Siebold (1796-1866) was a Bavarian-born doctor who became the link between Holland and Japan, exchanging culture, trade and horticulture between the two places.
Over the course of two consecutive days, Yuko (my Japanese friend) and I discovered all the Japanese-related sites around town, after class, most of them brought to us by Siebold.
A Japanese karesansui garden in Leiden's Hortus Botanicus.
Yuko under the shade of a cherry blossom: no doubt being a little homesick.
After class, we were also able to sneak into the Pieterskerk, Leiden's grandest church, located in a picturesque square in central Leiden.
Rock/heavy metal was playing, as construction workers prepared the place for a concert/function.
In memory of the Mayflower pilgrims who founded modern-day America.
Coffee Star, the city library cafe next to the Burcht, serves great Coffee mocha almond.
The Siebold Huis (House): "This house was the location where Siebold showed his collections of Japanese objects and artefacts as early as 1837 to an interested public. And now, after 150 years, his former house is the location of the first official Japan centre."
When we were there, the museum had an exhibition of Japanese shibori tie-dye. There were also many other artefacts and exhibits relating to Japanese culture and natural history.
Trapped in the dungeon basement of the Siebold Huis.
No comments:
Post a Comment