Pat's Blog

Franz Kline (1910~1962) the American mainly abstract Expressionist painter once said something I’ve always remembered; “The final test of a painting, theirs, mine, any other, is; does the painter’s emotions come across?”

http://www.pinterest.com/pin/200832464606218507/
Kline was heavily influenced by the power & emotion of Oriental calligraphy, particularly Japanese calligraphy. Unlike Kline’s oil paintings, in this art form there’s no room for second takes. It happens spontaneously and successfully or not at all.



In the Takamatsu City Gallery for this coming week, there is an exhibition of calligraphy that meets all of Kline’s criteria and then some more.

http://www.city.takamatsu.kagawa.jp/english/sightseeing/sees/takamatsu-city-museum-of-art.html



Almost always based on ‘kanji’ (Chinese characters) the paintings all have a power that cannot fail to be unrecognized and frankly it doesn’t really matter if one can read the kanji or not.



In fact some of the works are beyond the representation of kanji and move into the area of abstract expressionism.



This is an exciting exhibition and well worth a visit. Admission is free and it’s on the second floor of the gallery. Please do drop in to take a look.





** Upcoming events. “Takamatsu=Arts for the upcoming Media Art Festival” next year. Details available as they come to hand so please stay posted on Pat and Cathy’s blog her on the Ashita Sanuki’s Art Takamatsu site.

October 10th~ 19th The Takamatsu Autumn Festival A fireworks display and the 19th Daimyo’s (feudal lord’s) procession in Bushozan just outside Takamatsu and easily accessible by Kotoden train. This is a wonderful event in the historical Bushozan town. Highly recommended!


29th (Wed.) November~3rd November (Mon.) Takamatsu Bonsai Festival.

Details to be announced on this site or call (087) 837 6003.

29th Oct.~1st November (Sat.) Bonsai Stones exhibition at Hiunkaku Tamamo Park

29th Oct. ~1st November Garden light up in Tamamo Park

31st Oct~2nd Nov. Bonsai and garden plants exhibition in Ritsurin Garden (Kikugetsu-tei building)

#1st October~2nd Nov. The Great Bonsai Exhibition and sale in the Kokubunji Bonsai Center

For further information in English or Chinese, please call the Takamatsu City Information office at I-Pal Kagawa

(087) 837 6003

For more info on Takamatsu:

http://wikitravel.org/en/Takamatsu

http://www.city.takamatsu.kagawa.jp/english/

http://tia-takamatsu.jp/

http://www.my-kagawa.jp/eg/

http://www.my-kagawa.jp/special/visitor/kanko/index.htm

http://www.i-pal.or.jp/profile/topics/kagawas-welcome-card.html

Other bloggers in Takamatsu of interest:

http://cathy.ashita-sanuki.jp

http://ogijima.com

http://ww8.tiki.ne.jp/~tmath/home/   

The city of Takamatsu in Kagawa is the home of udon. This flour-based noodle is deceptively simple, yet tricky to make well, as it takes years and years of practice and skill to get it just right. The subtle taste and texture vary from shop to shop with the famous ones having long lines outside, particularly at lunchtimes. So how do we choose our udon?



The answer is; by looking at the plastic food models which are often in the windows. They will tell you. Even if you can’t read Japanese these will give you both a pretty good idea of amounts and prices.



Like most foods, udon is basically hot or cold and both are equally delicious. Much of the flavor depends on skill of the maker to get the right ‘chewy’ texture and the condiments including green onions, chili spice (ichimi = one spice) or (chichi mi=seven spices) which will be on your table or near the cash register as you pay. Sloppy texture-less udon will never do!



Toppings & side dishes including tempura vegetables are also important for flavor is the addition of a little soy sauce according to taste. However if you’re in need of further classifications then a quick search on this site below will tell you the different kinds.

https://www.google.com/search?q=types+of+udon+dishes&biw=1536&bih=688&source=lnms&sa=X&ei=GrcbVNa2F8-j8AW544HwBg&ved=0CAUQ_AUoAA&dpr=1

Udon is primarily a cheap dish and very quick to prepare for a customer. So you really shouldn’t have to spend any more than $5.00 or so for a satisfying meal.




Writing about this made me hungry for udon so I went and bought a bowl (see photo)


** Upcoming events. “Takamatsu=Arts for the upcoming Media Art Festival” next year. Details available as they come to hand so please stay posted on Pat and Cathy’s blog her on the Ashita Sanuki’s Art Takamatsu site.


October 10 th~ 19 th The Takamatsu Autumn Festival A fireworks display and the 19 th Daimyo’s (feudal lord’s) procession in Bushozan just outside Takamatsu and easily accessible by Kotoden train. This is a wonderful event in the historical Bushozan town. Highly recommended!


29 th (Wed.) November~3rd November (Mon.) Takamatsu Bonsai Festival.

Details to be announced on this site or call (087) 837 6003.

29 th Oct.~1st November (Sat.) Bonsai Stones exhibition at Hiunkaku Tamamo Park

29 th Oct. ~1st November Garden light up in Tamamo Park

31 st Oct~2 nd Nov. Bonsai and garden plants exhibition in Ritsurin Garden (Kikugetsu-tei building)

#1st October~2nd Nov. The Great Bonsai Exhibition and sale in the Kokubunji Bonsai Center

For further information in English or Chinese, please call the Takamatsu City Information office at I-Pal Kagawa

(087) 837 6003

For more info on Takamatsu:

http://wikitravel.org/en/Takamatsu

http://www.city.takamatsu.kagawa.jp/english/

http://tia-takamatsu.jp/

http://www.my-kagawa.jp/eg/

http://www.my-kagawa.jp/special/visitor/kanko/index.htm

http://www.i-pal.or.jp/profile/topics/kagawas-welcome-card.html

Other bloggers in Takamatsu of interest:

http://cathy.ashita-sanuki.jp

http://ogijima.com

http://ww8.tiki.ne.jp/~tmath/home/