iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

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Michelle says: Be kind. Always. ❤️ @snarkysillysad.bsky.social · 05/10/2026

@oregoncoastaquarium captures video of a sea otter grooming its fur in the water: #AGoodPlace

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The Kimono Gallery @roger1952.bsky.social · 04/10/2026

Created by modern Nihonga painter Yu Miyazaki (宮崎優), this work offers a contemporary continuation of the celebrated bijinga (paintings of beautiful women) tradition.

Cradled securely in her arms, a tuxedo cat with striking emerald eyes gazes outward while a young woman with a sleek, dark bob looks down at her feline companion with quiet affection. She wears a striking kimono patterned in bold, rhythmic stripes of deep navy blue, warm mustard yellow, and rich crimson, its folds wrapping loosely around the cat's soft white chest and paws. Behind them, translucent paper shōji panels set within a warm wooden frame filter the ambient daylight, establishing a serene, traditional interior backdrop. The painting radiates an intimate sensory atmosphere: the soft, rhythmic purr vibrating against heavy woven silk, the gentle warmth of a sunlit room, the faint scent of polished wood and fresh paper, and the cozy, unhurried tranquility of a shared afternoon. Created by modern Nihonga painter Yu Miyazaki (宮崎優), this work offers a contemporary continuation of the celebrated bijinga (paintings of beautiful women) tradition. The vibrant striped motif (shima-moyo) of the kimono echoes the casual, urban fashion popularized during the Taishō and early Shōwa eras, often associated with versatile meisen silk weaves. Miyazaki's process exemplifies the meticulous spirit of traditional monozukuri (artisanal mastery), utilizing classical Nihonga techniques where natural mineral pigments (iwa-enogu), crushed shells, and earth tones are bound with animal hide glue (nikawa) on handmade paper. The ultra-fine line work—rendering every delicate strand of hair, the soft texture of the cat's fur, and the precise geometric symmetry of the textile stripes—bridges centuries-old Japanese painting traditions with a fresh, modern sensibility.

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The Kimono Gallery @roger1952.bsky.social · 29/09/2026

The gate of Bishamontang, Emissary Santo, Yamashina District, Kyoto City

Framed by a blazing canopy of Japanese maples (momiji), a steep stone pathway (chokushimichi) rises toward a dark wooden gate, its steps completely buried beneath a thick carpet of scarlet foliage. Slender bamboo handrails flank the stone stairs, leading the eye along a dramatic linear perspective toward the imperial messenger gate at the crest of the slope. Overhead, interlocking branches filter the light, casting a warm crimson glow over the damp stone and moss-covered embankments. The scene evokes an intimate sensory atmosphere: the crisp mountain air of a Kyoto morning, the faint scent of damp moss and aged cedar, the soft crunch of fallen leaves underfoot, and the profound, reverent hush of an ancient temple precinct.
Located at Bishamon-do Temple in the Yamashina District of Kyoto, this approach—known as the chokushimichi (Imperial Messenger Path)—is renowned for its late-autumn sando (shrine approach), where fallen leaves form an iconic momiji no jūtan (maple carpet). Originally founded in 703 AD by the monk Gyōki and re-established at its present site in 1665, Bishamon-dō is a distinguished monozeki temple (traditionally presided over by members of the imperial family or high nobility). The Chokushimon Gate at the top of the stairs was reserved for official imperial envoys, reflecting the sanctuary's esteemed lineage. The seamless integration of stone masonry, timber architecture, and natural forest contours reflects the supreme craft of Japanese zōen (landscape architecture) and monozukuri (artisanal mastery), designed to celebrate the subtle shifts of the seasonal calendar.

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The Kimono Gallery @roger1952.bsky.social · 26/09/2026

This photograph captures the essence of kōyō (or momijigari, the seasonal custom of autumn foliage viewing), a cherished pastime in Japan that dates back to the refined courtly culture of the Heian period (794–1185).

Framed in a breathtaking display of autumn brilliance, a towering canopy of fiery crimson Japanese maple (momiji) and luminous golden ginkgo (ichō) expands above a rugged, hand-stacked stone retaining wall (ishigaki). At the base of the wall, a thick, glowing carpet of fallen ginkgo leaves covers the earth like a golden tapestry. Standing amidst this fallen foliage are two quiet figures holding bright, matching umbrellas—one vibrant yellow and one deep red—strikingly echoing the dual-colored canopy towering above them. The soft, diffused light of a damp autumn day illuminates the scene, evoking the tactile coolness of mountain air, the subtle scent of damp earth, and the quiet rustle of fallen leaves underfoot.
Both the maple and ginkgo serve as quintessential fūbutsushi—poetic seasonal markers that signify the peak of autumn across the archipelago. The presence of the weathered stone masonry and the corner of a traditional timber building suggests the sanctuary of a temple or shrine precinct nestled in the mountains. Here, the deliberate integration of architectural stonework with the surrounding forest demonstrates the enduring tradition of Japanese monozukuri (artisanal mastery in environmental design), where human cultivation acts in gentle harmony with the wild cycles of nature.

