Last additions - JAPAN PHOTOS by Philbert Ono

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Last additions - Shibuya-ku 渋谷区

Jun 20, 2017

Gingko trees along the fringe of the park near Yoyogi Koen Station in autumn.Jun 20, 2017

Jun 20, 2017

Gingko trees along the fringe of the park near Yoyogi Koen Station in autumn.Jun 20, 2017

Jun 20, 2017

Gingko trees along the fringe of the park near Yoyogi Koen Station in autumn.Jun 20, 2017

Jun 15, 2017

JR Harajuku Station on the Yamanote LineJun 15, 2017

JR Harajuku Station on the Yamanote Line is the closest station to Meiji Jingu Shrine.Jun 15, 2017

JR Harajuku StationJun 15, 2017

On her legs is a summer pelt of deer fur (muka-baki 行縢). It supposed to cushion any fall from the horse. Fortunately, no one fell off the horse this day.Jun 15, 2017

Jun 15, 2017

Her formal yabusame kimono (yoroi hitatare 鎧直垂) is light blue. Her left side is covered with a black arm guard (igote 射籠手) to make it easier to shoot the arrow. On her left side, she also wears a tachi sword and the shorter dagger (maezashi 前差し). Right above her forearm, you can see a coil of spare bow string (tsurumaki 弦巻).Jun 15, 2017

Jun 15, 2017

Yabusame is much more impressive when you see it in person. The costumes, the speed, and the excitement of seeing the archer hitting the target is just so impressive.Jun 15, 2017

First they used square wooden targets and then these small targets made of ceramic dishes.Jun 15, 2017

This is Matayoshi Akemi (又吉あけ美). Her long, black hair made her stand out as "A woman archer!" as many exclaimed. They had seven horses that are specially trained for yabusame. Each one has a name. The arrows have blunt wooden tips.Jun 15, 2017

The archer shoots at the first target. The second target is in the middle of the track and the third is toward the end of the track.Jun 15, 2017

Jun 15, 2017

Her arm guard bears her family crest and the sleeve's cuff has a dragonfly that is an auspicious symbol for courage and never retreating or running away. (Dragonflies don't fly backwards.)Jun 15, 2017

Jun 15, 2017

Besides the costumes, the saddles and stirrups are very different from western ones.Jun 15, 2017

After all the archers complete their runs, they trot back to the starting point and receive their shot arrows along the way. Each archer's arrows have a unique arrow tip (shape and/or color) so they know which is theirs.They do a few runs and the event lasts for about 2 hours.Jun 15, 2017

There's a 210-meter straight horse track within the shrine's spacious grounds. The track has three targets and each horseback archer gallops at full speed and tries to hit each target with an arrow.Jun 15, 2017

Yabusame is a centuries-old Shinto ceremony to pray for peace in the land and rich harvests. The mounted archery is preceded by a Shinto prayer ceremony. It originated with samurai who had to be skillful mounted archers in medieval battles before guns were introduced.Jun 15, 2017

Delighted to see a few women archers at Meiji Shrine yabusame horseback archery on Nov. 3.Jun 15, 2017

Delighted to see a few women archers too.Jun 15, 2017

These archers belong to the Takeda School of mounted archery. They are based in Miura, Kanagawa where they practice almost weekly. They have about 60 members.Jun 15, 2017

It takes about 20 sec. for the horse to complete the run. It's very difficult for the archer to hit all three targets in a single run, but someone usually does it.Jun 15, 2017

At the start of the horse track, the fan bearer (扇方 ogikata) uses a large fan to signal that the track is clear for the next archer to run.Jun 15, 2017

Jun 15, 2017

Yabusame is one of Japan's hallmark traditional arts and commonly staged for visiting heads of state at Meiji Shrine.Former US president Ulysses Grant saw it with Emperor Meiji at Ueno Park in 1879, Ronald Reagan in 1983 at Meiji Shrine, George W. Bush (with PM Koizumi) at Meiji Shrine in 2001, and Obama (with Caroline Kennedy) at Meiji Shrine in 2014.Jun 15, 2017

Huge crowd. Need to get here early to get a good viewing spot.Jun 15, 2017

The main event was yabusame horseback archery.Jun 15, 2017

Good thing the weather was good. In fact, Nov. 3 in Japan has a fantastic record for fine weather. It rained on this day only twice or so in the past few decades.Jun 15, 2017

