Photographs from a small group of islands
Japan’s most spectacular castle may well look its best when surrounded by spring’s generous bounty of blossom. But even on an overcast January morning — and with the extra burden of me behind the lens — the famous old building still retains its unique charm and beauty.
Proving it to be a very generous host indeed. Even if we were forced to walk around its interior in ill-fitting slippers, suffering temperatures barely above freezing.
The Japanese go as mad for the autumnal change in colour as they do for spring’s cherry blossom — almost. Meaning a peaceful day out in ‘the country’ has to be shared by hordes of leaf loving photographers; all happily snapping away, fastidiously filling another album with more red, orange and brown foliage.
Still, despite my rather forced cynicism, it is quite a pretty time of year.
I suppose.
There were no frenzied, pyrotechnic laden drum solos with this peaceful percussionist.
However a machine has since replaced him.
Only his hat remains.
Most shrines sell these small wooden tablets, upon which wishes and hopes are written by worshipers; then left behind for the gods to (hopefully) grant.
Personally I asked for the ability to take better pictures, but it appears there must be a backlog…
Needless to say the picture wasn’t taken in Tokyo.
How true it is I don’t know, but it’s often said that a bamboo forest is the safest place to be in an earthquake. Something to do with the tangle of roots perhaps.
Unfortunately the one pictured above is a good two hours from my apartment, meaning that cowering under a worryingly weedy table will have to remain my meagre method of defence.