Modern and traditional takes on the transient nature of life?
Religion
Tokyo Buddhist prayers and stares
Tokyo Buddhist versus Christian
In the age-old battle for hearts and minds, both of them were touting eternal life of some description. Or at the very least the potential for it. But despite countless passers-by, no offerings were made, and the offer of a free bible wasn’t pursued.
So all in all an uneventful draw. A result that the men involved presumably deemed a spiritual failure. As an intriguing spectacle, on the other hand, it was a suitably awkward success.
A lovely Japanese chapel
Surprisingly, amidst the rice fields and farmhouses, what appeared to be a rather nice chapel slowly came into view.
And, as we got a little closer, our expectations were confirmed — it was indeed lovely.
Yasukuni Shrine on the 70th anniversary of Japan’s surrender
Tokyo’s controversial Yasukuni Shrine is a divisive place of worship at the best of times, but on August 15th, the anniversary of Japan’s World War II surrender, it’s an element that is even more pronounced. The vast majority of people are there for the right reason — to simply remember the past. The very noticeable contingent from the far right, however, are there to revere it. And some, quite possibly, are somewhere in-between.
A Japanese priest on horseback in Tokyo
Exactly what the title says, along with a colourful, but rather carelessly placed parasol. A sight that needless to say is not something one sees everyday. Or indeed the vast majority of days. Making the slightly surreal scene all the more special.