Hachiman Jinja (Tokyo, Japan)

Posted on September 22nd, 2015 under Japan. Tags: Nikon 24-120mm f/4 VR G lens, Nikon D600, shinto, Tokyo, 西久保八幡神社例大祭 夏祭り2013. Comments Off on 八幡神社

Tenso Jinja (Nishiwaseda, Shinjuku, Tokyo, Japan)

After a 20-year gap in living in Japan, we went back to live in Tokyo for a year beginning in 2009. On our first night we headed to a Bon Odori at Tenso Jinja. That was a magical night for me.

Flash forward to 2013, and I hadn’t been to Japan for over three years. I wandered into my old neighborhood to find my local shrine getting ready for its annual Bon Odori. The vibe was bittersweet as I waxed nostalgic but also realized I would be heading back to the USA before the actual event took place the following week.

Posted on September 16th, 2015 under Japan. Tags: bon odori, lanterns, Nikon 24-120mm f/4 VR G lens, Nikon D600, nishi-waseda, shinto, 天祖神社. Comments Off on Prepping for the Tenso Jinja Bon Odori

天狗 @ 櫛田神社 (Fukuoka, Japan)

Posted on September 15th, 2015 under Japan. Tags: fukuoka, kushida jinja, Nikon 24-120mm f/4 VR G lens, Nikon D600, shinto, tengu. Comments Off on Kushida Tengu

Shinkyo (神橋) – Nikko, Japan

Once upon a time, only the emperor could cross this bridge. Shinkyo is part of Futarasan Shrine.

Posted on August 25th, 2015 under Japan. Tags: bridge, futarasan, nikko, shinto, snow. Comments Off on Nikko’s Shinkyo in the snow

Miyajima priest

The key to maintaining a business for a long time, especially this one which has been going on for hundreds of years, is to extract cash for services rendered. I’m not sure how much this lady had to pay for individual treatment from the priest. However, it’s well documented that Katsu Kaishu (勝海舟), in trying to give his famous peace sword to Itsukushima Shrine (厳島神社), was denied the privilege. Instead, he had to pay them to take it. I wonder if they still have it, or if they sold it to someone else.

Posted on August 22nd, 2015 under Japan. Tags: miyajima, Nikon 24-120mm f/4 VR G lens, Nikon D600, people, shinto. Comments Off on Staying in business