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Japan Images 56 images Created 10 Mar 2015

Having lived in Japan for more than 25 years, my portfolio includes an extensive collection in several galleryies: Tokyo Images, Kyoto Images, Japanese Garden Images, Japanese Cuisine Images, and collections from most of the main Japanese Islands: Honshu, Kyushu, Hokkaido and Shikoku. After a four year period based in Bangkok, I am returning to Japan April 1st to continue full time photography work and assignments, from based in Kamakura (near Tokyo).
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  • Bamrung Muang Road near Bangkok City Hall and Wat Suthat is the largest center for Buddhist supply shops in the country. Originally an elephant trail, this was one of the first paved roads in Bangkok. Here you can pick up a giant Buddha, delivery negotiable. A variety of shops sell Buddhist paraphernalia: giant orange candles, monks robes, and statues of all sizes.
    bangkok-buddha-street-1.jpg
  • Drinking Tea - Japanese green tea, or ocha is the most common drink in Japan.  Not only is it loaded with vitamin C and caffeine but its antioxidant and healthy properties are making this drink a hit all around the world.
    japanese-tea-drinkers.jpg
  • Tidepools at Shonan Beach near Kamakura, Japan.  Crawling around volcanic rocks, examining ocean life within the tidepools is a favorite activity among Japanese families -  teaching the kids about nature.  In such an idyllic scene it is hard to believe that Tokyo is only minutes away.
    shonan-coast-5.jpg
  • The Kusatsu tradition of yumomi or "water massage" is used to cool off the area's scalding waters, rather than dilute it with cold, the hot water is stirred with wooden paddles and cooled by the mountain air.  To pass the time during the water massaging, the girls sing Kusatsu Bushi an old folk song famous throughout Japan.
    yumomi-2.jpg
  • Kusatsu is the largest natural hot springs in Japan with more than a hundred springs gushing from the Earth which produce, altogether, more than 36,000 litres per minute.  This abundance can be seen in the Yubatake the hot spring fields in the centre of town.  Kusatsu's long history as a flourishing spa town is a well-known resort for recovering from illness or surgery.
    yubatake-2.jpg
  • "Symphonic Sculpture" by Gabriel Loire - The Hakone Open Air Museum creates a harmonic balance of the nature of Hakone National Park with art in the form of scultpures and other artwork, usually replicas, using the nature of Hakone National Park as a frame or background. The park encourages children to play and includes many light-hearted sculptures to entertain as well as inspire visitors.
    symphonic-sculpture-1.jpg
  • Oni are creatures from Japanese folklore, variously called demons, devils, ogres or trolls. They are popular characters in Japanese art, literature and theatre. Depictions of oni vary widely but usually portray them as hideous, gigantic creatures with sharp claws, wild hair, and two long horns growing from their heads. They are humanoid for the most part, but occasionally, they are shown with unnatural features such as odd numbers of eyes or extra fingers and toes. Their skin may be any number of colors, but red and blue are particularly common.
    oni-3.jpg
  • Sake Barrels at Matsunoo Grand Shrine also known as Matsuo Grand Shrine is located at the west end of Kyoto   beyond Matsuo Bridge. This shrine is the oldest shrine in Kyoto, and the divinity worshipped here is the god of brewing sake. Throughout the year, more than a thousand people who are engaged in brewing sake visit Matsunoo Grand Shrine to pay their respects and donate giant casks of sake to the shrine.  Matsuo Shrine is also famous for its modern Japanese gardens.
    sake-barrels-2.jpg
  • In almost all Japanese homes, temples and restaurants, one can find fusuma, which slide from side to side to redefine spaces within a room, and also act as doors. They typically measure about the same size as a tatami mat, and are two or three centimeters thick. They consist of a wooden frame, covered in cardboard and a layer of paper. They typically have a black lacquer border and an indented door handle. Historically, fusuma were painted, often with scenes from nature such as mountains, forests or animals.