Jun 15, 2017

Aikido demonstrationsJun 15, 2017

Diplomat cars for foreign ambassadors attending the yabusame horseback archery at Meiji Shrine on Nov. 3.Jun 15, 2017

Jun 15, 2017

The shrine was undergoing major renovations, especially the roof.Jun 15, 2017

Jun 15, 2017

Meiji Shrine's spanking new torii.Jun 15, 2017

Jun 15, 2017

Chrysanthemum exhibits on the main path to Meiji Shrine.Jun 15, 2017

Jun 15, 2017

Sanbaso dancerJun 15, 2017

Sanbaso dancer (三番叟) who prays for abundant harvests. Featured in Noh and kabuki as well.Jun 15, 2017

Entertainment stage on the way to Meiji Shrine.Jun 15, 2017

A small stage was setup along the main path to Meiji Shrine for traditional performances.Jun 15, 2017

On Nov. 3, 2016, went to see Meiji Shrine's annual Autumn Grand Festival (秋の大祭). Nov. 3 is a national holiday called "Culture Day." It's also the late Emperor Meiji's birthday and originally a national holiday for his birthday.Jun 15, 2017

About the Meiji Shrine's annual Autumn Grand Festival (秋の大祭).Jun 15, 2017

Shibuya CrossingNov 04, 2016

Nov 04, 2016

Peter Pan and TinkerbellNov 04, 2016

Nov 04, 2016

My YouTube video of Halloween in Shibuya 2016.Nov 04, 2016

Nov 04, 2016

One PieceNov 04, 2016

Bunkamura-dori roadNov 04, 2016

For the first time this year, the police wisely closed off a few major roads around Shibuya Station for Halloween. Even then, the road to 109 and Dogenzaka were filled with people. Nov 04, 2016

Shibuya Crossing on Halloween night.Nov 04, 2016

Nov 04, 2016

Lots of sexy costumes too.Nov 04, 2016

The main attraction for these costumers is that they meet other costumers and take photos together. Nov 04, 2016

There's no organizer, no sponsors, no set event time, but it still happens. Just a spontaneous, massive street gathering. Unbelievable.Nov 04, 2016

Ironically, nobody said "trick or treat" and I didn't see anyone giving out Halloween candy. (No one carried candy bags either.) Japan invents its own Halloween (and Valentine's Day). Nov 04, 2016

Halloween costumers and cosplayers of all kinds gathered in Shibuya on on Oct. 31, 2016. Halloween in Japan is fast becoming a major seasonal/commercial event, on par with Valentine's Day. Halloween merchandise has been taking off in Japan.Nov 04, 2016

Actor Toshiro Mifune at Meiji Shrine.Sep 07, 2016

Actor Toshiro Mifune presides over the yabusame horseback archery at Meiji Shrine. The first and last time I saw this living legend in person. He was a student of the Takeda School of mounted archery and still has a close connection with the shrine.I think he donated something for the shrine's yabusame.Sep 07, 2016

Sep 07, 2016

When I saw yabusame at Meiji Shrine for the first time years ago, Mifune Toshiro (center) was still alive and he was there. I think he was the bugyo (master of the yabusame proceedings 奉行).Behind him, you can see a white tarp for VIPs. They were sitting in front of the second target. Many foreign diplomats are invited to this event and they sit here.Sep 07, 2016

Sep 07, 2016

In June, iris garden at Meiji Shrine.Sep 07, 2016

Sep 07, 2016

Sacred dances performed on stage at Meiji Shrine for their spring festival.Sep 07, 2016

Meiji Shrine's torii.Sep 07, 2016

Spring festival in early May.Sep 07, 2016

Throw away old New Year's decorations here.Sep 07, 2016

Sep 07, 2016

Path back to exit to Harajuku Station.Sep 07, 2016

Phone boothSep 07, 2016

Cafe and restaurant on New Year's.Sep 07, 2016

Cafe and restaurantSep 07, 2016

Bunkakan museumSep 07, 2016

Sep 07, 2016

Buying amulets. Sep 07, 2016

Sep 07, 2016

Crowd control and Meiji Shrine.Sep 07, 2016

Sep 07, 2016

Lots of coins that fell short of Meiji Shrine's money pit. People no longer throw money from so far away. They wait until they get to the front.Sep 07, 2016

