Buddhist monks praying and accepting donations aren’t uncommon sights on Tokyo’s streets. Men who, along with their commendable dedication, offer an interesting contrast to the fashion and modernity that mostly surrounds them. But by all accounts, not all of them are genuine, with the general consensus being that some are merely masquerading as monks to make some money.
This fella, however, would appear to be the real deal, as he has been praying under the tracks near Tokyo’s Ueno Station for years. A fascinatingly still and silent presence in a city that is anything but.
Ramata says
Beautiful picture!
Lee says
Thanks a lot! I’ve always wanted to get a shot of him that I was happy with, and finally just about managed it.
GenjiG says
Great light!
Have you given him money?
Lee says
It was. A lovely day.
I don’t usually, but I did after taking the photo. Seemed like the right thing to do.
GenjiG says
I guess it is, there are worse things to lose your money to then a monk 🙂
Justin says
Such a nice photo
Lee says
Thanks a lot!
Hans ter Horst says
Great subject and great execution!
Lee says
Thank you! Yeah, he’s a great subject, isn’t he? Lovely expression, and those glasses are a very nice addition.
john says
Buddha under the tracks…
“Through a fault of our designing we are lost among the windings of these metal ways” (Brian Eno)
Maybe that is why he is there.
Lee says
Could well be, but either way, any Brian Eno reference is more than good enough for me.
john says
:o) Hope Uncle Brian is big in Japan!
Lee says
Not sure to be honest (although I did see him at Fuji Rock many years ago), but he most certainly is in my little part of Japan!
NyNy says
The quality is amazing and the monochrome works well in the picture.