    tatami-room-5.jpg
  • Kogetsudai moon viewing platform at Ginkakuji - a Zen temple at the foot of Kyoto's Higashiyama Eastern Mountain. The temple was formally known as Tozan Jishoji as a retirement villa for shogun Ashikaga Yoshimasa. A few years later, the Silver Pavilion was constructed, modeled after Kinkakuji's Golden Pavilion. Plans to cover the pavilion in silver never happened yet the name Silver Pavilion stuck. The villa was converted into a Zen temple after Yoshimasa's death and is well known for its zen garden.
    ginkakuji-1.jpg
  • Matcha Tea, a special form of green tea served with Rice Cakes. Macha is the type of tea served at tea ceremony which centers on the preparation, serving, and drinking of matcha.
    matcha-tea-01.jpg
  • The Moss Garden at Saihoji Temple is one of the few temples in Kyoto where visitors must request an invitation in advance before their visit. Visitors are required to participate in chanting and writing sutras before visiting the famous gardens. In this way the monks are able to maintain the temple and garden and prevent mass tourism from destroying the tranquility of this UNESCO World Heritage Japanese garden.
    koke-dera-1.jpg
  • Japanese New Year Decorations with shadows.
    japanese-new-year-1.jpg
  • Ninnaji Temple Monks - Ninnaji is one of Kyoto's most interesting temples with a large variety of extraordinary buildings & gardens on its spacious grounds. Among the numerous buildings on the grounds are elegant palace style buildings surrounded by beautiful Japanese gardens, a five storied pagoda, various temple halls, a massive entrance gate, bell tower and tea houses.  It was the first imperial temple in Kyoto and  now a UNESCO World Heritage site.
    ninnaji-3.jpg
  • Hashin-tei Garden at Komyo-in.  Komyo-in is one of many sub-temples at Tofuku-ji and was founded in 1391. Several tatami rooms in this small temple offer a commanding view of its fine garden. The central part of the garden is a composed of a moss and stone design with numerous standing stones protruding from the mossy hillocks. The raked gravel, symbolizes water.  Komyo-in is much quieter than the rest of Tofuku-ji, even during the peak seasons and there lies is charm.  The garden at Komyo-in was designed by renowned garden designer and landscape architect Mirei Shigemori.  Mirei designed the garden with three Buddhist triads with stones placed on lines drawn from the large stone in the middle of the garden likened to rays from the Buddha. Hashin-tei Garden at Komyo-in. Komyo-in is one of many sub-temples at Tofuku-ji and was founded in 1391. Several tatami rooms in this small temple offer a commanding view of its fine garden. The central part of the garden is a composed of a moss and stone design with numerous standing stones protruding from the mossy hillocks. The raked gravel, symbolizes water. Komyo-in is much quieter than the rest of Tofuku-ji, even during the peak seasons and there lies is charm. The garden at Komyo-in was designed by renowned garden designer and landscape architect Mirei Shigemori. Mirei designed the garden with three Buddhist triads with stones placed on lines drawn from the large stone in the middle of the garden likened to rays from the Buddha.
    komyo-in-4.jpg
  • Kappabashi Ceramics Display - Kappabashi is a street in Tokyo full of shops supplying the restaurant trade with everything from ceramics, glassware, knives, restaurant decorations.
    kappabashi-23.jpg
  • The dramatic torii of Itsukushima Shrine is one of Japan's most popular attractions. The gate has existed since 1168, though the current gate was reconstructed in 1875. Built of camphor wood and standing about 16 metres high the gate was built in a four legged style to provide additional stability. The gate only appears to be floating and only at high tide.  When the tide is low the gate is surrounded by mud.  Retaining the purity of the island is so important that no deaths or births were permitted in the area until quite recently.
    itsukushima-torii-2.jpg
  • Cruising the Izu Islands on one of the many ferries that ply these waters from either Tokyo or Shimoda. Off in the background is Niijima, one of the more popular of the islands for its beaches and powerful surf.
