Shirakawa Cherry Blossom Japan

Description

Shirakawa-go World Heritage Gassho Houses, Nanto, Toyama, Japan in cherry blossom season.
The Gassho houses are renowned for their very steep roof pitch and extremely thick thatch. They are still residences for local villagers although this is a public park.

As an artist in Japan, I greatly appreciate the use of trees, water and rocks, the three basic elements of Japanese gardens.  I appreciate that this village offers the basic needs for life in the 21st century, while demonstrating the natural materials and construction techniques of a bygone era.  As someone who lives in a temperate climate, I am reminded of the winter in this area by piles of snow away from the main paths, and by the distant snow-clad mountains.  The spectacular cherry blossoms are harbingers of warmer days ahead.

Interestingly, while I understand that the use of thatch is peculiar to this area, there are many remote villages in Japan where old houses use natural materials such as wood and slate.  Away from congested cities, Japan offers scenery of unequaled beauty.  A realist artist’s paradise.

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