Japanese lanterns
If today’s picture looks a little familiar it is because a portion of it sometimes appears as the banner across the top of this blog.
To the foreign eye this photograph probably looks like a cool piece of Japan–lantern after lantern loaded with strange and unique Japanese characters. I wonder what it looks like to a Japanese person. What is written on these lanterns you ask? Business names. That’s right; this is just a wall of advertising. I find it to be more beautiful than American billboards, but maybe the Japanese look at it as an eyesore.
The location of these lanterns is near the entrance of a shopping street in Kyoto. Immediately behind the lanterns is a shrine. I’m guessing it is for the prosperity of the businesses that sponsor it. You can see some shimenawa and gohei if you look closely.
March 1st, 2009 at 11:15 am
Great photo!
You are right, the names are from businesses who donate money to the shrine in order to receive a blessing, and, I guess, this advertising. 😉
I think I have a photo from a similar wall in Kyoto, but mine is much darker. I like how the surroundings are still well visible in your photo!
December 18th, 2010 at 11:52 am
Hello –
My name is Amanda and I’m on staff with Campus Crusade for Christ, a non-profit organization, as a graphic designer. I am currently creating a website to encourage college students to travel abroad – one location being Japan. As I was researching and gathering inspiration online, I stumbled upon this beautiful paper lanterns photo and thought it would be a great shot to give students a visual of life in Japan. I’d like to ask your permission to use this photo on this website, would this be possible?
Thanks, Amanda
December 19th, 2010 at 8:19 am
If you provide credit you may. For instance, if you say something like “photo from traveljapanblog.com” then you can use it.