    izu-island-ferry-1.jpg
  • Arashiyama Station’s “Kimono Forest” is a colorful aspect of the station’s facelift includes designer Yasumichi Morita creations of kimono fabric patterns arranged on cylindrical columns.  The patterns have been placed inside 600 illuminated poles along pathways of the station, creating a “kimono forest”.
    kimono-forest-7.jpg
  • Minato Mirai or "future harbor" is Yokohama's showpiece along with Cosmos World amusement park.  Take a spin on the Big Wheel, a bayside ferris wheel, or the roller coaster that plunges into a  or the roller coaster that plunges into a large pool.  Despite all these modern attractions, Minato Mirai is one of the world’s most successful urban renewal programs.  This was once the site of red brick warehouses, bustling with sailors and longshoremen during the port’s heyday of the silk trade.
    minato-mirai-1.jpg
  • Korakuen is a landscape garden in Okayama and is considered one of the Three Great Gardens of Japan, along with Kenrokuen and Kairakuen. Korakuen was built in 1700 by Ikeda Tsunamasa, lord of Okayama. In 1884, ownership was transferred to Okayama Prefecture and the garden was opened to the public. The garden suffered severe flood damage in 1934 and during World War II bombing in 1945, but has been restored based on paintings and diagrams.
    korakuen-1.jpg
  • Northern Garden, Tofukuji Temple.  Square cut stones and moss are distributed in a chequered pattern. Though modern in its style and composition, this is one of the most unique gardens in Japan.  Renowned landscape architect and garden designer Shigemori Mirei designed this garden in an ichimatsu inspired pattern.
    tofukuji-north-2.jpg
  • Shomyoji Arched Bridge - Shomyoji was built by Sanetoki Hojo during the Kamakura period, and was made the Hojo family temple of the Kanazawa area. The Jodo style garden with Ajiike Pond in front of the main temple is its most unique feature not to mention the arched bridge. The temple's bell was portrayed in the woodblock print "Shomyo-no-Bansho," one of eight prints depicting views of Kanazawa by Hiroshige Utagawa.
    shomyoji.jpg
  • Geta are a form of traditional Japanese footwear that resembles both clogs and flip-flops. They are a kind of sandal with an elevated wooden base held onto the foot with a fabric thong to keep the foot well above the ground. They are worn with traditional Japanese clothing such as kimono or yukata, and even with Western clothing during the summer months. Geta are often worn in rain or snow to keep the feet dry, due to their extra height.
    geta-sandals.jpg
  • Tokyo Street Fashion - A wide variety of costume play getups can be seen every Sunday in Harajuku - Tokyo's fashion quarter.  Since so many cos-plaers congregate near Tokyo headquarters of Fendi, Hanae Mori and Issey Miyake, some consider this phenomenon to be a reaction to high fashion. Others, such as these girls, appear to be making a statement on fashion itself.
    costume-play-2.jpg
  • Carp or "koi" swimming around their pond at Ritsurin Garden.  Carp are seen in Japan (as well as in the rest of Asia) as a symbol of fortune.  These ponds used as an element of a landscape pond garden. Classic koi ponds have nishikigoi Japanese ornamental carps.  It is said that the design of a koi pond has a great effect on the well-being of the carp.
    carp-koi-02.jpg
  • "Roku Jizo" or 6 Jizo are set at a major intersection in the town of Kamakura - Jizo images and statues are popular in Japan as Bodhisattva who console beings awaiting rebirth and travelers.  They are often found along roadsides, paths or even street corners.
    jizo-17.jpg
  • Shadows of lanterns at Kasuga Taisha Shrine, which is famous for its many lanterns that were donated by worshippers. The many bronze lanterns within the shrine as well as some of the 3000 stone lanterns leading to the shrine's approach are lit on the occasion of the Lantern Festivals in February and August.
