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Just Back from Japan: Part II
jeff lapoint
Registered Users Posts: 1,228 Major grins
I hope having two threads going at the same time is not a major no-no on this board. If so we can always try to have them combined:thumb
Thanks for all the kind comments on part one!
After visiting the very packed festival we decided to check out Harajuku
by way of Shibuya
Everything in Japan seems to be ,as my wife would say, cute. Even the buses.
The police in Tokyo are much different than I'm used to here in the states. This young officer was pleading with this intoxicated man to get up and move on. He was naked from the waste down, hammered, and belligerent, but the officer spoke to him like he was talking to someone he respected. The social structure is intricate and wonderfully subtle. The officer may have been wishing to rap this guy on the cranium, but outwardly we would never know. Worlds apart from what may have happened here.
Hachikō was an Akita that became famous for coming to the station everyday to search for his late master during the 1920's (1923-1935 actually) and became a local icon for his devotion. His statue is one of the most popular meeting spots for young people.
The is some serious shopping to do in and around Shibuya...as my wife can tell you. The Bic camera there is about 8 floors of electronic goodness.
Harajuku is the Tokyo teen Mecca. I'm a immature 30yr old that usually feels pretty comfortable around younger folks...drinking contest-no problem. Video game death match-I'm in. Regardless, I felt ancient in Harajuku. A few steps behind on the hip scale...at least:dunno
Style is king. Fishnets and knee high leggings are big right now, as are Louis Vitton bags. Sometimes it seems like every Japanese teen (guys too!) were sporting thousand dollar handbags.
There was some really cool graffiti in the back alleys and shops.
Stores in the area sell all kinds of costumes that lots of teens walk around in.
Nothing to make you feel old like the first time you think, "my daughter will never leave the house in that!". I don't even have kids:scratch
One of the large attractions in Harajuku used to be these people in costumes that would congregate on a bridge by the train station. They would show up in droves every Sunday to be photographed together. I'm told that a street by the bridge was recently opened up to traffic and the Harajuku teens were told to no longer gather there. I was hoping at least a few of them were still there.
This young punker wasn't really wearing an impressive costume, but she was waiting on the bridge with the few people that were.
When I first asked her for a photo she was wearing this permanent scowl. The moment I said *picture* she smiled wide, made a little giggle, and then quickly resumed character.
Speaking of characters, my wife insisted on taking a photo with this young lad.
My father in law is a Japanese businessman who is begging me to let him leave the caption right now:rofl
Right across the Harajuku bridge is the walkway to the Meiji Shrine. It is dedicated to [SIZE=-1]Emperor Meiji and Empress Shoken who played a major part in the modernization of Japan and the abolishment of the Tokugawa Shogunate/ feudal system. The walk is a welcome change of pace from the Harajuku scene.
This Torii is 12meters tall is made of Japanese cypress and acts as the shrine gate. Its the largest of its kind in Japan and the wood is about 1500 years old.
Upon entering the Shrine area it is customary to cleanse you hands and mouth.
Man praying at the Shrine. Before he bowed silently in prayer, he tossed coins into the grates in front of him, clapped twice, and then stepped back.
View of lanterns around the perimeter of the Shrines square.
Wide angle view of the Shrine inner square
Prayers written on wooden block hang waiting to be answered.
Weddings are held regularly at the Shrine and if you're lucky the procession will walk right by you!
It was a beautiful procession at that! Although... the groom looks terrified to me:D
Thanks for hanging for another loooong post and stay tuned for the next episode: Tsukiji Fish Market!
-j
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Thanks for all the kind comments on part one!
After visiting the very packed festival we decided to check out Harajuku
by way of Shibuya
Everything in Japan seems to be ,as my wife would say, cute. Even the buses.
The police in Tokyo are much different than I'm used to here in the states. This young officer was pleading with this intoxicated man to get up and move on. He was naked from the waste down, hammered, and belligerent, but the officer spoke to him like he was talking to someone he respected. The social structure is intricate and wonderfully subtle. The officer may have been wishing to rap this guy on the cranium, but outwardly we would never know. Worlds apart from what may have happened here.
Hachikō was an Akita that became famous for coming to the station everyday to search for his late master during the 1920's (1923-1935 actually) and became a local icon for his devotion. His statue is one of the most popular meeting spots for young people.
The is some serious shopping to do in and around Shibuya...as my wife can tell you. The Bic camera there is about 8 floors of electronic goodness.
Harajuku is the Tokyo teen Mecca. I'm a immature 30yr old that usually feels pretty comfortable around younger folks...drinking contest-no problem. Video game death match-I'm in. Regardless, I felt ancient in Harajuku. A few steps behind on the hip scale...at least:dunno
Style is king. Fishnets and knee high leggings are big right now, as are Louis Vitton bags. Sometimes it seems like every Japanese teen (guys too!) were sporting thousand dollar handbags.
