The tower of the Sun...

We had much rain for the last 2 days in Osaka, and the Sun is back again now. However the atmosphere is a bit chilly, and I'm wondering if my choice to wear a short pant today may be wrong to go outside. 

Last Saturday, I suddenly got an idea to go to the Osaka Expo Park after finishing my volunteer activity. It was a very warm sunny day, and an ideal to spend time relaxing in the park. 

Because of the weekend, and a couple of events held in the park, there were so many people in ques to buy an admission ticket under entrance regulation. 

Once we enter the gate, the tower of The Sun welcome us. It is a very outstanding building designed by an artist named "OKAMOTO Taro" as the symbol of Expo'70 in Osaka. It has been preserved in the park since then. 

My last visit might have been when I was an elementary school kid, and I actually didn't get in the park, but got in an amusement park nearby call "Expo land" which was already closed many years ago. The site of the abolished amusement park is now reused as a huge commercial complex. 

So many families and couples are relaxing in the park. Kids were running around, many lying on the grass just for sun-bathing. I myself was just strolling around in the park, watching people and feeling nature to refresh my mind. 

Since this park is located in a bit inconvenient direction for me, I rarely came here. However it seems that I may become to visit here occasionally to relax in the park and enjoy the shopping mall near by.  

After getting home that day, I immediately tried to find any vacant reservation slot to visit the inside of the Tower which has recently completed its renovation and been open to public for the first time after Expo '70. Inside the tower, we can see many inspirational world of OKAMOTO Taro which are related to the concept of his piece "Tower of the Sun". 

At this moment, it is very difficulty to get a slot to enter the tower. However I luckily found one vacant slot for next week. I'm really looking forward to visiting the tower to see his world. 

I don't have much knowledge about OKAMTO Taro and this tower now, but it seems to be very interesting to learn his life and pieces. For me, he seems to be one of artists who express inspirations using symbolic shapes and objects. And I'm now very much interested in how he got those inspirations and from which sources.   

This is one of my fun to DOs "Jumper". lol

I just couldn't resit myself from jumping right after entering the gate. 

Masami