Japan
Avenue of Swaying Bamboo, Kyoto
Early morning at Bamboo Grove in Kyoto
Moss Garden, Kyoto
Temple Setting, Kyoto
Geisha and Maiko, Japan
Geisha and apprentice geisha, (maiko) in Kyoto. The stunning kimomo are 100% silk. The nape of the Maiko's neck has the typical W shape of clear skin, and the scarlet-fringed collar of a maiko's kimono hangs very loosely in the back. These accentuate the nape of the neck, which is considered a primary erotic area in Japanese sexuality.
Torii Gates, Kyoto
Hundreds of vermillion torii gates at the Fushimi Inari Shrine in Kyoto
Cleansing Waters Fushimi Inari Shrine, Japan
Believers use these ladles at the Fushimi Inari Shrine to cleanse themselves before paying respect
Reflections on Kyoyochi Pond, Kyoto
Ryoanji Temple with zen rock garden. and Kyoyochi Pond
Golden Pavilion, Kyoto
Kinkakuji Temple of the Golden Pavilion on rainy day
Zen Rock Garden, Kyoto
Simple and remarkable rectangual Zen garden. There are no trees in the garden, only 15 rocks and immaticulately mantained white gravel.
Goma Fire Ceremony, Mount Koya, Japan
Dawn Goma fire ceremony in small temple at Mount Koya
Protection against bad spirits, Japan
Dragon protects holy water used for cleansing against bad spirits
Girl wearing Kimono in Samurai House, Iya Valley, Japan
Samurai concentrated in the largely inaccesible Iya Velley.
Iya Valley in Perspective, Japan
Steep, snow capped gorges of Iya Valley
Overlooking Iya Valley, Japan
Girl in Komono at Ritsurin Garden, Japan
Taken at 400 year old Ritsurin Garden, built in the Edo period. The beutiful Kimono is 100% silk and often handed down from mother to daughter.
Leisure on Lake, Ritsurin Garden, Japan
Japanese style boat ride on lake in 400 year old Ritsurin Garden, built in the Edo period.
Family Picnics, Ritsurin Park, Japan
Families Picnic under Cherry Blossom Trees in Ritsurin Park
Chichu Art Museum , Japan
Penetrating Light in Shrine, Naoshima, Japan
Light penetrates this very narrow underground tunnel. Located in the Honmure Art House Project in Naoshima, this very narrow tunnel, beneath the renovated Go'o Shine, is based on Shinto shrine structure from the 17-19 century Edo period when Japanese society was under the rule of the Tokugawa shogunate and the country's 300 regional daimyō.
Benesse House Grounds, Naoshima, Japan
Rose by Yoshihiro Suda, Benesse House Museum, Japan
Wood carving of a rose created from magnolia wood, carved by Yoshihiro Suda, on display at Benesse House Museum
Benesse House Museum, Japan
Hiroshima's Monument to Peace, Japan
Peace Memorial Park contains this monument, one of the last surviving buildings, to the devastation caused by the atomic bomb dropped on Hiroshima at 8:15 a.m. on August 6, 1945
Peace Memorial Hiroshima, Japan
Little Statues with Bonnets, Miyajima Itsukushima Islan, Japan
Hundred of these little statues line the walkways. Each statue has it's own facial expression and posture. Brightly colored knitted bonnets are provided to keep them warm. Taken on Miyajima island, (Shrine Island), formerly known as Itsukushima, at the site of a sacred Shinto Shrine, first built in 593.
Cleansing Water Urn, Japan
Taken on Miyajima island, (Shrine Island), formerly known as Itsukushima, at the site of a sacred Shinto Shrine, first built in 593.
Cheery Blossoms at Shrine Island, Japan
Taken on Miyajima island, (Shrine Island), formerly known as Itsukushima, at the site of a sacred Shinto Shrine. First built in 593, the shrine and its torii gate are unique for being built over water, seemingly floating in the sea during high tide.