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I 💙 Dogs @dogs100.bsky.social · 24/09/2026

I want them all but will settle for anyone….

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The Kimono Gallery @roger1952.bsky.social · 23/09/2026

Misty path to Dewa Sanzan temples, Japan (Photography by Ah Bee Panda).

Ascending through a dense cathedral of ancient, towering Japanese cedars (sugi), a moss-carpeted stone staircase (ishidan) carves a dark, deliberate path into the veil of a mountain mist. The lower foreground is grounded by deep, ink-like tones of wet slate and weathered bark, where ferns and emerald moss cling to centuries-old roots. Above, a heavy, luminous fog softens the canopy, partially dissolving the distant forest and the silhouetted eaves of hidden shrine architecture into an ethereal, monochromatic haze. The high-contrast interplay between the damp, dark stones below and the pale, misty void above creates an immersive sensory landscape filled with the quiet aroma of damp pine, damp earth, and cool mountain air.
Photographed by Ah Bee Panda, this composition captures the sacred approach (sandō) of Mount Haguro, one of the revered Dewa Sanzan (Three Mountains of Dewa) nestled in Yamagata Prefecture. Comprising 2,446 hand-laid stone steps lined by over five hundred ancient cedars, this trail has served for over a millennium as a pilgrimage route for practitioners of Shugendō—a syncretic tradition combining Shinto nature worship, Esoteric Buddhism, and mountain asceticism. Within Shugendō cosmology, traversing the Dewa Sanzan represents a symbolic journey of spiritual death and rebirth, with Mount Haguro representing the present physical life. The meticulous construction of these stone stairs and the preservation of the sacred grove demonstrate a profound environmental monozukuri (artisanal mastery in sacred design), where human devotion is sculpted into permanent, harmonious dialogue with the living forest.

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The Kimono Gallery @roger1952.bsky.social · 20/09/2026

This woodblock print, designed in 1861, is a celebrated portrait masterpiece by the late-Edo period ukiyo-e titan Utagawa Kunisada (1786–1865)

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The Kimono Gallery @roger1952.bsky.social · 16/09/2026

Mt.Fuji rising above the morning fog at Kawaguchiko Lake, Japan. Photography by Chaluntorn Preeyasombat on 500px

Rising out of a dense, atmospheric sea of morning fog, the snow-capped apex of Mount Fuji (Fujisan) pierces the upper sky in stark monochrome contrast. Below, the dark, glassy surface of Lake Kawaguchiko carries subtle, rhythmic ripples, its shoreline completely dissolved beneath a heavy mantle of mist that obscures the terrestrial landscape. The sunlit volcanic peak appears suspended in midair, disconnected from the earth, its frozen gullies etched in crisp highlight against the soft haze. Sweeping across the mountain's eastern slope, a flock of birds flies in disciplined V-formation, their delicate silhouettes underscoring the monumental scale of the sacred peak.

Photographed across the waters of Lake Kawaguchiko—one of the famed Fuji Five Lakes (Fuji Goko) in Yamanashi Prefecture—this view situates the peak within centuries of sacred geography and visual tradition.
Aesthetically, the composition relies masterfully on miegakure (the principle of hide-and-reveal), where the dense cloud bank conceals the terrestrial base to give the emerging summit an ethereal, weightless presence. The vast, impenetrable shroud of grey mist functions as an active field of yohaku (meaningful negative space), stripping away temporal clutter to isolate the sacred cone in pure contemplation. This impenetrable layer of vapor operates as a natural kekkai (sacred boundary), separating the profane, waterbound world below from the divine sanctuary above. Enveloped in an atmosphere of profound yūgen—the deep, unutterable mystery of nature's hidden truths—the suspended peak projects an aura of absolute seijaku (tranquil quietude).

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The Kimono Gallery @roger1952.bsky.social · 16/09/2026

Frame 25a1 from book “Kanda Festival” published in 1924. National Diet Library. [wiki]: Kanda Matsuri or the Kanda Festival, is one of the three great Shinto festivals of Tokyo, Japan.

