Peaceful Japanese Gardens

With Japan on my mind, I wound up searching for everything Japanese from interior design, furniture, graphics, landscaping and more. I came across some lovely (real) gardens will perhaps post a few pics next time. I liked the graphics of these two pictures which are actually paint-by-number paintings. Remember those? I loved painting them as a child... I hope the pretty gardens bring thoughts of calm for Japan and the other places affected by the earthquake and tsunami. Perhaps the pictures will inspire you to paint a pretty picture or plant some pretty flowers in a garden too.

The Great Wave

Sending positive thoughts and prayers out to those in Japan and all of the other areas that have been and will be affected by yesterday's 8.9 Earthquake and subsequent Tsunami. The power of nature never ceases to amaze me. They say waves may reach Hawaii and as far as the California coast too.

After watching the news and a few videos on the devastation, my thoughts wandered and came to rest on images of "The Great Wave off Kanagawa" by Katsushika Hokusai. He was a great Japanese artist who lived a long time ago from 1760 to 1849. This was the first color block print in the series "Thirty Six Views of Mount Fuji." I found a video with more of his work set to some soothing music too.

I hope that calm seas return soon and that everybody has a safe and blessed day.

Photo Credits:

"The Breaking Wave Off Kanagawa" also called "The Great Wave"

Color Woodblock Print by Katsushika Hokusai

via Wikipedia