Tag Archives: Asia

Traditional and Modern Tools in Japan

Posted on March 3rd, 2016 by

Turning Japanese

If it seems like I have Japan on the brain lately it’s because I DO! I am headed to Japan in a few months for the Cherry Blossom season! I have wanted to be in Japan during this time for a long time and only missed it by a few weeks in 2015. Hopefully this year I will get lucky since the time from bloom to fall is VERY short!

This is a collection of tools used by the caretakers of Meiji Jingu. I love how there is a mix of traditional brooms and modern tools as well.

Traditional and Modern Tools in Japan
Traditional and Modern Tools in Japan

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Traditionally Dressed Japanese Kids at Meiji Shrine

Posted on February 28th, 2016 by

Finding History

There is an old adage in Hollywood traditional ascribed to W.C. Fields, but universally known, “Never work with animals or children”. To those not acting however, they are like gold! What could be more adorable than two small children all dressed up in traditional garb to visit Meiji Jingu in Tokyo.

I am always looking for some elements of time or even timelessness, contrasts between the old and new. Does this work in that sense?

Traditionally Dressed Japanese Kids at Meiji Shrine
Traditionally Dressed Japanese Kids at Meiji Shrine

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White Japanese Chrysanthemum

Posted on February 25th, 2016 by

Huge Flowers

My mother is the gardener in the family. I realized very quickly after moving into my own home, some years ago that I prefer to see gardens rather than participate in their cultivation. Visiting the Meiji Shrine in Tokyo, something I most always do when visiting Tokyo I found these Chrysanthemums. This particular white was much bigger than a softball or my hand. I imagine it takes a great deal of patience to grow a flower this large and beautiful.

White Japanese Chrysanthemum
White Japanese Chrysanthemum

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Thai Buddhist Temple Offering Pots

Posted on January 28th, 2016 by

Offerings and Meditation

These pots lined the exit of the Reclining Buddha. What struck me was their dual purpose. First they solicit donations for the temple. As you pass each one a small denomination coin is dropped in as an offering. Second, they are yet another form of meditation…a walking meditation, rhythmic…full of thoughts of charity.

Thai Buddhist Temple Offering Pots
Thai Buddhist Temple Offering Pots

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Chinese Astrology Rabbit Statue in Kowloon, Hong Kong

Posted on January 21st, 2016 by

What is Your Sign?

I can’t say I fully understand the intricacies of Chinese Astrology. I think I know two things:

  1. It seems to have little in common with Western Astrology.
  2. I am the Rabbit.

When I visited Kowloon’s Sik Sik Yuen Wong Tai Sin Temple the place was packed…I walked in shoulder to shoulder with other tourists and worshipers. There wasn’t a clear shot of much so I focused on close-up work. You know…creativity is an attribute of both the Rabbit AND Pisces!

Chinese Astrology Rabbit Statue in Kowloon, Hong Kong
Chinese Astrology Rabbit Statue in Kowloon, Hong Kong

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Spiral Incense in Hong Kong

Posted on January 18th, 2016 by

Which Buddhist Temple?

I have visited quite a number of temples, shrines, churches and other holy places around the globe. This is amazing as I get to see how people from different places and walks of life experience religion. The problem is sometimes these sites can run together! Some places like La Sagrada Familia are unmistakable, but this shot…might be a few places! I think, given the prominent spiral incense, its Man Mo Temple, but honestly I am only about 75% sure!

Spiral Incense in Hong Kong
Spiral Incense in Hong Kong

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Torii Gates in the Rain at Fushimi Inari-taisha, Kyoto Japan

Posted on January 7th, 2016 by

Tripadvisor Hell

When I arrived at Fushimi Inari-taisha in Kyoto Japan there were a ton of people. I was also greeted with row after row of flags proclaiming the site on the best in Kyoto according to Tripadvisor (le sigh!). It’s not that I dislike Tripadvisor, on the contrary, they are often a relied upon site for travel info, but being voted one of the best also means TOURISTS!

I was quickly overwhelmed, despite arriving early with the throngs of people. I realized in order to find some degree of privacy I would need to do one of my favorite things…hike! Fushimi Inari-taisha is a vast tract of land expanding up into the surrounding mountainside. Many of the temples are a considerable and arduous cardiovascular trek into the hills, and soon I was leaving the masses behind and spending some much needed time in the Japanese wilderness. In the end I have to say, Tripadvisor got it right Fushimi Inari-taisha is one of the best sites in Kyoto!

Torii Gates in the Rain at Fushimi Inari-taisha, Kyoto Japan
Torii Gates in the Rain at Fushimi Inari-taisha, Kyoto Japan

Photo Technical Info

  • Aperture: ƒ/2.8
  • Camera: Canon EOS 5D Mark II
  • Taken: 15 November, 2015
  • Focal length: 16mm
  • ISO: 6400
  • Location: 34° 57.996′ 0″ N 135° 46.5252′ 0″ E
  • Shutter speed: 1/160s
  • Title: Torii Gates in the Rain at Fushimi Inari-taisha, Kyoto Japan

Buddhist Wall in China

Posted on December 21st, 2015 by

Haunting Sculptures

There are so many great artistic works created in the name of religion. I don’t know the significance of this sculpture, but it is almost as maddening a work as La Sagrada Familia‘s Nativity Facade. There are so many carvings within carvings and around carvings it’s hard to know what is happening.

I took a HUGE bit of creative license as the room was dimly lit in places. There colors are all mine, but the madness is all Buddhist artists!

Buddhist Wall in China
Buddhist Wall in China

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Fox Prayer Card

Posted on December 17th, 2015 by

Shinto Fox Prayer Cards

The major Shinto shrine in Kyoto, Japan is Fushimi Inari Taisha. It is one of the most amazing religious places I have see first hand (up there with Notre Dame and La Sagrada Familia). The Tori Gates go on and on and on, winding through the adjacent mountains and forests. The builders of this place must have loved nature or they wanted to get away from the THRONGS of people at the main entrance.

I have seen prayer cards before in Japan, but Fushimi Inari Taisha had several including these great fox faces. The fox is a messenger in Shinto (I am NO Shinto expert) and who better to carry your prayers! Many of the people drawing were quite good artists! This anime girl caught my attention among the row and rows of prayers.

Fox Prayer Card
Fox Prayer Card

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Red Japanese Maple Leaves Over a Zen Garden

Posted on December 10th, 2015 by

Zen Rock Gardens

In my short time in Kyoto, I saw SO many gardens. You literally run into them everywhere. I am one who has no patience for gardening, but I love the artistry OF gardening. This latest trip to Japan gave me a appreciation for imperfection. You can make something perfect, but in some things, say a handcrafted tea cup…the Japanese prize the imperfect. These leave are as I found them…imperfect. The pebbles in the karesansui are not uniform in color. My control of depth of field in the photograph was not how I saw it.

These imperfections are, but an illusion for all are perfection.

Red Japanese Maple Leaves Over a Zen Garden
Red Japanese Maple Leaves Over a Zen Garden

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