Koshu’s Dream House: Chapter 1
My adventures in Japan were meticulously planned, and one week in particular involved a deep dive into cultural traditions and ancient practices.
In Mitou-cho, Yamaguchi…
There is a beautiful place where you can practise the ancient art of sumi-e and Japanese calligraphy with Master Calligrapher Koshu.
One of the many spectacular views from Koshu’s Dream House, and photos taken on one my walks in the local area.
I had been wanting to go to Japan for some time, but this year I made it happen! It was my first time travelling solo and it was for three weeks! It would be a completely new experience for me in every sense of the word.
The trip was planned around a booking I made back in April with Akemi Lucus (Koshu), who was rigorously preparing to re-establish Dream House after a period of time spent based in the UK. After 23 years, Dream House reopened its doors, and I was lucky enough to be one of her first students.
The key to my room! I had booked the Japanese style room, with futon and tatami flooring.
Koshu not only wanted to deliver a seven day residential sumi-e and calligraphy course, but she wanted to establish a hub in which people from all over the world could feel like this would be their second home - a place in which you can have the opportunity to experience various Japanese cultural activities.
So, after exploring Tokyo, Kyoto, Nara, Osaka, Hiroshima and Miyajima, it was now time to travel by shinkansen to Yamaguchi-Shin!
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On arrival, I was greeted by the professional and kind Hisao-san beyond the ticket barrier, who would be our chauffeur, and soon after, I had the pleasure of meeting Alina, a fellow student, with whom I would be travelling to Dream House.
After a very scenic and comfortable ride past verdant countryside and mountains (the autumnal colours hadn’t quite appeared yet), we arrived at Dream House. Me being me, I planned on being formal and polite for good first impressions. I was preparing for a bow or handshake. What I did not anticipate was the warmest hug and joyful smile you could ever receive from Akemi and her daughter Leanne.
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Like a five star hotel, Akemi and Hisao-san took care of me and my belongings. My suitcase was taken to my room, and a much needed coffee was made for me.
Gradually, the rest of the residents arrived: Debroha, Helen, Alison, Margarita and Emily.
Before I go any further, these people became the best people anyone could have ever shared their time with on this residential course. Naturally, when you are in a new situation, it takes a little while to get your bearings, but as with Akemi, Leanne, and the rest of the Dream House Team, they made me feel at home.
Flowers in full bloom at Koshu’s Dream House gardens.
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