Perched in pristine majesty atop a large crimson drum, a white pheasant (kiji) anchors the festive heraldry of Kijichō in a woodblock print from the 1924 chronicle of the Kanda Festival (Kanda Matsuri). The bird’s sculpted white plumage and vivid red eye patch are rendered with sharp, calligraphic clarity, its claws gripping the rounded surface of a ceremonial drum (taiko) painted with swirling gold clouds and a central mitsudomoe (triple-comma) crest. Slender pine saplings (matsu) rise behind the bird, their needles framing its tail feathers against the sky. Below, a tier of black lacquer adorned with gilded brass fittings (kazari-kanagu) and a vermilion railing (kōran) supports the sacred arrangement, while vertical calligraphic cartouches mark its designation as entry number thirty for Kijichō alongside the names of neighborhood patrons.

Published in 1924—shortly after the catastrophic 1923 Great Kantō Earthquake—this print from the collection of the National Diet Library records the grand festival float toppers (dashi-kazari) that once defined Tokyo's premier Shinto spectacle. Celebrated in devotion to Kanda Shrine (Kanda Myōjin), the Kanda Matsuri was historically one of the rare Tenga Matsuri permitted to enter Edo Castle before the Shogun. Kijichō ("Pheasant Town"), a neighborhood whose origins trace back to Edo-period falconry grounds, chose the pheasant as its heraldic namesake. Iconographically, the motif of a bird resting peacefully atop a silent drum (kanko-daiko) derives from ancient legend, serving as a classical symbol of peace and virtuous governance—a state of harmony so profound that the war drum remains unbeaten, allowing wild birds to nest undisturbed upon its frame.

Aesthetically, the float ornament exemplifies the integration of traditional monozukuri (artisanal craft), uniting lacquerwork, metal smithing, and woodblock printmaking into a singular sacred banner.

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The Kimono Gallery @roger1952.bsky.social · 16/09/2026

Buddha statue, Japan.

Veiled behind a luminous, soft-focus canopy of scarlet maple leaves (momiji), a carved stone Buddha (sekibutsu) sits in eternal, inward contemplation. The blurred, vibrant pinkish-red foliage casts an ethereal, dappled filter across the statue's features, partially screening its face and chest. Sculpted from weathered grey stone, the figure exhibits the traditional spiral snail-shell curls (nikkei) crowning the uṣṇīṣa, serene downcast eyes (hangan) closed in meditation, and softly flowing, parallel pleats of monastic drapery cascading over its shoulders. The porous, pitted surface of the stone—flecked with subtle weathering and the patina of age—stands in striking contrast to the delicate, translucent softness of the autumn leaves floating through the foreground.

Outdoor stone Buddhist icons (sekibutsu) have formed an integral part of the Japanese spiritual landscape since the introduction of Buddhism, gaining widespread popularity during the Heian and Kamakura periods as devotion expanded into mountain sanctuaries and temple gardens. Unlike gilded bronze or lacquered wooden images enshrined within the dark interiors of main halls (hondō), stone statuary was sculpted specifically to endure the elements, becoming living components of the surrounding environment. In sacred precincts across Kyoto and Nara, the arrival of autumn brings momijigari (the traditional pastime of viewing autumn foliage), where the brilliant, fleeting turn of the leaves frames centuries-old statuary, transforming temple grounds into dynamic, seasonal mandalas.

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I 💙 Dogs @dogs100.bsky.social · 16/09/2026

The ultimate cuteness overload….

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Shaun C @shaunc9.bsky.social · 16/09/2026

Rigatoni alla vodka with pan-fried salmon. I was hungry and after cooking this, I'm not hungry anymore 🤣🤣

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The Kimono Gallery @roger1952.bsky.social · 04/09/2026

Autumn - Kyoto, Japan

Nestled beneath a blazing canopy of Japanese maples (iroha-momiji), a quiet Kyoto sanctuary is enveloped in the fiery crescendo of autumn (kōyō). The composition frames a traditional residence—distinguished by its dark grey ceramic roof tiles (ibushi-gawara) and crisp white plaster walls (shikkuikabe)—partially veiled behind a dense lattice of silver-barked branches and brilliant foliage. Leaves in shades of incandescent crimson, burnt orange, and sunlit ochre cascade down from the upper canopy, contrasted against the deep, evergreen shadows of the surrounding mountain forest. On the flagstone approach (nobe-dan) leading to the shadowed doorway, a lone visitor stands looking upward, wrapped in quiet contemplation beneath the autumn arbor.

This autumnal tableau reflects the deep-rooted cultural tradition of momijigari ("hunting autumn leaves"), a seasonal pilgrimage celebrated in Japan since the Heian period. In Kyoto’s historic districts—such as Sagano, Higashiyama, and Arashiyama—architectural design has long been tailored to honor the natural terrain. Residences and temple sub-complexes utilize low rooflines and natural building materials to yield visually to the surrounding garden and forest. The grey clay tiles and dark timber framing act as a neutral, grounded foundation, allowing the fiery, short-lived transformation of the maples to dominate the visual landscape.

