120. A Winding Path Through Kyoto

This is another famous sightseeing spot called Ishibe Koji (Stone Wall Ally) in Kyoto, Japan. The stony lane is winding and traditional houses or 'machiya' stand face to face with the lane between the stone walls. There are many exclusive traditional Japanese-style restaurants and inns on this street. The sign in the painting shows the name of a tea room and it says “Yoshimoto” in Japanese. If you have a chance to walk on this street, you will notice the stillness at once. The street is located in the busy urban area, but it is always very quiet as vehicles are prohibited. Also, you will be able to feel the atmosphere of the Taisho period (1912-1926), because the street and houses were built during this period. The area used to be a part of the garden of Entokuin Temple. In addition, each stone embed in the street was brought here from the remnants of Kyoto's former streetcar roads. Kyoto’s streetcar system was abolished in 1978. If you keep walking up this street, it leads you to the entrance of one of the most famous temples in the east side of Kyoto, Kodaiji, which is my favorite.

I painted this in June, 2013

NOT FOR SALE