Obsessions & Flea Markets

"Whether we call it collecting, scavenging, accumulating, scrounging, gathering, or junking, it's all about the urge to surround ourselves with our stuff, our loot, our stash, our hoard, our mother lode of treasures, and to reap the inspiration that these sometimes inexplicably irresistible objects provide." Lynne Perrella, from her book ART MAKING, COLLECTIONS & OBSESSIONS. This is a wonderful book which includes the collections and artwork of 35 wonderful artists. You can find out more about this book and how to acquire it here.

In Kyoto, on the 21st of every month, is the Kobo-san Market Fair held at To-ji Temple. On the 25th of every month, is the Tenjin-san Market, held at the Kitano Tenman-gu Shrine. These are considered among the biggest, best flea markets in Asia. They are both very colorful, festive, crowded and very, very large.... and quite simply -- FABULOUS!

We do love things that bear the marks of grime,
soot, and weather, and we love colors
and sheen that call to mind the past that
made them. ---Tanizaki Junichiro