    lanterns-kasuga-1.jpg
  • "Tetra Mound" by Isamu Noguchi installed at Moerenuma Park in Sapporo.  The installation was designed by Noguchi a Japanese-American artist and architect. Construction of the park was begun in 1988, and opened in 2005. The park has won a number of awards including the Good Design Award in 2002.  The park is considered to be one complete sculpture. The triangular sculpture over a grassy mound is called "Tetra Mound".
    moerenuma-park-7.jpg
  • Shoji at Taizo-in Temple - In traditional Japanese architecture a shoji is a door, window or room divider made of translucent paper over a frame of wood or bamboo. Shoji doors are designed to slide open, and thus conserve space that would be required by a swinging door. They are used in traditional houses especially in the washitsu  or Japanese-style room.
    shoji-2.jpg
  • Fuji and Sakura or Cherry Blossoms at Lake Kawaguchi - Cycling, hiking, camping, fishing and just sightseeing are the main entertainments around Mt Fuji along the shores of the lakes that surround the sacred mountain. Fuji is the highest mountain in Japan at 3,776 meters in altitude, an active volcano that last erupted in 1707. Fuji straddles Shizuoka and Yamanashi prefectures. Mount Fuji's symmetrical cone is a well known symbol of Japan and is frequently visible in art and photographs.  Although Mount Fuji has not erupted in over 300 years its still not considered to be extinct.
    mt-fuji-7.jpg
  • The "Nozomi" is the newest version of the Shinkansen, popularly known overseas as the "bullet train".  The Nozomi can reach speeds of up to 320 km/h (200 mph) although they currently operate at a maximum of 300 km/h (186 mph) in service. Nozomi trains stop only at the most important stations, and reach Osaka from Tokyo in about two and a half hours.
    shinkansen-13.jpg
  • Japanese New Years cuisine is called osechi-ryori, and consists of many different kinds of dishes.  Traditionally, people finish cooking osechi dishes by New Year's Eve so they have food for a couple days without cooking. Most of the dishes can last a few days in the refrigerator or at cool room temperature. Colorful osechi-ryori dishes are packed in layers of lacquer boxes, called jubako.  Each dish and type of food in osechi has meaning, such as good health, fertility, good harvest, happiness, long life...
    osechi-ryori-3.jpg
  • Tokyo Big Sight is the popular nickname for the Tokyo International Exhibition Center at Odaiba.  The center is one of the largest convention venues in Tokyo, and its most iconic representation the visually distinctive Conference Tower - the thing most associated with the sight, the glass and titanium paneled tower appears as a set of four inverted pyramids.
    big-sight-1.jpg
  • Japanese boy at Shichi-Go-San, literally seven-five-three, a traditional rite of passage in Japan held annually on November 15.  The event is not a national holiday, so it is often observed on the nearest weekend and these days througout November.  Boys who are aged three or five and girls who are aged three or seven are dressed in kimono, usually for the first time, for visits to shrines.
    shichi-go-san-3.jpg
  • Moon Window at Meigetsuin - a Zen temple in Kamakura in harmony with nature. Composed of two gardens, one zen dry garden in front and a strolling garden in back. Meigetsuin is well-known for the many hydrangea in bloom in June, and vivid maples leaves in autumn.
    meigetsuin-garden-4.jpg
  • Mode Gakuen Cocoon Building - Shinjuku is one of several cities within the city of Tokyo. It is a major commercial and administrative center, housing the busiest train station in the world - Shinjuku Station.  The Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building, the administration center for the government of Tokyo or "tochomae" is located here. Surrounding Shinjuku Station are department stores, specialist electronic and camera shops, cinemas, restaurants and bars as well as many international hotels.
    mode-gakuen-2.jpg
  • Shojin Ryori Temple Cuisine - Zen Temple food or "Shojin Ryori" is vegetarian cuisine at its most refined consisting of pickled vegetables, plus a variety of tofu dishes beautifully arranged on lacquerware and an assortment of ceramic plates.
