#grey-edo-painted-silk

[degournay]

Learn about Degournay's captivating "Original Colourway on Olive Tobacco" series. Degournay, a company renowned for its craftsmanship and sophistication, offers a stunning selection of designs that meld heritage with contemporary attractiveness. These stunning masterpieces are given a warm and welcoming touch by the Olive Tobacco backdrop, which gives every environment a distinctive atmosphere. Each piece is made with painstaking attention to detail and exudes classic craftsmanship, making it a fantastic complement to your living spaces. Enhance your decor with Degournay's unique artistry to bring new levels of beauty to your surroundings.

[mia-japanese-korean]

Great Generals of the East and West, Tsukioka Yoshitoshi, c. 1874, Minneapolis Institute of Art: Japanese and Korean Art

right scroll of a pair; three figures (from left): small standing European boy with red hair, wearing a grey military cap, baggy grey jacket, red vest with brass buttons and baggy white pants tucked into slouchy grey boots; standing elderly Asian man wearing a black robe and black hat, holding a white fan; steaming copper kettle on a square brazier resting on a table covered with a flowered cloth in front of and to left of man; Asian child with scruffy black hair wearing a brown and green robe, seated on floor, hugging a frightened-looking black and white dog One of the largest paintings by Yoshitoshi, this is also one of the most mysterious. The six people from right to left are the warlord and unifier of Japan Toyotomi Hideyoshi (1537–1598), as a child with dog; the first shogun of the Edo period (1603–1868), Tokugawa Ieyasu (1543–1616); the first president of the United States, George Washington (1732–1799), as a drummer boy during the American Civil War; the feudal lord Mōri Motonari (1497–1571); Date Masamune (1579–1636), the Lord of Sendai; and the emperor of France Napoleon III (1808–1873). The signature indicates that this painting was commissioned, and the signature style puts the date at around 1874. Napoleon III’s death in 1873 might have been the stimulus. But the meaning of this painting, including such puzzling elements as the boiling kettle, remains unclear. Yoshitoshi’s humongous seal on the left includes a line from the “Eight Immortals of the Wine Cup,” a poem attributed to the Chinese poet Du Fu (712–770): his brush produces cloud and mist (Chin. huihao luo zhi ru yunyan). Size: 63 3/4 × 39 13/16 in. (161.93 × 101.12 cm) (image) 79 1/8 × 45 3/8 in. (200.98 × 115.25 cm) (without roller) Medium: Ink and color on silk

https://collections.artsmia.org/art/123453/

[gaijinginger]

Arrival/Day One

When Japanese tourists visit Paris, a significant number of them experience severe panic attacks due to the extreme contrast between Paris as it’s depicted in Japanese culture and Paris as it actually is. All too often they get off the plane, and realize the city they’ve always known as being synonymous with romance and wonderment is actually just as loud, rude and dirty as the next million-person metropolis. Apparently this occurs so often that there’s an actual medical diagnosis, aptly dubbed “Paris Syndrome” (no joke, google it).

As I sat on my first flight leaving Boston on Tuesday night, I couldn’t help wondering if I would experience my own “Tokyo Syndrome” upon touching down at Narita airport. After a childhood spent watching Studio Ghibli films, an adolescence spent playing Nintendo, Sony & Konami video games, and, recently, an affinity for Akira Kurosawa movies and Neon Genesis Evangelion, I was legitimately concerned that my rosy perceptions of the city and Japan at large would be summarily shattered when I arrived. I’m very happy to say they weren’t. Obviously Japan isn’t completely the caricature I had of it before arriving, but that’s a good thing.

I arrived in Japan at around 9AM Tokyo Time (about 8PM EST), and after spending an hour in customs, acquiring my Train Pass, Subway Pass, and pocket wifi station (the most crucial purchase I’ve made thus far, I might note), I took my first bullet train into Tokyo. From there I made my first foray into the labyrinthine complexity of the Japanese subway system (significantly streamlined by Google Maps), and emerged in Kuramae, a relatively quiet (but still extremely densely populated) residential neighborhood where I dropped my bags at my first hostel, dubbed “MyCube by MYSTAYS Asakusa Kuramae” (the first of many examples of strange Japanese English I’ll probably cite on this blog).

