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Sep 09 2013 14 Comments

Traditional Japanese outfits in an equally traditional Japanese setting

Despite its much-touted modernity, Tokyo is a surprisingly traditional city — both in customs and attitude. And as such, even in Harajuku, that mecca of fashion and youth culture, it’s still possible to see timeless sights such as this.

Japanese traditional outfits shrine cleansing

Categorized: Culture, Photography, Religion

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Martin says

    9/9/2013 at 8:42 am

    Beautiful Picture!

    Reply
    • Lee says

      9/9/2013 at 12:12 pm

      Thanks!

      I’d seen them heading towards the shrine and hoped they’d go through the cleansing ritual. Then the only problem was trying to get nobody else in the shot. Pretty tricky at Meiji Shrine!

      Reply
  2. Marc says

    9/9/2013 at 1:14 pm

    Well done!

    Reply
    • Lee says

      9/9/2013 at 2:34 pm

      Cheers!

      Reply
  3. Matt says

    9/9/2013 at 1:18 pm

    Stalker. Very nice shot though.

    Reply
    • Lee says

      9/9/2013 at 2:35 pm

      Haha, that’s not quite the way I like to see it!

      Reply
  4. Squidpuppy says

    9/9/2013 at 2:36 pm

    Timeless. Could just as well be two hundred years ago, only I guess it wouldn’t have been Meiji Jingu quite yet. And wait, what’s that? Do I see a water bottle there? Never mind, great setup; lovely photo.

    Reply
    • Lee says

      9/9/2013 at 6:47 pm

      Cheers!

      Yeah, the one real giveaway — a bloody pet bottle!

      Reply
  5. Hans ter Horst says

    9/9/2013 at 2:46 pm

    Fabulous shot, amazing colours!
    Is this at Tōgō Jinja dedicated to admiral Tōgō Heihachirō and the Kamikaze pilots just outside the shopping centre?

    Reply
    • Lee says

      9/9/2013 at 6:50 pm

      Thanks a lot!

      Nah, across the road at Meiji Jingu.

      Togo Jinja is a weird one. At least for me. I somehow only discovered it a couple of years ago. How on earth such a fascinating place escaped me I don’t know. Especially so considering its location.

      Reply
  6. Valerie says

    9/10/2013 at 10:49 am

    Timeless as you said. Lovely! I actually never go to Meijin Jingu (I went only once). I should try again. Especially on Saturdays for shinto weddings. But as you mentioned, the problem is not to have anyone else in the frame.

    A question… Film or Digital ? I noticed you have quite a lot of pictures shot with films. It would be nice to have some technical details.

    Cheers!

    Reply
    • Lee says

      9/10/2013 at 5:26 pm

      I have quite a soft spot for Meiji Jingu. Yes it’s very touristy, but it has a really nice vibe. Plus like you say, there are the weddings. Quite often cut through when heading towards Shinjuku on foot. Makes for an interesting contrast.

      As for technical details, everything is digital. Camera wise I use a Nikon D300 and a Leica M-E, although to be honest, the vast majority of what I post these days is from the Leica. Except that is for the scarecrows that I put up the day after this photo. That’s a Nikon shot.

      If you’d like any more info, I’m more than happy to provide it.

      Reply
      • Chris says

        9/11/2013 at 8:35 am

        What kind of lens would you attach to the Nikon when out wandering around Tokyo?

        Reply
        • Lee says

          9/11/2013 at 2:00 pm

          To be honest, I don’t anymore. Just tend to throw it in my bag when out cycling. But on the odd occasion I do, it’d be a 35mm.

          Reply

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