Meguro Gajoen II

Hi Hi sisters ....... before continuing our tour in Meguro Gajoen, I’d like to quote Shim Shim’s March 4 diary from the BYJ Mail Magazine (April 14 issue) describing Yong Joon’s departure from Morioka to Tokyo – kindly translated by tomato :


"We were scheduled to get on Shinkansen at about 20 o’clock, we had to say goodbye to Mr. Jun at Morioka station. I believe all the staffs were feeling the same...Mr. Jun had welcomed us very warmly and Bae Yong Joon looked very sad upon parting. Mr. Jun standing outside the Shinkansen window and Bae Yong Joon’s greetings from Shinkansen looked like a scene from a movie and felt so pathetic.

Mr. Jun had accepted all staff as his sons and daughters. In middle of the night, he would visit our rooms to allow fresh air to pass, he would prepare our meals ... he was like a father to us. Obviously, Mr. Jun and BYJ is more attached to each other than us. Various articles noted that he enjoyed his ride on Shinkansen, but there was some sadness inside Shinkansen when we departed from Morioka."


So now we know why Yong Joon had this long sad face on the Shinkansen and no doubt shortly after arriving in Tokyo, he’d come to Gajoen to reminisce that warm feelings he had with his sensei. Understanding their relationship and Yong Joon's passion towards Lacquer art makes this Gajoen tour even more meaningful. Now, where were we? ..... Leaving Hirayama Ikuo’s exhibition and the old era of Hyakudan Kaidan, we were back to the modern world in Gajoen. We quickly proceeded to the Club Lounge as our lunch reservation was at 1:30 pm, the passageway is adorned with endless array of beautiful art panels and object d’art.



The moment we stepped into the restaurant, our imooto-chan exclaimed in joy when she saw the running chocolate fountain with strawberries, bananas and marshmellows by its side, hehe I know then she must be very hungry. The buffet offering was actually quite light - salads, soups, pastas, sushi and roast beef, perfect for ladies. Sorry, guess I was hungry too, totally forgot to take any pictures! Hehe, eating before blogging :)


After our tummies were fed, we saw everybody was heading to one direction - where else? Washroom of course! Now Olivia had been telling me this is one washroom I got to see. I was puzzled, “Well, a washroom is a washroom and there’s only one purpose being there, so how many differnt variations can you build a place for answering nature's call?” This is the entrance to both men and ladies’ rooms, we started noticing some of Mr. Jung’s inlaid work. I wonder who’s really in the mood to admire such precious artwork when you are hurrying to go? Hehe, maybe just Yong Joon and his fans?



We walked into this fancy room with ancient Chinese architecture, complete with a pond and curved wooden bridge! This is the main washroom serving the 5 large restaurants on the ground floor. Picture this, There are only 3 stalls inside (beautiful stalls, but still they are toilet stalls) and 50 anxious women waiting in line. Now I am no interior designer or anything, but you really think having running water under the bridge is going to help with their bladder situation?



Hehe just kidding, I am sure the patrons appreciate the artistic details installed, maybe taking their minds off the long wait? I am actually more curious if the men’s counterpart is of equal elaborateness, maybe our prince had checked it out already. We began to explore the airy atrium ...



There were quite a few weddings that day, the bride and groom were gracious enough to let me take a picture .....

The outer garden
and the soothing waterfall

Throughout the Gajoen ground, Mr. Jun’s works are visible everywhere, this is the entrance to the formal banquet halls



Look at the intricate detailed work, each feather on the peacock is mother-of-pearl inlaid work.

Even on the elevator doors

Other very magnificent banquet halls which contain some of the most beautiful Japanese paintings, too bad we didn't have a chance to visit ......



Every time when I went out with my Bae sisters, it’s always a feast for the eyes and mind. Not only do I learn more about the spirit of the Japanese culture, but more so, the sensitivity and benevolence of the Japanese people. I have already lost count of how many times I was so deeply moved to tears since I joined our BYJ family. It can be trying at times when we do not hear any news or see any acting works from Yong Joon, but knowing he's at a position in his life now that he is free to do what he enjoys is also comforting for us who love him so much, eh? Thanks for reading!