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Ladder going up to the attic.548 views
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Finland: Land of Lakes 湖だらけの国547 viewsWhen you look at a map of Finland or see it from the air, the first thing you notice is that it has a lot of lakes. Ten percent of the country is covered by lakes, but from the air over the southern half, it looks like least 30%-40% of the land is water.
It looked like a field of giant puddles or one giant marshland. It was like the country was sinking into ocean. I had never seen so many lakes in my life. Incredible. And if it's not water, it's forests. Some 70% of Finland is covered by forests.
I think Finland will someday become a popular tourist destination, especially for people who need to escape the urban hustle-bustle and stressful lifestyle. There are nothing like trees and lakes which can pacify humans.
Basic intro to Finland: http://virtual.finland.fi/
Finland map: Virtual Finland map
上空からも直ぐ分かるけど、フィンランドは湖がとっても多い国。20万弱の湖。面積の一割が湖。なんと国の７割は森林。湖と森林は、人を癒すものである。
HP: フィンランド政府観光局（日本語）
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Hagoita Honey547 views
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Narita-san Setsubun bean throwers. Sumo wrestlers, Nishida Hikaru, Makise Riho, etc.547 views
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Trap door behind a scroll with the kanji "shinobi" (stealth).546 views
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Genroku Flower-Viewing Dance 元禄花見踊り545 views
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Shiga LakeStars cheerleaders.545 views
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Nagasaki Atomic Bomb Museum. Next to the hypocenter is the atomic bomb museum and registry shelf which stores the names of the atomic bomb victims.544 views
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Daihatsu544 views
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Tekomai Geisha, Fukagawa Hachiman Festival, Tokyo544 viewsTomioka Hachimangu Shrine in Fukagawa, Tokyo holds the full-scale Fukagawa Hachiman Festival every three years in August. It is a parade of over 50 portable shrines preceded by a troupe of tekomai geisha.
Their colorful costume is partially masculine with trousers instead of skirts. Their right shoulder is "exposed" to show a peony flower design. They carry a red paper lantern imprinted with their names and use their right hand to drag along a metal wand. As they walk, they only sing traditional chant-like songs. They do not dance.
See more photos of this festival here.
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Snip by Kitanoumi, the head of the Japan Sumo Association544 views
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Hagoita Honey poses in Asakusa544 views
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Going through the trap door.544 views
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Shinya Katabuchi vs. Tatsuhiro Muramoto (Semi-final)543 views
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Nebuta Festival ねぶた祭543 viewsAomori
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Hagoita Honey543 views
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Maki-bishi made of steel. Used for escape when they encountered an enemy. Many of the ninja's weapons were designed to buy time for the ninja to escape.543 views
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Pulling it tight542 views
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Peace Statue541 viewsEvery Aug. 9, the anniversary of the atomic bombing, a memorial service is held here.
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Traditional minka house541 views
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Ozeki Musoyama is defeated.541 views
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Musashimaru's final dohyo-iri541 views
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Banner of shunga-style penis painting.541 views
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The following photos (watermarked "2008") of Robert Walker Irwin's summer residence were taken before it was moved to its present location.541 views
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Throwing sickles and shuriken.541 views
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Finale540 views
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Established in 1617, Tsukiji Hongwanji temple is the Tokyo headquarters of the Nishi Hongwanji Jodo Shinshu sect. The present temple, based on Indian architecture, was built in the 1930s.539 viewsThe temple is the only one in Japan which is under the direct control of the sect. Its head priest is the Monshu Abbot himself. April 8 is observed as Buddha's birthday, called Hana Matsuri ("Flower Festival) in Japan.
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Warlord banners, left to right: Kuroda, Fukushima, Honda, and Tokugawa.539 views
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539 views
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Yuta Yazaki vs. Yohei Takai538 views
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Seven Gods of Good Fortune 浅草市村座七福神舞538 views浅草市村座七福神舞
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Old photo538 viewsThis picture was taken in the 1980s.