In the past, police were hired to guard the money pit at Meiji Shrine. They also wore these face protectors to deflect the coins that fall short of the pit.Sep 07, 2016

Sep 07, 2016

Money in the offertory pit on New Year's Day at Meiji Shrine.Sep 07, 2016

People pray in front of the money/offertory pit.Sep 07, 2016

People on my right on New Year's Day at Meiji Shrine.Sep 07, 2016

Main worship hall in front and a large offering pit where you throw money, etc.Sep 07, 2016

People on my left on New Year's Day at Meiji Shrine.Sep 07, 2016

People behind me on New Year's Day at Meiji Shrine.Sep 07, 2016

Sep 07, 2016

Meiji Shrine on New Year's DaySep 07, 2016

Sep 07, 2016

New Year's Day at Meiji Shrine. A total of 3 million people give New Year's prayers (Hatsumode) at Meiji Shrine. Japan's most popular shrine during New Year's.Sep 07, 2016

Shiseikan Dojo (Martial Arts Training Hall)Sep 07, 2016

Sep 07, 2016

Entrance to Treasure Museum.Sep 07, 2016

Sep 07, 2016

Path to the park area.Sep 07, 2016

On the left, there is a gate where you can exit and go to the shrine's park area.Sep 07, 2016

Sep 07, 2016

Amulets, charms, talismanSep 07, 2016

Sep 07, 2016

Chrysanthemum crest is the symbol of the Imperial family.Sep 07, 2016

Sep 07, 2016

Wedding couple on their way to their ceremony inside the shrine with the wedded trees in the foreground.Sep 07, 2016

Wedding couple on their way to their ceremony inside the shrine.Sep 07, 2016

Shrine maidens (miko)Sep 07, 2016

Sep 07, 2016

At Meiji Shrine, a wedding couple is led by a Shinto priests and two shrine maidens.Sep 07, 2016

Meiji Shrine is also popular for holding weddings. On weekends, you can see several couples passing through.Sep 07, 2016

Sep 07, 2016

You can buy a prayer tablet and write your wish/hope/prayer on it and hang it here.Sep 07, 2016

Ema prayer tablets.Sep 07, 2016

The right tree provides shade for many ema prayer tablets.Sep 07, 2016

Two wedded tree trunks (楠) coupled by a sacred rope at Meiji Shrine.Sep 07, 2016

The left tree is actually a couple.Sep 07, 2016

The main worship hall is flanked by these two large trees.Sep 07, 2016

Sep 07, 2016

Meiji Shrine's main worship hall. If you look closely at the wooden pillars, you can see numerous little cuts in the wood made by people throwing coins at the shrine during New Year's.Sep 07, 2016

Sep 07, 2016

Main shrine hall ahead.Sep 07, 2016

Sep 07, 2016

Shinmon Gate 神門Sep 07, 2016

Shrine shop for talisman.Sep 07, 2016

Sep 07, 2016

Last torii before the main shrine.Sep 07, 2016

Sep 07, 2016

Where you wash/purify yourself. TemizuyaSep 07, 2016

Sep 07, 2016

Along here, you may see some outdoor panel displays.Sep 07, 2016

Sep 07, 2016

Second toriiSep 07, 2016

Go left.Sep 07, 2016

Turn left and see another torii.Sep 07, 2016

Sake rice wine.Sep 07, 2016

Across the barrels of wine are barrels of sake rice wine.Sep 07, 2016

Sep 07, 2016

Barrels of French wine offered to the Meiji Shrine because the Meiji Emperor liked wine.Sep 07, 2016

Sep 07, 2016

Meiji Shrine's forest was man-made, not natural.Sep 07, 2016

Meiji Shrine is in a large wooded, park-like area. A wide walking path leads to the shrine. It can be dusty due to the gravel.Sep 07, 2016

Sep 07, 2016

Meiji Shrine toriiSep 07, 2016

The torii gate for Meiji Shrine.Sep 07, 2016

Meiji Shrine is one of Tokyo's major sights. Cross the Bridge over the train tracks.Sep 07, 2016

Meiji Shrine or Meiji Jingu is Tokyo largest and most important Shinto shrine. Dedicated to Emperor Meiji (1852–1912) and Empress Shoken (1849–1914). The most popular shrine during New Year's in Tokyo. It also holds a variety of seasonal events.Sep 07, 2016