Back to the New Year!

Earlier this year, there were a lack of post to this blog. Only two posts were made from the start of January til the end of February. For those few that wonder, it's not that I didn't take any photos... I just didn't make the time to post them. Anyway, I'll stop with the excuses and post some photos from earlier in the year.

The first flashback is to the mid-January and a New Year celebrations at my childrens' school. Although it's an international elementary school in central Tokyo with English as the main language, they have a strong cultural program that includes incorporating many Japanese customs. Just after the New Year, they hold a Omochitsuki (or Mochi-Pounding Ceremony). The children helped plant and cultivated the rice that is used in this ceremony, and participated with parents, teachers and other school supporters throughout the day.

One of the visual highlights of the day is the lion dance. Although Chinese in origin, the Japanese have incorporated as part of their New Years celebration as well.

Nikon D600 with Nikon 85mm f/1.4 AI-S @ f2.8, ISO 100, 1/200 sec.

The embedded EXIF data for this photo is wrong, when I mounted my manual focus lens I forgot to switch it from my 24mm f2.0 to the 85mm f1.4. Opps.

Nikon D600 with Nikon 85mm f/1.4 AI-S @ f5.6, ISO 100, 1/200 sec.

Nikon D600 with Nikon 85mm f/1.4 AI-S a> @ f2.8, ISO 100, 1/1250 sec.

Year of the Sheep

Happy New Year and Happy Year of the Sheep or Kung Hei Fat Choy or Mǎnián dàjí.

Just like last year, I spotted this year's large sheep themed ema near the entrance to Nogi Jinja.

Nikon D600 with Nikon 16-35mm f/4G ED VR II AF-S IF SWM @ 16 mm, f5.6, ISO 100, 1/20 sec.

Good Shot

I spotted this young lady with her prize from Meiji Jingu walking towards Harajuku and Omotesando. New Year arrows or Hamaya (破魔矢) are sold at most shrines in Japan. The Hamaya are displayed in peoples homes to ward off evil spirits. This is the first time that I have seen the target as a good luck charm. If I figure out what it is called and more information, I will post it here.

Nikon D600 with Nikon 85mm f/1.4 AI-S @ f2.8, ISO 100, 1/1600 sec.

Daibutsu Hiking Trail - Kita-Kamakura, Parting Shots from Kōtoku-in and Hase - Part 7

These are the last parting shots from my New Year's Daibustsu Hike. The first if of one of the guardian Nio at the entrance gate (or Nio-mon) to Kōtoku-in. The second is of a shimekezari. This New Year's wreath is hung over doorways or on doors to welcome the Shinto spirits. The third shot is of the crowded street leading up to Hase-dera Buddhist temple. It is one of the most famous temples in Kamakura and was founded in the 8th century. The last shot is of a lolly-pop that I glanced upon and quickly took a shot as I was making my way back to the Hase train station with my family.

Nikon D600 with Nikon 105mm f/2.8G ED-IF AF-S VR Micro-Nikkor Lens f4.0, ISO 100, 1/250 sec.

Nikon D600 with Nikon 105mm f/2.8G ED-IF AF-S VR Micro-Nikkor Lens f4.0, ISO 100, 1/1250 sec.

Nikon D600 with Nikon 105mm f/2.8G ED-IF AF-S VR Micro-Nikkor Lens f4.0, ISO 100, 1/250 sec.

Nikon D600 with Nikon 105mm f/2.8G ED-IF AF-S VR Micro-Nikkor Lens f4.0, ISO 100, 1/100 sec.

Year of the Horse

For those who follow these sorts of things, Happy New Year and Happy Year of the Horse or Kung Hei Fat Choy or Mǎnián dàjí.

Here's a horse spotted on what looks like a very large ema near the entrance to Nogi Jinja.

Nikon D600 with Nikon 24mm f/2.0 Nikkor AI @ f5.6, ISO 100, 1/100 sec.