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A large crowd tries to catch numerous mochi which are hard and can be dangerous if it hits you on the face or head. To avoid injury, do not look down and don't try to pick up mochi on the ground. You can get trampled, and most injuries occur this way.538 views
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You have to applaud once in a while.538 views
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The folded right leg symbolizes quiet meditation.537 views
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1717: Firemen's Acrobatics. Ooka Echizen no Kami Tadasuke (1677-1751) and Edo Fire Brigade. Ooka was a famous Edo magistrate who organized fire brigades in Edo. 大岡越前守と江戸町火消537 views
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Closeup of white plum blossom537 views
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Yamato Awa Odori536 views
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The first mikoshi is for Takeinadane-no-Mikoto coming to visit his wife of Tamahime at Tagata Shrine, where Tamahime's residence was located.536 views
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535 views
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Firemen's Acrobatics535 views大岡越前守と江戸町火消
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Kanamara mikoshi535 views
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Musashimaru finally appears for a yokozuna belt demo535 views
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The upper walls have explanations about the Koka ninja and Mochizuki ninja family. "Koka" is the correct pronunciation, but the kanji can also be pronounced "Koga" which has become more common.535 views
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Awa Odori Dance, Koenji, Tokyo534 viewsIn late August, Koenji in Tokyo holds one of the largest Awa Odori dances outside Tokushima Prefecture. This woman is a different type of Awa dancer. She wears a head band, a happi coat imprinted with the name of her dance troupe, a pair of white shorts, and a pair of white sock-like shoes called tabi.
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Oh, I gotta take a picture of this...534 viewsLook at the gyoji referee who must be thinking, "C'mon, hurry up!"
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534 views
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The Bunkyo Tsutsuji Matsuri or Azalea Festival is held from April to early May at Nezu Shrine which has a slope filled with 50 varieties of azaleas.534 views
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Even ninja get thirsty.534 views
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Giant painted pictures of Musashimaru decorating the arena inside. Each one commemorates a tournament victory.533 viewsThese giant pictures are actually black-and-white photographs taken in a photo studio and printed on large paper. Then it is hand-painted in color by a woman who has been doing it for years.
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His mom is next...533 views
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Cherry Blossoms, Potomac Park, Washington, DC。. Postcard made in the USA in the late 1930s or early 1940s. It was in 1912 (the year the Titanic sank) when Viscountess Chinda, the wife of Japan's Ambassador to the U.S., gave 2,000 small cherry trees.533 viewsIt was in 1912 (the year the Titanic sank) when Viscountess Chinda, the wife of Japan's Ambassador to the U.S., gave 2,000 small cherry trees to Mrs. Helen Taft, the wife of President Willian Taft. In a quiet ceremony, Mrs. Taft and Viscountess Chinda planted the first two cherry trees along the Tidal Basin in Potomac Park in Washington, DC. These two trees still exist today, marked by a special plaque. .
To read more about the interesting history of these cherry trees, see the National Park Service's Web site on the Washington Cherry Trees. You can read about how the original shipment of 2,000 cherry trees from Tokyo in 1910 had to be destroyed upon arrival in the US due to the infestation of harmful insects and diseases.
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Ariake Coliseum (Colosseum) in Koto Ward, Tokyo, near Odaiba. One of Tokyo Apache's home courts in Tokyo. Easily accessible via Yurikamome Line (Ariake Station) and Rinkai Line (Kokusai Tenjijo Station). 有明コロシアム533 views
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532 views
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A group of men carry a red and white pole in front of Inazawa Station, on their way to Konomiya Shrine.532 views
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Roof with ninja family crest.532 views
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And it leaves the shrine.531 views
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Heading out to the torii gate 神輿の巡幸531 views
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Othello531 views
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My lunch. Ball-shaped gyoza. The skin is slightly crunchy.531 views
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Musashimaru's final dohyo-iri530 viewsHe could have had Yokozuna Asashoryu be either the sword bearer or dew sweeper, but he chose to have his stablemates to join his final dohyo-iri.
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Gunpowder case530 views
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9:20 am: Long line behind. If it's a sunny day, it's sunburn time. We waited here for over 30 min.529 views
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Two for the price of one!!528 views
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528 views
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Hagoita Honey528 views
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527 views
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Suzuki Ionis527 viewsA real ballerina-type model danced in front of the car. I like this picture.
