I can hardly find words to describe the beauty of the embellishments on the Karamon Gate, the entrance to Nijo Castle. I keep coming back to the word elegant; the elegant simplicity of the overall design, which yet also incorporates great detail in the painted carvings and in the extravagant gold ornamentation. And for all its elegant simplicity it’s also royally lavish, and that appeals to me as well. I lean back and look up, straining my neck, wishing I could get closer to all that beauty. Latest blog post: Exploring Japanese Style - from the whimsical to the sublime. Link in bio.