It’s worth noting that my hostel is a “capsule hotel,” meaning that my hotel room is essentially a 6'x4'x5’ (that’s L*W*H for you numbers people) cube with a TV, a bed, and a locker beneath it where I store my luggage. For the claustrophobes among you that probably sounds like hell, but so far I’m a huge fan. Once you get your luggage unpacked and feng shui-ed, it’s quite cosy!

Once I dropped off my bags at the hostel, I made my way over to the nearby Akihabara neighborhood. Like Boston, Tokyo is a city of neighborhoods, but at a far greater scale. Akihabara is essentially the gaming and Anime district. I’m a huge fan of the former, but have honestly never really understood the latter outside specific (read: very very good) movies & shows like the aforementioned Studio Ghibli and Evangelion. Aside from that, it’s all weeb (a derogatory term used to denote westerners with a fixation for all things Japan, namely Anime) stuff to me. Akihabara looks like Times Square if you replaced all the surfaces that aren’t covered by screens with more screens. To borrow a phrase from Mike Daisey, it looks “like Blade Runner threw up on itself.” Massive billboards and LED displays clog every surface, and the streets are lined by girls in skimpy maid outfits (Japan’s fixation with girls in uniforms is still something I’m trying to wrap my head around; nearly every girl I’ve seen under the age of 18 has been dressed in a literal “schoolgirl uniform” and it’s really really really weird…) faux-flirt with passerby in attempts to lure them into “Maid Cafes,” where lonely Japanese men pay young attractive girls to pretend to be interested in them. While I try to keep an open mind when experiencing other cultures, this particular aspect of Japan stands out to me as being plain old sad and weird. Needless to say, Akihabara was quite a vibe for my first afternoon in Tokyo.

From there, I proceeded to a nearby Ramen shop and had American ramen ruined for me, forever. Like getting Pizza in Rome or Poutine in Montreal, it’s one of those things where trying the real thing makes all the imitations that much worse. The shop was set up like a bar, with the patrons sitting at a long counter behind which the owner of the shop worked away in the kitchen. Perhaps the best part of the meal was discovering a custom that’s apparently very common in Japanese restaurants; when you enter the restaurant, the entire staff greets you in unison, and when you leave, they thank you in similar fashion. Sitting and slurping my ramen, punctuated by the “Arigato Gozaimas!!”es for each and every patron leaving has been one of the more memorable experiences I’ve had so far.

After that I went back to my hostel, and fell asleep at around 4:30pm. Try as I might to sleep on the plane ride, I’m still wrestling with jet lag as I write this. Thank God for Tylenol PM and Coffee (separately).

This morning, I woke up at around 5. After sitting in bed watching Japanese TV for about an hour, I went downstairs and took advantage of my hostel’s continental breakfast, eating no less than two plates of eggs, ham and croissants, one bowl of cereal and three cups of iced coffee.

After that, I went to go check out Senso-Ji, the biggest shrine in Tokyo. Dozens of teeming streets lined with tiny shops selling all manner of Japan-centric trinkets give way to a huge inner plaza home to several large temples filled with huge paper lanterns, bells, massive paintings and silk screens. I got there at around 8AM, so it was pretty vacant. There’s apparently a huge festival going on there this weekend, and the TV in my hostel cube is currently broadcasting live from there as I write this.

After Senso-Ji, I made my way over to Tokyo Skytree, the tallest structure in Japan. Up until 2010 that honor was held by Tokyo Tower, another massive space-needle style structure on the other side of the city, but in classic architectural-weenie-wagging fashion the Skytree now beats it by about 1,000 feet. It’s so tall that at one point, the elevator to the top was going over 500 MPH. I know because it said so on a display inside. The view from the top was nothing short of spectacular, a 360 degree panorama of the entire city, which goes on as far as the eye can see. For what it’s worth, the Tokyo Metro area is the most populous metro area in the world (which seems like kind of a big deal). At the top of the Skytree, you don’t need the Wikipedia page for Tokyo to know this. You feel it, strongly, from the density spread out below you. It’s humbling to say the least.

From the Skytree, I walked over to the Edo Tokyo Museum, which covers the entire history of the Tokyo region in exhaustive detail from prehistory to the present. Perhaps the most interesting part of this visit was the section of the museum dedicated to the Second World War. Being the only westerner (let alone the only American) in a room filled with somber Japanese people reading about the thousands of people killed in the US firebombings of Tokyo was quite the experience, and I felt a significant degree of guilt-by-association. School taught me we were the “good guys,” (and don’t get me wrong, we were) although it’s exhibits like this one that remind me that war is always shades of grey.