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Musashimaru's final dohyo-iri527 views
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Facing the right in thanks...527 views
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Entering the main shopping street526 views
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Big expressive eyes.526 views
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Kanamara mikoshi salutes the Wakamiya Hachimangu Shrine525 views
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Portable shrine procession 神輿の巡幸525 views
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Toyama Castle525 views
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The battle started at the foot of the hill on the left of the road. The small hill on the right was where Shimazu Yoshihiro was stationed. Mt. Ibuki is in the background in the middle.525 views
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Main entrance to Miidera (Onjoji) temple. It is the headquarters temple of the Tendai Jimon Buddhist Sect (founded by Priest Enchin) and former rival of Enryakuji temple on Mt. Hiei, also in Shiga. MAP525 views
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Comic sumo (shokkiri sumo)524 viewsThis is comedy time with two young wrestlers performing various comical antics (spitting at each other, kicking, and other illegal sumo acts) on the ring.
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Cosplayer teenager posing on the road.524 views
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Veranda of Iga-ryu Ninja House 524 views
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Towel throwing523 viewsDuring the finale, the geisha started throwing hand towels to the audience.
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Closing words523 viewsThe women standing in the back are the okami-san (proprietress) of high-class Japanese-style restaurants in Kagurazaka where the geisha are hired to perform at private geisha parties.
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Filling up the plaza523 views
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Warrior armor displayed on second floor of Himeji Castle tower523 views
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Cherry Blossom Room, Kobuntei Villa523 views
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もっと奇麗に歩け523 views
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Nijubashi Bridge, the symbol of the Imperial Palace and Tokyo. One of Japan's most famous bridges. There is another bridge behind this one. 二重橋523 views
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The Yushima Tenjin Ume Matsuri (Plum Blossom) Festival is held annually from early Feb. to early March. Enjoy the sweet fragrance of the flowers and on weekends, stage entertainment can include belly dancers and Shiraume Taiko women drummers.523 viewsThis is the entrance to Yushima Tenjin Shrine (also called Yushima Tenmangu) flanked by plum blossoms on the right.
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No Tripods522 views三脚使用禁止 - The bold characters read, "Sankyaku shiyō kinshi" meaning tripod use is prohibited. The sign further explains that since tripods hinder the view of other spectators, they are not allowed except in the press photographers' box.
The kanji characters for tripod consists of "san" for three (the 3 horizontal lines make it obvious), and "kyaku" which means legs.
Place: Tsurugaoka Hachiman Shrine (during the Yabusame Festival), Kamakura, Kanagawa Pref.
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Genroku Flower-Viewing Dance522 views
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Firemen's Acrobatics 大岡越前守と江戸町火消522 views
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Heading out of the shrine (old photo)522 viewsThis picture was taken in the 1980s.
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Stairs to go back down to the 1st floor. There's a rotating door. Ninja worked behind the scenes and were very secretive. They hardly told others about their activites nor left written records. Sometimes they worked as spies or mole.522 views
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Maiko with umbrella. The quickest way to tell if she is a geisha or maiko is by looking at her back. The tell-tale sign of a maiko is her long obi sash hanging down behind. Whereas the geisha's sash has a short knot instead.522 views
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Bow twirling (called Yumitori-shiki) is the final ceremony at the end of the tournament day which is around 6 pm. 522 views
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Right view from Nijubashi Bridge. In the distance, you can see another parallel bridge which leads directly into the inner grounds of the palace. We will cross that bridge too. There is also the castle-like structure called the Fushimi Turret.521 views
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Todaiji Temple521 views
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The End of Hawaii's Golden Age in sumo. For the first time since 1968, no wrestler from Hawaii is in the top Makunouchi division.520 views
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Tekomai520 views
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Shuriken Dojo Hall 手裏剣道場520 views
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A long line outside Kyoto City Gymnasium on Oct. 3, 2009 before noon when gates opened for the Kyoto Hannaryz debut game in the bj-league.520 views
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Finale519 viewsEveryone performed in the finale.
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Hummer519 viewsShe was charming...
