I sent out my new 6 offical cards today...so someone's mailbox in Finland, Germany, US, Philippines, Japan and the Czech Repbulic is gonna be suprised soon :)
And this is one of the officials i received on Wednesday...an amazing Japanese card...and my first official from Japan...having a first official card from somewhere, does feel special ;-)
JP-56286
the card is called "A Night View of the Great Torii of Itsukushima Shrine" in Miyajima.
The Torii, or Gateway, at Miyajima Island is a classic and beloved icon of Japan, as well as a condensed essence of traditional Japanese architectural expression. This grand wooden gateway, both sturdy and graceful, sits in the tidal flats before the historic Buddist temple complex of Itsukushima Shrine on Miyajima island, in the same region as the city of Hiroshima in Japan.
Built on axis with the sea-facing shrine, the gate serves to welcome spirits of the departed as they come in across the water of Japan's Inland Sea. At low tide, visitors walk around the great columns of the structure, measuring its great size against the human body. At high tide, the rugged vermillion gateway seems to float in the waves around it, a gateway for boats, or for spirits indeed.
when i look at this card i always see it as one of those Japanese letters/symbols/signs...i still keep thinking it IS one indeed...i especially love the sunset view...and the moon over the shrine...lovely lovely card all in all!