On a recent trip to Kanazawa, I visited the Samurai/Geisha area, where there were still some traditional Japanese buildings.  Japanese buildings are full of lines: vertical and horizontal and I am fascinated by them.  I took many photos in Kanazawa, many of which I feel can be used as the starting point for textile designs.  Here are some of the shots:

In this restored medicine shop, we were shown some examples of wedding kimonos:

Here is the curtain the prospective bride will take to her groom’s parents’ house.  She will walk through it the first time she enters the house.

Here we have traditional straw slippers, hung outside the house.

A close-up shot of the washi paper used to make the shoji screens or sliding doors traditionally used in Japanese houses to divide rooms.

Japanese gardens are so beautiful, full of textures, reflections and interesting shapes.  Lots of inspiration for future designs, methinks!

A lovely example of a sliding window and…

a lovely old pot with a wonderful patina and interesting shape.