Another view of the studio

Wow, looks fabulous!

Thanks Fractal.

You have an imaginative project underway there, Ptarotuos. Do the wild boar interfere with the freedom of play for your children? I don't know if they are aggressive animals and you say they ran past you. Are they too fast for a photo? lol

I'll be watching with interest your garden development and especially your Japanese corner. :)

Can I ask?....are you born and raised in Japan or have you come to Japan from another country. Your name doesn't sound Japanese so I'm curious. Hope you don't mind the question, P.

I'm Canadian by birth and moved to the UK in 1983 with my husband and our 2 children.

Whistonlass, thanks for your comments and questions. Boar are, generally elusive, but can be aggressive, especially when with young. In many parts of Japan there are signs up warning about them. There are also monkeys (though I have not seen them in Hakone - although I have come across them elsewhere in Japan several times). Like all things with nature, for them to be a threat, there is usually a just cause (I wish that could be said about human kind). It's most unlikely they would trouble us. The much more real danger and bother are the Giant Japanese Hornets (not to be messed with). They can be agressive and the sting is potential fatal to children and the infirm. Multiple stings would even be dangerous to adults without prompt medical attention. We had out first BBQ on the veranda a few weeks ago. I just spotted one of these hornets approaching (attracted by the food). We moved inside, and lucky that we did, because about 3 minutes later a pack of about 10 - and this is probably a more apt description than a swarm - started trying to get in through the metal fly screens. The first was a scout. But there again, densely forested moutains, are apparently its prime habitat, September its main season of activity, and it has coincidentally been a very good year for them. Removing the large Sawara trees may reduce their frequency.

Re. your other question, I'm always reluctant to divulge p. details on such forums, but I was born and raised in England. ptarotuos

Wow...your hornets sound nasty. I hope taking out your large Sawara trees will help reduce that problem. You are doing such a great job of clearing your land and it all sounds really exciting.

Your bath house alongside your Japanese garden will be so nice once it is finished. I hope all your plans materialize. I admire you for all your hard work.

I understand about revealing p. details on public sites so it's no problem. You are settled in Japan now and sound very happy to be there. I'll watch out for your updates.

Hi Peter we are a very nosey bunch at GOY. Whistonlass asked the question I was wondering. I am a portrait painter, I am Scottish, and spend most of my time working in our studio. Am I allowed to ask you if your studio is used in a similar way? I think gardening and art is a great combination and I like to think it enhances my view of my garden.

Hi Linda235, thanks for your message. The studio is eventually to be turned into a Japanese bath house (a kind of private spa). But until then, will be little more than a folly (albeit a big one!) I may use it as my writing studio on a temporary basis, but it will probably be much too cold in the winter, and the main house is much more convenient for now. We are also hoping to convert the under hang on the left hand side on the photo of the main house, into a library and study. I did purchase the property with creativity in mind (as well as for the kids to play - not much chance of a garden here in central Tokyo) - because when I am working on a book, I enjoy the stimulation that nature provides. bw, ptarotuos