The serene, almost ethereal beauty of traditional Japan, and the contrasting clamour of modern Tokyo.
Modern and traditional Japan: A contrast
Photographs from a small group of islands
Photographs from a small group of islands
The serene, almost ethereal beauty of traditional Japan, and the contrasting clamour of modern Tokyo.
Hans ter Horst says
Very cool angle of this red-crowned crane costume and the contrast of the surroundings!
Lee says
Cheers! It was crowded, and people were trying to get shots all over the place, so I gave up on trying to get one of the women in costume in isolation, and instead went for something a bit different. And in many ways the result is a lot more honest.
Al says
Wow, incredible outfit. Stunning! But nobody is looking at her?!!
Lee says
Definitely a striking outfit. Something I’ve never seen before as well, so a real treat. But there were about half a dozen women dressed the same, so I presume the people were photographing them.
Jay says
How fantastically framed. The apartment block in the background does it for me – in addition to emphasising the contrast between traditional and modern Japan, it is also a reminder of the contrast between special and beautiful on the one hand and plain, old everyday life on the other. Thank you!
Lee says
Thank you for the very nice words!
Yes, I like the apartment building in the background too. Like you say, it’s a reminder of the mundane and ordinary. Something that young lady in the foreground is certainly not.
john says
I do hope it wasn’t someone wishing to book ‘A Flock of Seagulls’ :O0
a flock of mobiles too – but restrained on the personalised bling!
Is that an awesome obi?
Lee says
If A Flock of Seagulls had been there, it’s hard to imagine who would have looked more out of place. Nah, it’s not actually. It’d have been A Flock of Seagulls, wouldn’t it?
It was. And to top things off, they had moving wings too. All combined, it was a genuinely striking sight.
Linda says
I’ve had this tab open on my browser since yesterday trying to make an intelligent comment but I am reduced to something like “So. Much. Wow.”
Lee says
That probably sums up the scene as well as anything!
She was even more of a contrast in real life. A genuinely striking sight.
Squidpuppy says
Ancient traditions = mostly silly hats? Great shot – one of those that begs a long and complicated story – and a punch line that leaves you scratching your head. Mikosama walks into an izakaya with a crane on her head…
What shrine is this? I’d like to look up the tradition; see what it’s all about.
Lee says
Haha, yes, hats are generally are given.
It does make for a slightly surreal sight, doesn’t it? Usual festival wear is interesting, but this was something very special.
The event was at Senso-ji. A few weeks or so ago. Pretty sure they pop up at another event some other time of the year, but this particular once was a all about the women with the fancy bird head hats.