Photographs from a small group of islands
With its exquisite patterns and incredibly feminine form, the kimono is always eye-catching, and, considering that it’s a relatively uncommon sight that’s saved for special occasions, such as the recent Coming of Age Day celebrations, seeing one is always a bit special.
But, as striking as the two ladies below looked as they walked towards me, once they had passed, their hugely tricky to tie obi were possibly even more appealing.
A lot of Japanese traditions contain real beauty, but the kimono takes some beating, and on Coming of Age Day (Seijin no Hi), when the nation’s 20-year-olds are bequeathed the dubious accolade of adulthood, this stunning piece of clothing can be seen all over the capital.
Brightening otherwise rather drab bits of the city.
Such as the humble post office.
And the usually far from flattering photo booth.
The latter in fact being quite appropriate, as the day involves more than a few photographs for family and friends.
Along with an incredibly large contingent of camera-clutching spectators.
But most of all it seems like a day of fun. And one filled with lots of laughter.
Despite many Japanese households being full of New Year food (osechi) for the first of the month, and indeed the foreseeable future, it doesn’t mean that when making a traditional visit to the shrine, overindulgence needs to stop. In fact, quite the opposite is true, as there’s often more than enough fare there than one could ever wish to waddle over to.
However, as good as such Japanese street food is, those actually making it are arguably more interesting, with this fella being my previous, and still ever-present, local shrine favourite.
But this year, with his towel.
And attentiveness.
This man took the title.
During the early days of January in particular, when it seems the whole nation moves en masse to a shrine or temple, picking an omikuji (randomly chosen fortune) is a very popular practice indeed, with even the purchasing of one being quite pleasant.
The only trouble is, having read them from a very early age, an especially bad one can wind up being a bit of a worry for some.
Fortunately, however, these can be conveniently tied onto something appropriate, and happily forgotten.
Hopefully.
There are temples and shrines all over the place in Tokyo, and yet as a whole, the Japanese really aren’t all that religious. Superstitious, on the other hand, may well be a different story, but pious? Probably not.
Come New Year’s Day, however, an absolutely massive number of people head to one of these many places of worship and rather refreshingly eat, drink, have a really good time, and even pray for something they could do with in the coming year: money maybe, or a decent score in a dreaded exam.
But for some, less of a scene and much more silence is what’s called for, and fortunately for this fella, he found such a place.
Arguably the greatest thing about Japanese festivals is the people that they attract, and the tori no ichi matsuri at Tokyo’s Hanazono Shrine is definitely no different; an event where people go to pray for good luck and buy extortionately priced bamboo ornaments, or kumade.
But as the shrine is in kabukicho, Shinjuku’s famous red-light district, the traditional attire of most festivals was noticeably absent, and was instead replaced by a look that seemed more appropriate to the surrounding area. Such as the glamorous.
Which sunglasses are certainly good for.
And also the girlie.
Not to mention, of course, the more grizzled.
Plus, as well as the usual food and drink on offer, there was also the option of seeing the travelling ‘snake lady’, about whom more can be read here. The prospect of which, partly built up by her promoter.
And her eye-catching promotional poster.
Left some looking a little apprehensive to say the least.
And apprehension was something I also felt at the festival, although not in regards performers, but instead about taking pictures. As, due to the kinds of businesses that were looking for a bit of luck, there were a large number of mobsters and their minions milling about. None of which, for obvious reasons, I felt comfortable photographing.
So instead, here’s a yakuza tattoo-themed Kewpie kumade to finish off with.