    shojin-ryori-1.jpg
  • A morning market (Hakodate Asaichi) is held daily from 5am (6am during winter) to noon, just a few steps away from JR Hakodate Station. Products on sale: crabs, salmon eggs, sea urchin and other fresh seafood.  The indoor section of the market has yet more seafood shops as well as fresh produce such as potatoes and other Hokkaido products.  Several fish restaurants can be found in the market area, offering fresh seafood breakfasts if  your stomach is up to it.
    hakodate-morning-market-2.jpg
  • Sanja Matsuri Mikoshi Bearers - the biggest of Tokyo's traditional 3 grand festivals is held at Asakusa Shrine;  the Sanja festival is a three-day weekend of boisterous traditional mikoshi processions through the streets of Asakusa with plenty of drinking, dancing, music and other revelry. Held by the Sensoji Temple in Tokyo, the huge parade draws over two million people into the streets.  The gold and black lacquer mikoshi are the vehicles of the shrine's kami or deities and the purpose of the processions is to bring luck and prosperity to the areas inhabitants. Many of the mikoshi are so large, heavy and elaborate that dozens of people are required to carry them.
    sanja-matsuri-1.jpg
  • Ginza is known as an upscale area of Tokyo with numerous department stores, boutiques, restaurants and is recognized as one of the most luxurious shopping districts in the world. Many upscale fashion flagship stores are located here, including Chanel, Dior, Gucci, Louis Vuitton....  In recent years extraordinary architecture has gone up including the De Beers Building, Mikimoto Building among others.  Ginza is named after the silver-coin mint established there in 1612 during the Edo period..
    ginza-de-beers-building-1.jpg
  • Apprentice geisha are called maiko literally "dance child". It is the maiko, with her white make-up and elaborate kimono and hairstyle, that has become the stereotype of a geisha to Westerners. Geiko as they are called in Kyoto (Geisha elsewhere in Japan) are traditional, female Japanese entertainers whose skills include performing various Japanese arts such as classical music and dance.
    maiko-3.jpg
  • Gundam was series of Japanese anime created by Sunrise Studios that featured giant robots called "Gundam."  An eighteen metre tall statue of the title robot was installed at Odaiba, Tokyo's landfill island, in August 2009.
    gundam-5.jpg
  • Young Japanese boy kitted out in samurai gear. Samurai is the term for the military nobility of pre-industrial Japan. The samurai followed a set of written rules called the Bushido. Samurai teachings can still be found today in modern day society especially in the world of Japanese martial arts.  Various samurai re-enactments are held throughout Japan, with lots of attention to detail in  costumes and demeanor - not all that much changed since the 12th century.
    samurai-1.jpg
  • August Obon celebrations culminate with Toro Nagashi "the floating of lanterns" - paper lanterns are illuminated then floated down rivers or on the ocean signaling the ancestral spirits' return to the world of the dead.
    obon-2.jpg
  • The Festival of the Phallus or Kanamara Matsuri is a Shinto fertility festival held in Kawasaki at Kanamara Shrine. The phallus forms the central theme of the event that is reflected everywhere: decorations, candy, and even sake bottles.  The grand finale is a huge parade going through the streets with penis floats. The festival is centered around Kanamra shrine, once popular among prostitutes who wished to pray for protection against diseases and other sexual problems.
    kanamara-shrine-4.jpg
  • Shinto Ceremony fishing season at Morito Shrine, Hayama - Shinto or Shintoism is the indigenous religion of Japan. It is a set of practices, to establish a connection between present day Japan and its ancient past. Shinto priests carry out eriodic rituals, spiritual events in parishioners lives, and preside at festivals usually associated with seasons or harvest.