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The Kimono Gallery @roger1952.bsky.social · 13/09/2026

Red weeping cherry tree, Kodaiji Temple, Higashiyama Ward, Kyoto City, Japan

Cascading in a luminous canopy of deep pink blossoms, a magnificent red weeping cherry tree (beni-shidarezakura) swoops over the courtyard of Kōdai-ji under an incandescent twilight sky. Its weeping boughs drop toward a dry landscape garden (karesansui), where pale gravel (shirakawa-suna) is sculpted into fluid, sweeping waves. Sinuous ribbons of red, yellow, and green illumination trace the contours of the raked sand, creating the illusion of glowing currents meandering around the tree’s mossy island. In the background, warm light illuminates the sweeping curved gables of an outer gate and decorative screen, contrasting the warm glow of the garden against the deep indigo hue of the evening air.
Here, the central weeping cherry—a focal point of Kyoto’s spring calendar—bridges centuries of Zen gardening tradition with modern visual display, translating the fleeting ritual of flower viewing (hanami) into a theatrical nocturnal spectacle.

Aesthetically, the composition presents a dramatic meditation on mono no aware—the bittersweet awareness of impermanence—as the weeping cherry reaches the peak of its ephemeral bloom. The intense contrast between the glowing pink canopy and the darkening cobalt sky evokes a profound sense of yūgen, capturing the mysterious, shadowy depth of twilight (magatoki). The raked gravel, patterned with vibrant illuminated currents, functions as a dynamic application of yohaku (active negative space), turning empty ground into a stylized representation of cosmic water. Bounded by the perimeter of the Abbot’s Hall, the garden acts as a spiritual kekkai (sacred threshold), isolating the viewer within a sanctuary of contemplative awe.

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Shaun C @shaunc9.bsky.social · 14/09/2026

Manifesting a trip to Japan, Kyoto is favourite.

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Shaun C @shaunc9.bsky.social · 13/09/2026

Now this is a problem when deciding a full back tattoo. I wanted a dragon head but now also I like a hannya mask. What to do?

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Shaun C @shaunc9.bsky.social · 12/09/2026

Chocolate, chocolate?? CHOCOLATE!!!!!

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Street Art Utopia @streetartutopia.com · 09/09/2026

💧 The Water Carrier — By Juandres Vera and Tardor in Riola, Spain 🇪🇸 From Epic to Ridiculous (9 Photos): streetartutopia.com/2026/09/09/s...

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Shaun C @shaunc9.bsky.social · 06/09/2026

London is red 🔴🟥⚽

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Shaun C @shaunc9.bsky.social · 06/09/2026

So true and most pumpkin spice lattes don't have real pumpkin in it!!!🎃🎃

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Pictures of the Floating World @floatingworlds.bsky.social · 30/04/2025

Kazuaki Kitamura (b.1971) is a well-known contemporary Japanese tattoo artist commonly known as "Horitomo".

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Pictures of the Floating World @floatingworlds.bsky.social · 23/05/2025

UtagawaKunisadaIII 1848-1940 -DragonandJapaneseintraditionalcostume #Japanese #woodblock

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Pictures of the Floating World @floatingworlds.bsky.social · 02/06/2025

Mike Dorsey is a painter/tattoo artist famous for his Japanese inspired body art. There is a book of his reimagined Japanese imagery called Japan Reimagined.

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Pictures of the Floating World @floatingworlds.bsky.social · 05/06/2025

Kasamatsu Shiro (1898-1992) Pagoda in Evening Rain #japanese #woodblock

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Shaun C @shaunc9.bsky.social · 25/07/2026

Already got my Japanese leg sleeve done, now planning for a back piece. So planning for something like this of a massive dragon head. The urge of having more tattoos is so real.

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Shaun C @shaunc9.bsky.social · 19/07/2026

🇪🇸True football has won. No dark arts, no overall corruption to favour another team. Spain won and so they deserved 🇪🇸. But FIFA needs to get rid of its corruption and Infantino has to leave and no ads shouldn't be played on hydration breaks. Onto the regular season football soon

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Shaun C @shaunc9.bsky.social · 07/06/2026

Have to do this again since the rules are edited picking Spain @discreetdolls.bsky.social

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DISCREET DOLLS @discreetdolls.bsky.social · 07/06/2026

🏆⚽ World Cup Giveaway ⚽🏆 Daily giveaways June 11–July 19 🔥 💰 $50 Daily Prize 💰 • 1 winner daily • Limit 1 win per client How to Enter: • Follow us + repost our pinned post • Pick 1 team for the tournament • Post your pick + tag us in your post ⏳ Entries close June 10. Good luck! 🍀

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