Nadine Brown

The pair of you sit on comfortable cushioned chairs amongst the twinkling lights in the courtyard, sipping the refreshing drink as water trickles from the fountains. After a while, the man says he must continue working, but welcomes you to stay for as long as you like. You thank him for the tea and his company, but say you will continue your journey as you have more of the city you wish to see.

The pair of you sit on comfortable cushioned chairs amongst the twinkling lights in the courtyard, sipping the refreshing drink as water trickles from the fountains. After a while, the man says he must continue working, but welcomes you to stay for as long as you like. You thank him for the tea and his company, but say you will continue your journey as you have more of the city you wish to see.

He nods and smiles. Before you leave, he hands you a finished parasol, painted in your chosen design. It's a true work of art, with pink cherry blossoms and the tiered pagoda on the panels. You offer to pay, but he insists it is a gift and you are welcome to come back any time. You are grateful for his teaching and generosity and accept the parasol graciously with both hands as is customary.

He nods and smiles. Before you leave, he hands you a finished parasol, painted in your chosen design. It's a true work of art, with pink cherry blossoms and the tiered pagoda on the panels. You offer to pay, but he insists it is a gift and you are welcome to come back any time. You are grateful for his teaching and generosity and accept the parasol graciously with both hands as is customary.

He nods and smiles. Before you leave, he hands you a finished parasol, painted in your chosen design. It's a true work of art, with pink cherry blossoms and the tiered pagoda on the panels. You offer to pay, but he insists it is a gift and you are welcome to come back any time. You are grateful for his teaching and generosity and accept the parasol graciously with both hands as is customary.

As you depart the courtyard to continue your walk, your new parasol shades you from the sun. At the end of the street stands a dark wooden pagoda. It's tiered, towering several stories high, and you realize it is identical to the one painted on your parasol. As fate would have it, today is one of its rare open days, so you enter to see what lies within.

As you depart the courtyard to continue your walk, your new parasol shades you from the sun. At the end of the street stands a dark wooden pagoda. It's tiered, towering several stories high, and you realize it is identical to the one painted on your parasol. As fate would have it, today is one of its rare open days, so you enter to see what lies within.

As you depart the courtyard to continue your walk, your new parasol shades you from the sun. At the end of the street stands a dark wooden pagoda. It's tiered, towering several stories high, and you realize it is identical to the one painted on your parasol. As fate would have it, today is one of its rare open days, so you enter to see what lies within.

A sign at the entrance tells you that the temple was constructed by Prince Shotoku after being inspired to build it during a dream. The walls of the interior are etched with wooden carvings, which feel smooth yet slightly jagged to the touch, where they have chipped and worn over time. You continue to move slowly around the room and find yourself wondering how old the artwork is.

A sign at the entrance tells you that the temple was constructed by Prince Shotoku after being inspired to build it during a dream. The walls of the interior are etched with wooden carvings, which feel smooth yet slightly jagged to the touch, where they have chipped and worn over time. You continue to move slowly around the room and find yourself wondering how old the artwork is.

A sign at the entrance tells you that the temple was constructed by Prince Shotoku after being inspired to build it during a dream. The walls of the interior are etched with wooden carvings, which feel smooth yet slightly jagged to the touch, where they have chipped and worn over time. You continue to move slowly around the room and find yourself wondering how old the artwork is.

Then you climb the stairs, stopping to pause at the beautiful yet fading antique paintings and statues on the first floor. You have the place all to yourself and are grateful to see all these years of history without any distractions. On the upper floor, outside from the balcony, you see the city of Kyoto laid out before you.

Then you climb the stairs, stopping to pause at the beautiful yet fading antique paintings and statues on the first floor. You have the place all to yourself and are grateful to see all these years of history without any distractions. On the upper floor, outside from the balcony, you see the city of Kyoto laid out before you.

Then you climb the stairs, stopping to pause at the beautiful yet fading antique paintings and statues on the first floor. You have the place all to yourself and are grateful to see all these years of history without any distractions. On the upper floor, outside from the balcony, you see the city of Kyoto laid out before you.

The patchwork of grey rooftops, wooden houses, and pretty parks blanketed with cherry blossoms. Green mountain peaks stand tall in the distance, and above, an aeroplane flies high, leaving a trail of white in the cobalt blue sky. You notice the sun's warmth on your skin and feel like you could stay in this still, quiet moment forever. Sitting down on the wooden deck, you stretch out your legs.

The patchwork of grey rooftops, wooden houses, and pretty parks blanketed with cherry blossoms. Green mountain peaks stand tall in the distance, and above, an aeroplane flies high, leaving a trail of white in the cobalt blue sky. You notice the sun's warmth on your skin and feel like you could stay in this still, quiet moment forever. Sitting down on the wooden deck, you stretch out your legs.

The patchwork of grey rooftops, wooden houses, and pretty parks blanketed with cherry blossoms. Green mountain peaks stand tall in the distance, and above, an aeroplane flies high, leaving a trail of white in the cobalt blue sky. You notice the sun's warmth on your skin and feel like you could stay in this still, quiet moment forever. Sitting down on the wooden deck, you stretch out your legs.

Closing your eyes, you reminisce about your day and how you began your journey hours ago on the philosopher's path. You are reminded of watching the koi fish swimming in the temple garden without a care in the world. Your mind drifts to the old man, the talented artisan of Kyoto in his workshop, and the pleasure it brought you watching him create and paint the parasol.

Closing your eyes, you reminisce about your day and how you began your journey hours ago on the philosopher's path. You are reminded of watching the koi fish swimming in the temple garden without a care in the world. Your mind drifts to the old man, the talented artisan of Kyoto in his workshop, and the pleasure it brought you watching him create and paint the parasol.

Closing your eyes, you reminisce about your day and how you began your journey hours ago on the philosopher's path. You are reminded of watching the koi fish swimming in the temple garden without a care in the world. Your mind drifts to the old man, the talented artisan of Kyoto in his workshop, and the pleasure it brought you watching him create and paint the parasol.