After spending a few hours in the museum, I walked over to Komagata Dozeu, an institution that’s been serving up Dozeu, fish simmering in soy sauce served in a small iron cauldron over hot coals, since 1801. There are no chairs; everyone sits on small pillows on the floor in classic Japanese style. Needless to say it was the perfect follow-up to learning about pre-modern Japan at the Edo Tokyo museum.

That brings us up to the present; it’s about 7pm Japan time and I’ll probably head back out soon to find some food and take in the local nightlife, something I was woefully unable to do last night. The neon-studded nights of Tokyo are the stuff of cyberpunk legend. Hopefully I can be this thorough going forward in recounting my exploits! Thanks to all reading this for sharing in my adventure!

[degournay]

With our magnificent "Special Colourway on Edo Custom White Painted Silk" collection, go out on a voyage of artistic beauty. This alluring collection of silk fabric redefines elegance and gives your most treasured locations a hint of grandeur.

Our artists painstakingly created each piece, infusing it with the essence of Japanese history and culture, drawing inspiration from the rich heritage of Edo creativity. The uniquely picked colorway is presented on a custom white painted silk, which elevates it to new levels of refinement.

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Our "Special Colourway on Edo Custom White Painted Silk" line promises to be a timeless addition to your aesthetic toolkit whether you're making elegant clothing, embellishing your interiors with magnificent drapes, or creating bespoke decor pieces.

[degournay]

The De Gournay painting "Special Colourway on Brown Williamsburg" is the pinnacle of artistic excellence. With this special collection, De Gournay, a well-known name in the world of luxury design, has once again surpassed expectations.

Experience the enduring charm of Brown Williamsburg, a rich, earthy color that oozes refinement and warmth. This traditional color has been raised to new heights by the deft hands of De Gournay's artisans, who have created a captivating play of depth and texture.

Each piece in this collection is proof of De Gournay's unrelenting dedication to craftsmanship and attention to detail. A highly distinctive and alluring design is created by the subtle tone changes and detailed patterns working in perfect harmony.

[degournay]

Enjoy the opulent allure of our limited-edition "Special Colourway on Duck Egg Dyed Silk" line. This magnificent collection of silk fabric, created with the highest precision, redefines beauty and class. Duck egg blue is a classic color that generates a sense of calm and tranquillity. Soak up its delicate charm. Silk can now be dyed in this alluring tone, accentuating its natural sheen and producing a visual symphony of softness. Our experts have mastered the technique of doing this.

The great attention to detail in the color scheme is what distinguishes this collection. A captivating dance of light and shadow is produced by the unique combination of tones and minor variances, giving the fabric depth and personality. Each piece stands alone as a work of art that displays the artist's talent and dedication.

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[degournay]

The Standard Colourway on Pale Grey dyed silk is a stunning example of Degournay's own style. This stunning color scheme on pricey silk exudes sophistication and class. Degournay creates a visually magnificent work of art that lends a touch of refinement to any room by meticulously attending to every last detail of the colored silk. Get ready to enjoy the artistry and craftsmanship that distinguish Degournay as a pioneer in the interior design industry.

[degournay]

Hand-embroidered wallpaper brings the artistic blend of creativity and workmanship to life, transforming your walls into mesmerizing works of art. Degournay is the pinnacle of elegance and sophistication and perfectly captures the craftsmanship of hand-embroidered wallpaper.

Each piece of art is painstakingly created by talented artists, weaving intricate patterns and motifs that each tell a different story. Get mesmerized as your walls transform into a beautiful canvas representing the harmonious fusion of design and art.

[degournay]

Discover the captivating world of De Gournay's superb artistry with "Emerald on Green Dyed Paper." This beautiful piece of art is hand-painted using the best green-dyed paper and the brilliant attraction of emerald hues. The luxuriant green hues create tranquility as light dances across its surface, while the sparkling emerald accents offer a hint of grandeur. This pattern, which was skillfully created by De Gournay's skilled craftsmen, elegantly captures the spirit of the beauty of nature, adding a magical and opulent atmosphere to any area. Embellish your interiors with this classic work of art and enjoy De Gournay's "Emerald on Green Dyed Paper"'s allure.