    shinto-ceremony-1.jpg
  • Gosho Shrine Matsuri, Kamakura - Japanese festivals are traditional festive occasions.  Matsuri is the Japanese word for festival.  These events are normally sponsored by a local shrine.  Matsuri almost always feature processions with mikoshi or portable shrines, that are carried around the neighborhood and even into the ocean along coastal areas such as Kamakura.
    japanese-tattoo-03.jpg
  • Bamboo Tsukubai - Water is considered purifying in Japan, thus the emphasis on cleanliness in everyday life.  It is also a comfort to hear tsukubai trickling water to soothe the nerves as well.
    tsukubai-17.jpg
  • Bald Mengake Mask at the Mengake Mask Parade at Goryo Jinja shrine.  At this unique Kamakura event local men wearing grotesque or comical masks leave Goshi Shrine parade through the nearby streets before returning to the shrine for the ceremony.
    mengake-4.jpg
  • Costume Play Diver with Accessories - A wide variety of "costume play" getups: goths, cartoon characters from Japanese manga, anime, the sweet & innocent frilly look of "maids" or combinations in between.  Every Sunday these cosplay characters converge on Harajuku, Tokyo's fashion district to strut their stuff. Most casual observers imagine that cosplay is a reaction to the rigid rules of Japanese society. But since so many cosplay girls congregate in Aoyama - Tokyo headquarters of high fashion designers, some consider this to be a some kind of reaction to orthodox fashion. Whatever the cause cosplay aficionados put a tremendous amount of effort into their costumes, making the phenomenon a hit all around the world.
    costume-play-1.jpg
  • The magnificent statue of Hase Kannon is 9 meters pr 30 feet tall and has eleven heads in addition to its main one - three in front, three to the left and three to the right, plus one at the top and another on the back. Each face has a different expression, signifying that the deity listens to the wishes of all types of people. Gold leaf was applied to the statue in 1342 and in 1392 the halo was added. Although Kannon is usually described in English as "the Buddhist Goddess of Mercy" strictly speaking it is neither masculine nor feminine and represents compassion, mercy, and love.
    hase-dera-kannon-4.jpg
  • Kinkakuji was built in 1393 as a retirement villa for Shogun Yoshimitsu Ashikaga.  He intended to cover the exterior with gold, but only managed to coat the third floor with gold leaf before his death.  After his death, his son converted the building into a Zen temple of the Rinzai school named Rokuonji in accordance with Ashikaga's wishes.
    kinkakuji-3.jpg
  • Fire ceremony at Ekoin in Koya-san. Goma taki involves burning wooden plaques with prayers written on them as monks chant. Guests are asked to write their wishes on wooden plaques to be burned in the fire to burn away  excess desires; and to achieve a simple life. Fire destroys negative energies and purifies the mind, body and spirit. The fire burning ceremony is unique to the Shingon sect of Buddhism.
    koyasan-fire-ceremony-2.jpg
  • Smiling Henro on the Shikoku Pilgrimage - the Pilgrimage is a trail of 88 temples on Shikoku and is believed that all 88 temples were visited by the famous Buddhist monk Kukai, founder of the Shingon school, who was born at Zentsuji Temple in 774.  To complete the pilgrimage, it is not necessary to visit the temples in order.  The pilgrimage is traditionally completed on foot, but modern pilgrims use cars, taxis, buses, bicycles or motorcycles. The walking course is approximately 1200km long and can take anywhere from 30 to 60 days to complete. "Henro" is the Japanese word for pilgrim - they are recognizable by their white clothing,  special walking sticks with bells and sedge hats.
    henro-7.jpg
  • Sumo "keiko" or practice at a sumo stable in Tokyo. Sumo is a competitive sport in Japan where two wrestlers attempt to force one another out of a circular ring.  The Japanese consider sumo a kind of martial art and the sumo tradition is very ancient. Even today the sport includes many ritual elements, such as the use of salt for purification, harking back to the days when sumo was used in the Shinto religion.
    sumo-stable-1.jpg