published in

"Textile Architecture"
ed: Sylvie Kruger
Jovis
2009

ISBN-13: 978-3868590173



My room with a view at Shojoshin-in in Koyasan during a Japan trip in 2008. This is a Buddhist temple lodge, therefore all food served there is strict vegetarian. Very Zen. Just pray the neighbours don't snore - all walls and doors are paper screens.

* hides not-so-zen TV set sneakily in room corner*

I took this picture shortly after arrival in Koya-san, following an early-morning swift ride on the Shinkansen Bullet Train from my friends house in Tokyo to Osaka, then a very slow ride ona toy train to Wakayama, finally a very very slow ride in a very dinky scenic train up to Koya-San. In the end, it took me 2.5 hours to cover 700km, them another 5 hours to cover a 100km, and I had to rush for dinner! it was a bizarre experience, dinner - served in a large hall decked out in tatami mats. the other 6 or 8 guests were all in pairs, and I was alone. This was the first tie I spent properly alone on this trip, having spent time with friends in Tokyo and being properly entertained, It didn't help that my boyfriend had dumped me a unceremoniously a few weeks earlier. Imagine my mood when I walked on the cemetery hill at dusk just after dinner... all melancholy, but quite fitting in this atmosphere of peace, quiet and solitude.