[degournay]

The magnificent "Colourway SC-105 on Himalayan Rose Silk Dupion" by Degournay is now available. This intriguing pattern demonstrates how refinement and vitality can coexist in perfect harmony. The exquisitely crafted Himalayan Rose silk dupion makes the ideal backdrop for the captivating Colourway SC-105 design. Rich hues and delicate strokes blend together to create a captivating visual symphony. This extraordinary work of art by Degournay instantly transforms any place into a realm of eternal beauty, whether it is used to decorate walls or enhance interior furnishings.

[degournay]

Discover Degournay's "Original Colourway on Ocean Silver Gilded Paper with Pearlescent Antiquing" and its entrancing charm. This magnificent artwork is the pinnacle of artistic skill and opulence. The Ocean Silver gilded paper, decorated with the original colour scheme that expertly combines deep hues and intricate patterns, sets the stage for a visual symphony. This work of art is elevated to new levels of beauty by the addition of iridescent antiquing, which gives a touch of ethereal grace. Degournay's artisans exhibit their everlasting dedication to perfection in each and every stroke of their work, which is created with great attention to detail. Enter a world of sophisticated elegance and timelessness where this extraordinary item brings the blend of tradition and modernity to life. Discover the heart of Degournay's creativity, where each work of art tells a tale.

[degournay]

Degournay's seductive "Colourway SC-92 on Crackled Silver on Shell Pink Metallic Silk" is presented. This beautiful work is the epitome of how luxury and modern elegance can coexist together. Degournay's talented artisans have meticulously created the alluring SC-92 colorway, which features vivid hues against a background of shiny cracked silver. The exquisite shell pink tone of the mesmerising metallic silk gives this remarkable piece a hint of otherworldly elegance. The delicate designs and the smooth colour blending are the product of careful attention to detail, creating a work of art that oozes refinement. Degournay continues to redefine luxury and artistic expression with a long history of craftsmanship and a dedication to producing everlasting works of art, luring you into a world of unrivalled beauty.

[degournay]

The magnificent "Special Colourway on Grey Painted Xuan Paper" by Degournay is now available. This gorgeous design showcases a distinctive colour scheme on a background of sophisticated grey, fusing the classic elegance of Xuan paper with a modern twist. A genuinely stunning work of art has been expertly handcrafted by Degournay's artisans while paying close attention to every last detail. On this exceptional canvas, each brushstroke tells a narrative as the delicate colours gently blend together to evoke a sense of serenity and sophistication. Degournay continues to revolutionise artistic expression with its unmatched workmanship and constant dedication to quality, providing an outstanding sensory experience through its renowned collection.

[degournay]

Colourway SC- 92 on Emerald Green is painted silk" by degournay A stunning creation that showcases the exquisite artificer of degournay. This unique colorway combines the fineness of SC- 92 with the vibrant appeal of Emerald Green, performing in a witching design on sumptuously dyed silk. impeccably blending cultural vision and scrupulous attention to detail, degournay presents a masterpiece that elevates any space with its dateless beauty and rich aesthetic.

[degournay]

Degournay's beautiful "Special Colourway on Icefield dyed silk" is now available. This intriguing design has excellent Icefield dyed silk and a singular and original colour scheme. Every element of this design is expertly made with delicacy, craftsmanship, and elegance. It becomes a great standout piece for any area because to the unique colouring, which adds a hint of mystery and appeal. Enjoy the ethereal beauty of Degournay's artistry as the subtle patterns and vivid colours meld together to produce a visual feast. This outstanding work of art from Degournay, an embodiment of exquisite taste and unparalleled finesse, will elevate your surroundings.

[degournay]

De Gournay proudly presents their exquisite creation, the" Original Colourway on Deep Rich Gold Gilded Paper with Citation Iridescent Antiquing." This remarkable masterpiece embodies the epitome of luxury and art. The original colorway, strictly handcrafted by De Gournay's professed crafters, gracefully balls across the face of the deep, rich gold bejeweled paper. The addition of citation iridescent antiquing adds a touch of mystique and appeal, creating a witching visual experience. The interplay between the lustrous gold and the shimmering citation tinges evokes a sense of dateless fineness and complication. With this remarkable piece, De Gournay formerly again showcases their unexampled artificer, pushing the boundaries of cultural expression. The" Original Colourway on Deep Rich Gold Gilded Paper with Citation Iridescent Antiquing" is a testament to De Gournay's commitment to creating designs that transude substance and enthrall the beholder.