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Porsche519 views
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Yasukuni Shrine's main torii during Mitama Matsuri519 views
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Yumitori-shiki bow-twirling ceremony518 views
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Oda Nobunaga 織田信長518 views
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Next to the Ninja house is the Koka Ninja Museum (Koka Ninjutsu Hakubutsukan). This was also a fomer house transplanted here. 甲賀忍術博物館518 views
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Makushita sumo match517 viewsLower-division wrestlers wear black belts, while the upper division wrestlers wear white belts (during practice) or colored belts during official matches.
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Rope knots hung on roof eaves, etc., were also used for communication.517 views
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Bird's eye view of Shirakawa-go from Ogimachi Castle ruins.516 views
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9:35 am: Walking toward the second bridge. We walked up a slight slope to reach the second, parallel bridge. The Fushimi Turret is in the background.514 views
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Numerous azalea bushes514 views
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Fukuoka Castle, Kinen Turret514 views祈念櫓
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Elizabeth mikoshi carried by she-males514 views
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514 views
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Portable shrine procession513 views
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The scissors (golden)513 viewsI think it was given by French President Chirac who is a sumo fan.
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Toshi-gami deity of harvests is pulled on a palanquin instead of being carried.513 views
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Another Shinsaibashi Top Lady512 views
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Teruha with chrysanthemum. The flower she's holding matches her kimono design that shows the same flower. Her name was Teruha and she appeared in many postcards. She was born in 1896 in Osaka and worked as a geisha in Shimbashi, Tokyo. Click to read m512 viewsTeruha with chrysanthemum. The flower she's holding matches her kimono design that shows the same flower. Her name was Teruha and she appeared in many postcards. She was born in 1896 in Osaka and worked as a geisha in Shimbashi, Tokyo before becoming a Buddhist priest in Kyoto. Read more about her interesting life by James A. Gatlin at geikogallery.com.
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Kanamara boat mikoshi511 views
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Sagami River Koi-nobori511 viewsMore pictures here
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Medicine ad sign reading Ninjutsu-gan. For belly aches. Although the ninja's medicine-making remains today, the art of ninjutsu is ironically no longer practiced in Koka. It is not a martial art like karate and judo.511 views
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Iga-ryu Ninja House garden. They take you in groups, so you may have to wait a while before you can go in.511 views
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Entrance to Hibiya Park near the Imperial Palace and Ginze. One of Tokyo's most centrally-located parks. Free admission.511 views
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Danger, Keep Out510 views危険 立入禁止 - The kanji characters on the right say "kiken" meaning danger. The big characters on the left say "tachi-iri kinshi" meaning "entry prohibited." Remember the word "kiken" (危険）. It is one of the three most common words on warning signs in Japan. Another one is "kinshi" （禁止）. If you see it, be aware that something is prohibited.
Place: Ohara beach, Chiba.
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Year 1702: The 47 masterless retainers arrive to avenge their lord. In 1701 in the shogun's palace, Lord Asano Naganori draws his sword in a fit of anger and cuts Kira Yoshinaka, the highest-ranking master of protocol who had mocked Asano.510 viewsAsano was immediately forced to commit ritual seppuku. At the end of the following year, his 47 masterless retainers avenged their master's death by attacking and beheading Kira at his residence in Ryogoku. This story of loyalty soon becomes a timeless classic known as "Chushingura."
義士の討ち入り
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Ladies in waiting (hey there, look up!)510 views下を向いたらあかん。
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510 views
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People behind fill up the rest of the plaza509 views
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She wears a juni-hitoe kimono and rides in a carriage called Oyoyo. 斎王代、齋藤彩子さん (21)509 views腰輿（およよ）
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Akita bijin (beauties) promoting Akita rice509 views
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Back view509 views
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Map of Hama-rikyu Gardens. Main entrance is on the upper left corner.509 views
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At the top, see the two large rocks which served as a table and bench for Ieyasu. 家康の腰掛岩と机石509 views
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The Ninja house was built in 1842. There is a guide (dressed in ninja costume) inside to show you around.509 views
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Aloha Dalire teaching hula in Ikaho. The Hawaiian workshops were held at the Ikaho Kaikan Hall in central Ikaho. アロハ・ダリレが教えるフラセミナー509 views
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Omi-Maiko Station on JR Kosei Line. It makes it easy for people in Kyoto to visit Omi-Maiko. MAP508 viewsSign says "Welcome to Omi-Maiko." Omi-Maiko was in the former town of Shiga-cho that merged into Otsu.