There was some really cool graffiti in the back alleys and shops.
Stores in the area sell all kinds of costumes that lots of teens walk around in.
Nothing to make you feel old like the first time you think, "my daughter will never leave the house in that!". I don't even have kids:scratch
One of the large attractions in Harajuku used to be these people in costumes that would congregate on a bridge by the train station. They would show up in droves every Sunday to be photographed together. I'm told that a street by the bridge was recently opened up to traffic and the Harajuku teens were told to no longer gather there. I was hoping at least a few of them were still there.
This young punker wasn't really wearing an impressive costume, but she was waiting on the bridge with the few people that were.
When I first asked her for a photo she was wearing this permanent scowl. The moment I said *picture* she smiled wide, made a little giggle, and then quickly resumed character.
Speaking of characters, my wife insisted on taking a photo with this young lad.
My father in law is a Japanese businessman who is begging me to let him leave the caption right now:rofl
Right across the Harajuku bridge is the walkway to the Meiji Shrine. It is dedicated to [SIZE=-1]Emperor Meiji and Empress Shoken who played a major part in the modernization of Japan and the abolishment of the Tokugawa Shogunate/ feudal system. The walk is a welcome change of pace from the Harajuku scene.
This Torii is 12meters tall is made of Japanese cypress and acts as the shrine gate. Its the largest of its kind in Japan and the wood is about 1500 years old.
Upon entering the Shrine area it is customary to cleanse you hands and mouth.
Man praying at the Shrine. Before he bowed silently in prayer, he tossed coins into the grates in front of him, clapped twice, and then stepped back.
View of lanterns around the perimeter of the Shrines square.
Wide angle view of the Shrine inner square
Prayers written on wooden block hang waiting to be answered.
Weddings are held regularly at the Shrine and if you're lucky the procession will walk right by you!
It was a beautiful procession at that! Although... the groom looks terrified to me:D
Thanks for hanging for another loooong post and stay tuned for the next episode: Tsukiji Fish Market!
-j
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Comments
look forward to the fish market
OH hi Wife, I think that maybe this is the 1st time I've
seen you, although he spoke highly of you on all our little
outings, Honest !! :lol
Side note some 38 yrs ago I was there and although punk wasn't IN
your words and images helped me remember what a fine time I had
as well, thanks.
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Despite her protests, I'll be sure to post alot more photos of her!
-j
I took mostly tourist photos. Uploading to my webpage as I type.
I like your pics a lot. Going to look for your first post.
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Another great post full of nice pictures.
Hi Mrs. Jeff
Moderator of: Location, Location, Location , Mind Your Own Business & Other Cool Shots
Great pics!
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For almost the entire trip I used a canon 1DII N with a canon 24-70 2.8 lens. I used a 70-200 a few times one my last day of shooting just to compress a scene.
As for the skies, I generally do a curves color correction in LAB with photoshop and use some highlight /shadow recovery if I had to blow some sky highlights in order to preserve darker foreground detail. The are a few photoshop techniques for recreating graduated filters that I'm toying with, but I haven't really gotten a firm grip on them as of yet.
Thats crazy that we must have both been at the festival on the same day!
Thanks again for the kind coments!
-j
Thanks Angelo! I just noticed your new title
btw, your statement of everything in Japan is 'cute'....This is just one aspect of Japanese culture that baffles me....and your observation is true, and for a westerner, very hard to understand...I suppose the best way to put it: cute is cool in Japan.
In the US, wearing a Harley Davidson shirt is cool, and no one would be embarrassed to do it. Likewise in Japan, except it is cute animals, not motorcycle logos. A guy wearing a shirt with a cute animal on it is not much different than the Harley Davidson shirt here in the US.
weird but true. (known as [FONT=arial,helvetica,univers]kawaii...google/wiki it)[/FONT]
Thats one of the reasons I feel like it was such a good trip for me culturally-its so very different, but most of the people are so polite that it makes for a safe environment to experience all the wonderful differences:D
Thanks Chris! I did get to Akihabara and it was amazing. We were with family friends so I didn't really get into full photo mode:D It was awesome though!
Photos that don't suck / 365 / Film & Lomography
I think Japan would be a great place to visit. Wonderfully written too. I
look forward to the next installment.
B
My Smug Gallery
Thanks.
NEW Smugmug Site
Thanks Schmooo! The barrier is tough, but well worth the effort if you get a chance to pick up any Japanese.
My family is from B'more! I really did the urban adventure shots on your website
Thanks Ian!
multiple posts? where?:tiptoe
Japan is indeed a wonderful place to visit, especially Tokyo. It is just such a busy place that there is a palpable energy to it...
Next installment on its way tonight!
Thanks Tom!
Now, I'm going to look for Part 1 to enjoy as well :O)