohhh I'm feeling a little green with envy but also full of joy for you! You must have had a wonderful time at the flea markets!

annell4 said...

Wonderful finds, collecting character... thanks for sharing...

r.bohnenkamp said...

many thanks for sharing Donna!
wonderful!!!

Deborah said...

Wonderful, wonderful finds!

nancy neva gagliano said...

oh, my....one great big wanna be at the flea market in kyoto here. your finds are wonderful...how nice to bring part of that place home with you to your place...happiness: stone awakening.

Cynthia Monica said...

What exquisite treasures you found...thanks for sharing your journey to such a wonderful place...

Velma Bolyard said...

did my gushing comment lose it's way? no matter, what a gret trip you had!

mano said...

fabulous treasures! I love the papers, scrolls, the indigo fabrics and the cups with dots very much. all is so great!!

SHUBHANKAR ADHIKARI said...

Very informative post.

Seth said...

Each picture is better than the next. What a collection of treasures. Mu favorites are definitely the scrolls, books, and envelopes. Paper!

Di said...

What wonderful finds at a wonderful market...I would have had trouble choosing :)

Sue said...

Envy envy... You must be sooo happy about these treasures. These magical items can really open your heart.

Hannah said...

I love imagining your feeling of anticipation before reaching the market and your excitement at seeing all of these treasures so lovingly arranged--and the delicious sensation of choosing. Your words and images allow us to join you. Thanks!

Teri said...

How wonderful you have placed all of these things you found. There is an artful placement of these things that not many people would even consider. But you have Donna. And I am so envious of that hand-carved rabbit pin! Love rabbits!!

Jill Zaheer said...

What an amazing journey of your finds from Japan. Each picture is a gift unto itself. What unique and exciting finds in each and everyone of your photos. Just magical!

Gaby Bee said...

Oh my goodness, what awesome treasures you found...looks like a collection you might find in a museum. You must have had a wonderful time at these flea markets!
Thanks for sharing, Donna.

sukipoet said...

so many comments on this marvelous post. You have such a good eye. I think I'd be so overwhelmed by all the treasures that I'd never be able to select any.

love the Rilke and have copied it out for the sort of like a Tibetan Prayer book I am making.

Thank you

Jala Pfaff said...

Wow!!!

Tammie Lee said...

oh my gosh, so many amazing treasures. I came here from Barry's blogs sidebar where i found you and the rabbit. Each post caught my eye and I kept looking and reading. you have wonderful taste in treasures!

Anonymous said...

I love your treasures! Do you still live in the Kyoto area? I live in the Japan and I would love to go to the Kyoto flea market on the 21st of each month. Is it worth going? I am looking to score on lots of kokeshi dolls!