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Musashimaru acknowledges a spectator as he proceeds to the ring.508 viewsThis was a demonstration on how they tie on the thick, white rope (tsuna) around his waist. The tsuna is the symbol of the yokozuna. It takes several assistants to put it on. They are all wearing white gloves.
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508 views
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To Dogenzaka and Center-gai arcade508 views
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Steps going up to Tokugawa Ieyasu's first base camp at Momokubari during the Battle of Sekigahara on Oct. 21, 1600 (Sept. 15 of Keicho 5). Today it's just a small hill. The highway seemed to have cut through most of it.508 views
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Shuriken throwing.507 views
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More people than the real tournament506 viewsAbout 8,000 people took time out from their Golden Week holidays to see this official sumo practice of all sumo stables.
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Uradome Coast, Tottori506 views
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505 views
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At sea aboard USS Kitty Hawk (CV 63) Dec. 10, 2002 -- Sailors aboard the Japanese Maritime Self Defense Force (JMSDF) ship Chokai (DDF 176) come along side the Kitty Hawk to receive fuel during a replenishment at sea (RAS).505 viewsAt sea aboard USS Kitty Hawk (CV 63) Dec. 10, 2002 -- Sailors aboard the Japanese Maritime Self Defense Force (JMSDF) ship Chokai (DDF 176) come along side the Kitty Hawk to receive fuel during a replenishment at sea (RAS). Kitty Hawk had the opportunity to work with the JMSDF during exercises conducted earlier in the deployment. Kitty Hawk is the U. S. Navy’s only forward-deployed aircraft carrier and operates out of Yokosuka, Japan. U.S. Navy photo by Photographer’s Mate 3rd Class Todd Frantom. (RELEASED)
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504 views
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Alpine504 viewsShe had horde of photographers crowded in front of her. But she managed to find me and smiled.
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Yamaha Gen-Ryu motorcycle504 views
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Townsend Harris and Commodore Perry 黒船来航・浦賀奉行504 views
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Imabari Castle 今治城504 views
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504 views
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Palanquin for Deity of Harvests504 views
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Preparing unagi eel, Narita, Chiba. Also see the video at YouTube.502 viewsSlicing it in half lengthwise.
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George Washington is en route to Yokosuka, Japan, where the ship will replace the aircraft carrier USS Kitty Hawk (CV 63) as the Navy's only forward deployed aircraft carrier.502 viewsPACIFIC OCEAN (Aug. 28, 2008) The aircraft carrier USS George Washington (CVN 73) transits off the coast of Southern California conducting its combat operations efficiency evaluation with Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 5. George Washington is en route to Yokosuka, Japan, where the ship will replace the aircraft carrier USS Kitty Hawk (CV 63) as the Navy's only forward deployed aircraft carrier. U.S. Navy's only forward deployed aircraft carrier. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communications Specialist Second Class Clifford L. H. Davis/Released)
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Koi-nobori carp streamers over Sagami River. Also see the video at YouTube.501 views
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Takeinadane-no-Mikoto501 views
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501 views
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Held only once every 5 years, the Ibuki-yama Taiko Drum Dance was held on Oct. 3, 2010 in Ueno, a small neighborhood at the foot of Mt. Ibuki. 501 views
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Shin-Iwakuni Station500 views
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Setsubun bean throwing at Zojoji Temple in Tokyo with Tamao-chan, Ai-chan, and Tochiazuma500 viewsAi-chan was really cute and seemed to be having a great time throwing the beans. Nakamura Tamao (actress), Fukuhara Ai (table tennis player) and Ozeki Tochiazuma (sumo wrestler)
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Kanamara mikoshi500 views
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According to one story, the Nebuta has its roots in the 8th century.500 viewsAccording to one story, the Nebuta has its roots in the 8th century when there was a rebellion in Ezo (Hokkaido). Ordered by Emperor Kanmu to quell the rebellion, generalissmo Sakanoue no Tamuramaro went to Ezo. However, he failed to capture the elusive chief of Ezo who went into hiding in the mountains.
