Photographs from a small group of islands
Tokyo isn’t exactly blessed with space. Or at least space that’s usable anyway. An issue that’s especially the case when it comes to accommodation, meaning compromises and workarounds are common — even for basic duties like doing the laundry. A task that can sometimes require coat hangers, a quiet side street and a suitably equipped window.
Considering the often wonderfully relaxed approach to religion in Japan, it’s still sometimes surprising to see a relatively steady stream of worshippers at many of Tokyo’s temples and shrines. But whether a lot of these trips are of a spiritual or more superstitious nature, is really hard to say. It could also be down to simple custom too. Yet whatever the actual reason, the seemingly quite ambiguous nature of many visits is really quite fascinating.
And at New Year, when the trickle of visitors very quickly becomes a torrent, such contrasting intentions become clear — yet at the same time, utterly unclear.
There’s reverence, and irreverence.
Plus seriousness, and simply pleasure.
All in the same frame. Often in the same family. Carried out all over the country.
After a turbulent 12 months for Japan, many traditional, early January trips to a temple or shrine held extra significance this year; the visit inevitably offering a stark reminder of the wishes from last year, and what was to come. Plus, if that wasn’t enough, a strong mid-afternoon quake on the 1st, most certainly was.
All of which meant that the customary burning of last year’s Daruma and the like, along with the purchase of a new one, was distinctly more poignant. As was the hope that somehow, in some way, it might make a difference.
In the last year I’ve taken an awful lot of photographs, and going back over the ones I’ve posted on Tokyo Times reminds me of the places and people I would have possibly forgotten. So here, as is customary at this time of year, is a round-up of my personal favourites. Some simply because of the image, others due to the moment (and memory) they capture.
They are in chronological order, and should you wish to, clicking on any photograph will take you to the original post.
All the very best for 2012!
As the Buddhist slowly approached and then passed the Christian, no words were spoken. In fact, there wasn’t even a nod, just a glance.
Yet it was a reaction nonetheless. One that, despite its minimal nature, was still more than either of them could muster from the masses.
