Author Archives: Lynda Philippsen

Yellow: CITRON, Tokyo

Posted on June 3, 2018 by Lynda Philippsen

Across from Francfranc on the corner of Aoyama-dori and Gaien-nishi-dori is a two-storey salad bar in Parisian style called CITRON. Situated a few meters from my apartment in Gaienmae, Tokyo, I discovered it almost immediately on arrival in the neighbourhood.

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Green

Posted on May 15, 2018 by Lynda Philippsen

Now mid-May the forest is flush with green. As the weather has warmed I have resumed my walks up Mt. Douglas and the practice of shinrin-yoku or forest bathing.

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My Tokyo Teachers: A Tribute

Posted on April 16, 2018 by Lynda Philippsen

The Sogetsu Kaikan classrooms overlook the Akasaka Imperial Property, Tokyo’s distant towers and the skies beyond. In addition to mind-expanding vistas, the rooms provide all material resources required for any kind of ikebana design. The school offers an International Class … Continue reading →

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Pink

Posted on April 11, 2018 by Lynda Philippsen

Here… … and there…

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Blue

Posted on April 7, 2018 by Lynda Philippsen

The other day it was six degrees and sunny in Victoria. A brisk wind that begged for a wool coat blew up from the harbour. The next was five degrees and overcast. Though it’s early spring, these days together with … Continue reading →

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Getting Back to Ikebana in Victoria

Posted on March 18, 2018 by Lynda Philippsen

I’ve been adrift since returning from Tokyo. Hence, no posts. My mind has refused to settle on anything to say. Many times I thought to get back to the untold stories from my time away, but there was never a … Continue reading →

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Anything Particularly Missing?

Posted on February 18, 2018 by Lynda Philippsen

Three weeks after my return to Canada the question is tucked into the middle of an email. Anything you find yourself particularly missing about Japan? Oh yes, yes and yes. I choose a bullet format and fire back a list. … Continue reading →

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Finding Beauty in a Flaw

Posted on February 8, 2018 by Lynda Philippsen

One afternoon as I worked in Tokyo, I was increasingly exasperated. First, there was a limited choice of branches, none of which I particularly liked. Then once I got started with the branches recommended to me by a teaching assistant, … Continue reading →

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Waking from the Tokyo Dream

Posted on January 30, 2018 by Lynda Philippsen

After landing in Vancouver I picked up an email from Vivian saying that she was in Gaienmae shortly after I left and experiencing pangs of sadness in my neighbourhood. Ah, Gaienmae. Why did that seem part of a distant past? … Continue reading →

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Snow Falls in Tokyo before Leaving

Posted on January 24, 2018 by Lynda Philippsen

According to Japan Today, the Monday, January 22nd snowfall in Tokyo was the heaviest since 2014. Because I walk and the snow started sticking after International Class, I escaped rather unscathed. Unfortunately, I had to cancel an evening with a … Continue reading →

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