Sakanoue then set up a trap with large votive lanterns which were lit and accompanied by taiko drums and flutes. This lured the curious Ezo chief out of hiding and led to his capture. The large lanterns were the forerunner of the Nebuta.
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Headquarters of the Tendai Buddhist sect, Enryakuji is a large complex of temples, halls, buildings, and monuments on Mt. Hiei in Otsu, Shiga Prefecture. It boasts buildings which are National Treasures. MAP500 views
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499 views
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This story of loyalty soon becomes a timeless classic known as "Chushingura." 義士の討ち入り499 views
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499 views
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Ninja costumes for sale. 10,000 yen for adult costume, and 7,000 yen for children's size.499 views
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Hypocenter498 views
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The Registry Shelf points to the hypocenter.498 views
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April 8, 2006 at Ushigome-Tansu Kumin Hall in Kagurazaka, Tokyo498 viewsStarting at 4 pm, this was the third and last show of the day and all 400 seats were sold out.
The performance had two parts separated by a 20-min. intermission. Each part had several different dances.
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Monument for Sarutobi Sasuke, a famous Koga ninja who was born in Koka. However, he was only fictional character. Ninjas never tried to become famous. 猿飛佐助の碑498 views
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Real ninja obviously did not wear a pink costume, but in the manga/anime world, pink looks cute.498 views
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8:43 am: Passed body check and walking to waiting line. After seeing these coned lanes, I was glad that I went early. I don't know if all these lanes were later filled with people, but probably yes.497 views
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Kimono women going to a convenience store, Ako, Hyogo497 views
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Temple office sells souvenirs such as the maneki neko beckoning cat in various sizes (and prices).497 views
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Ceiling of Ninja House.497 views
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The array of ninja weapons and tools was very impressive. This Ninja House strives to dispel some of the myths and misconceptions of the ninja. A visit is highly recommended.497 views
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Secretary of the Navy (SECNAV) the Honorable Dr. Donald C. Winter delivers remarks at the arrival ceremony for the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS George Washington (CVN 73).497 viewsYOKOSUKA, Japan (Sept. 25, 2008) Secretary of the Navy (SECNAV) the Honorable Dr. Donald C. Winter delivers remarks at the arrival ceremony for the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS George Washington (CVN 73). George Washington's arrival from its former homeport of Norfolk, Va., marks the beginning of its role as the Navy's only permanently forward-deployed aircraft carrier and as centerpiece of the U.S. 7th Fleet's Carrier Strike Group Five. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Charles Oki/Released)
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Harie is a unique rural neighborhood where homes draw clean water from an ever-flowing spring directly from the ground into private wells called kabata. A local NPO conducts tours of the area and homes with kabata.497 viewsHarie is in Takashima, Shiga, near JR Shin-Asahi Station on the Kosei Line, the gateway to Shin-Asahi and Harie. 新旭駅 MAP
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Men Take Strands of Straw496 views
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Sumo jinku496 viewsThey are singing sumo jinku, a chant-like song about sumo and sumo wrestlers. They are singing about Musashimaru and his career.
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Gishisai: Kira's head strung on a spear is brought to Sengakuji temple.496 views
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The veranda is another escape route after opening trick windows from the inside. Ninja avoided direct combat and preferred to defend themselves and escape from enemies. Assassination was only a minor part of their activities.496 views
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Swinging down a rope.496 views
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This entire ceiling was designed to fall down on any assailant in this room.496 views
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Beware of Flashers!494 viewsエッチマン注意！ - Besides watching out for poisonous snakes, jellyfish, and wild monkeys as you saw in the previous images, there's one last wild animal to watch out for: the flasher. Apparently, this country neighborhood has had a flasher (a person who shows his genitals) so often that they put up this sign to warn female passers by.
The sign reads "H man chūi!" "H" is for "hentai" meaning pervert. "Man" is man, and you know what "chūi" means.
Place: Country road, northern Shiga Pref.
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Onomichi Castle (tourist facility). The castle was finally dismantled in 2020-21. A very slow process since heavy duty equipment cannot access the structure.494 viewsThis is not based on an actual castle, but built as an amusement attraction. Now closed.