Catching up on New Year's Hatsumode

I've been reviewing photos that taken earlier this year and should have posted, and came across a mid-January but first shrine visit of the year (or hatsumode).  Anyway, although it was the second weekend of January, the Meji Shrine was still in New Year's form.

At the main entrance from Harajuku Station, there were large bins set up to collect all of the omamori (silk sachets good luck charms) and hamaya (wooden arrows).

Nikon D700 with Nikon 16-35mm f/4G ED VR II AF-S IF SWM @ 17 mm, f8, ISO 200, 1/640 sec.

I'm not completely sure of the reason (perhaps it's Shinto versus Buddhist tradition), but daruma, dolls and teddy bears are not welcome and cannot be disposed of here.

Nikon D700 with Nikon 16-35mm f/4G ED VR II AF-S IF SWM @ 35 mm, f8, ISO 200, 1/320 sec.

As we passed through the second large torii gate, the atmosphere starts to get more festive. Around New Year's there are plenty of traditional decorations including lanterns, sake casks, and banners with the names of the sponsors.

Nikon D700 with Nikon 16-35mm f/4G ED VR II AF-S IF SWM @ 16 mm, f5, ISO 200, 1/125 sec.

Just outside the main shrine area you can see main temple gate with a large ema (or wooden plaque) proclaiming the year of the snake.

Nikon D700 with Nikon 16-35mm f/4G ED VR II AF-S IF SWM @ 30 mm, f8, ISO 200, 1/400 sec.

Nikon D700 with Nikon 80-200mm f/2.8D ED AF @ 80 mm, f8.0, ISO 200, 1/200 sec.

Nikon D700 with Nikon 80-200mm f/2.8D ED AF @ 200 mm, f8.0, ISO 200, 1/500 sec.

This is were you get the your hamaya (wooden arrows) for the New Year.

Nikon D700 with Nikon 80-200mm f/2.8D ED AF @ 120 mm, f8.0, ISO 200, 1/20 sec.

Here are the sake casks that I was talking about earlier.

Nikon D700 with Nikon 80-200mm f/2.8D ED AF @ 145 mm, f8.0, ISO 800, 1/100 sec.

The back-lit large torii gate and speckled lighting through trees at Meiji Jingu was beautiful.

Nikon D700 with Nikon 80-200mm f/2.8D ED AF @ 100 mm, f5.6, ISO 640, 1/200 sec.

Kadomatsu and other decorations...

I'm trying to catch up on some random end of year photos.  Things I should have posted and didn't get around too.  I'll start with the end of the year and see how much I can catch up on...

This set of  photographs is of New Year's decorations in Japan.  These are not by any means comprehensive, but just a few of the ones that I saw out and about town.

The first and last photos in this set I am sort of confused by.  It seems that the first is some sort of shimekazari, but I am just not sure.  It has the paper lightning, and the wreath like rope but, doesn't have the other decorations I have seen on other shimekazari.  Hmmm...

The next two photos are of a pair kadomatsu that I spotted outside a large house in the Motoazaubu area of Tokyo. I thought the pair looked like a grand decoration for a private residence.

The last photo is some sort of odd mini kodamatsu. It had many elements of a "traditional" kadomatsu, bamboo, pine branches and a plum sprig.  However, it was missing the staw.  I don't know enough about Japanese culture to be sure what it means, but it was pretty. I'll have to do more research or perhaps someone more enlightened can share their knowledge.

Blind Daruma

Are you ready to set a New Year's goal? These little red, round guys called daruma might be able to help meet your goals.  Japanese fill in one eye when they set their goal and fill in the other when the goal has been completed.  At the end of the year many of these are burnt at the temple, when the goals have been met and new ones are to be set.

Get your at the New Year's market at Sensoji Temple in Asakusa, Tokyo, Japan.  Set your goal, draw in one eye and get motivated as this little guy stares at you through the year.  Happy New Year!