Nishiki Market¡¯s most famous son, the celebrated artist Ito Jakuchu, is probably best known for his elaborate set of scrolls called ¡°Colorful Realm of Living Beings,¡± painted during the Edo Period (1603-1867), when Japan was not open for tourism.
While most of the ¡°beings¡± on display in Nishiki are no longer living, they certainly have presence. Ito would undoubtedly be at home among the wonderful array of colors: luminescent yellows and oranges, deep browns, tie-dye pinks ¡ª and that¡¯s just one display of tsukemono, or pickled vegetables.
This centuries-old covered market in the heart of Kyoto has two types of shops, and two types of shoppers. The first category caters to locals: homemakers, chefs and cooks. Those who know the market as ¡°Kyoto¡¯s kitchen¡± know it inside out, patronize their regular shops and treat the market as if were their pantry.
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