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At 4 pm, the festival's final event is the mochi-nage or rice-cake tossing. First, they warn eveyone that the shrine won't be liable for any injury you might incur from this. And the elderly and children should avoid this mochi-nage.494 views
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Blow tube and blow darts.494 views
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Lotus at Karasuma Peninsula in Kusatsu.493 views
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Nijubashi Bridge straight ahead!493 views
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493 views
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The cars were all glossy and colorful, very nice.493 views
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Everywhere you go in Iga-Ueno, you see a ninja motif.493 views
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Mud Slinging492 views
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Practice492 views
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Watch Out for Pickpockets!492 viewsスリに御用心 - Another human animal to watch out for. "Suri ni go-yōjin!" means watch out for pickpockets! "Suri" means pickpocket, and "go-yōjin" is like "chūi."
Place: Takayama Festival, Gifu Pref.
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Musashigawa stablemaster (former Yokozuna Mienoumi) in the entrance hall492 viewsInside the entrance hallway, there was a long table on the left side with ribbons which served as name tags for distinguished guests. Musashigawa is the name of Musashimaru's sumo stable.
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Statue of Chiba-no-suke Tsuneshige built in Dec. 2001 to commemorate Chiba city's 80th anniversary. 千葉介常重492 viewsLord Chiba-no-suke Tsuneshige was the founder of Chiba Castle in 1126.
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492 views
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Ichinomiya Station has both the JR Tokaido Line and Meitetsu Line. Ichinomiya literally means "Shrine No. 1."492 views
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491 views
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The famed Bansenshukai Ninja Bible detailing ninja tools and techniques. This is a replica.491 views
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490 views
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Koganei Park sakura490 views
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Statue of castle founder and 1st lord, Yuki Hideyasu 結城秀康490 views
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Tofukuji Temple, Kyoto490 views
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Honda Motorcycles489 views
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在原業平 東下り489 views
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Panoramic shot of the Kokugikan489 viewsNotice the upper floor was quite empty, similar to Akebono's retirement ceremony.
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Defensive barriers on Mt. Sasaoyama, Ishida Mitsunari's base camp. 笹尾山 石田三成陣跡489 views
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Oiran and her attendants then performed a short but spectacular oiran show on the stage from about 2 pm. おいらんショー489 views
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JR Miharu Station on the Ban'etsu-to Line, two stops from JR Koriyama Station on the Tohoku shinkansen line.489 views
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Press conference by Keiji Suzuki488 views
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Sankin Kotai Daimyo Gyoretsu palanquin. This is how the daimyo traveled--in a comfortable box hand-carried by men. 参勤交代 大名行列488 views
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Turning around at the end of the route.488 views
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Medicine packages from Koka ninja-related medicine companies. Even today, Koka has numerous medicine manufacturers.488 views
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488 views
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The Gun turret was a part of the main gunnery system of Battleship Mutsu and was transferred to Imperial Naval Academy for use as a study aide in 1935.488 views
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487 views
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Path to Gifu Castle tower487 views
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Iga-Ueno Ninja Festa poster487 views
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The outstretched left hand symbolizes tranquility and world peace.486 views
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Old Tokyo Station sign on the Yaesu side (old Daimaru Dept. Store).486 views
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The Koka Ninja House also has a Shuriken Dojo. Pay 200 yen for five shuriken throwing stars (300 yen for 10) and try hitting the bull's eye.486 views
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Road to Himeji Castle. From Himeji Station, the main road leads to the castle which can be seen in the distance.485 views
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485 views
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Castle wall to climb on.485 views
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They wore wooden geta clogs with flippers which helped them propel themselves underwater. The wooden floating ring is collapsible and quite light. Almost like balsa.485 views
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Musashimaru's final dohyo-iri ends484 views
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484 views
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Shelf for beckoning cats, maneki neko. Gotokuji temple, Setagaya, Tokyo.484 views
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Contrary to popular belief, ninja cannot walk on water. "Mizugumo" means water spider. To move across water, they used a wooden floating ring shown here, and sat in the middle.484 views
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From the Kyoto Imperial Palace, the procession proceeds on main roads to Heian Shrine.484 views
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