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Nikon model in PIE 20057165 views
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Yuka-chan, A.B.S.UNIDOS DO URBANA based in Nagoya at Asakusa Samba 2006.7026 views
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Daihatsu5621 views
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Pumping (or humping) the...5393 views
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Belly dancer at Yushima Tenjin Plum Blossom Festival, Tokyo.5205 views
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The 26th Asakusa Samba Carnival was held on Aug. 26, 2006. Some 4,500 members from 33 troupes paraded from 1:30 pm to 6 pm. About 500,000 people were on hand to watch.5052 views
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Asakusa Samba Carnival4925 views
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Asakusa Samba Carnival4897 views
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Pentax model4556 views
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Riding it...4325 viewsObviously I have better shots of her with her cute face showing and both arms in the air, but I'm not one to embarass people...
It has been scientifically proven that sex is good for your health and beauty.
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The festival is wildly popular with people from overseas.4223 viewsThe shrine had various phallus props to pose with.
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Yuka-chan, A.B.S.UNIDOS DO URBANA based in Nagoya at Asakusa Samba 2008.4016 views
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Model for Canon Kiss Digital N3972 views
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Oiran courtesan. Also see my photos of an oiran show here. My oiran video at YouTube here.3970 viewsThe highest-ranking geisha is called an oiran or tayu. She is escorted by two little attendant girls called kamuro. Notice her high clogs. It takes some skill to walk in those and she usually requires someone's shoulder to hold onto while walking. Sometimes at festivals or special events, you can see the Oiran Dochu procession where she walks in a parade together with geisha attendants.
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Licking it...3965 viewsLook at that tongue...
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Golden Girl3955 views
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Ooohhh, ecstasy...3937 viewsNah, just joking. She was actually just embarassed and spontaneously covered her face with a giggle. Obviously I have better shots of her with her cute face showing, but I'm not one to embarass people... Boy, I wish I took a video clip of this scene.
Actually, what happened is that a guy sat on this black penis before she did, and she saw that. So she imitated and sat on it too. Her female friend was taking her picture. Later they switched places and her friend, who was wearing a skirt and red net stockings, sat on it and posed for pictures.
Notice the zigzag white paper streamers. They indicate something which is sacred. So this penis is sacred, possessing a divine spirit. I can believe this because it draws so many people to it. It definitely has divine power. I mean it made this girl sit on it right?
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Dickhead hat. Actually, I don't know what they call it, but that's what I call it.3907 views
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Carving daikon. Anybody can join in and carve. 大根削り3805 viewsLater to be auctioned off.
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Now this is a work of art. Bid at least 3,000 yen please...3748 viewsA Japanese woman bought this, but no takers for the mochi phallus (also 3,000 yen minimum).
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The bottom of the woman figurine. Naughty, naughty...3734 views
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Lollipop, lollipop, oh lolly-lollipop (pop!)...3717 viewsFrom an old song. These lollipops were selling like hotcakes.
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Carving daikon (old photo). These men were really good at carving the daikon.3696 views
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Yuka-chan, A.B.S.UNIDOS DO URBANA based in Nagoya at Asakusa Samba 2006.3685 views
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Procession maidens pose with wooden penises.3641 views
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Mitsubishi Motors3626 views
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Kawasaki ZZR 1400 ABS motorcycle3593 viewsI looked at her and she smiled.
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Daihatsu SK-Tourer3537 views
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Shimada hairstyle3503 viewsStandard hairstyle for geisha. This a wig.
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Harley-Davidson FLST Heritage Softail3451 viewsWorld premiere of this bike.
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Procession maidens pose with wooden penises. Tagata Shrine Honen Festival3306 views
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It sure reminds you of the James Bond movie, "Goldfinger" where a girl was turned into gold.3112 views
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The Crown Prince, the Emperor, and the Empress on the Emperor's Birthday. They were on the balcony for a whole THREE minutes. I thought they would stay there for at least 10 min. Barely had time to mount my telephoto lens.2802 views
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Rear view2656 views
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Asakusa Samba Carnival2639 views
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Painting inside Kanayama Shrine2636 views
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Daihatsu. I smiled at her, and she smiled back...2618 views
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Shibuya Station, Hachiko statue2597 views
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10:23 am: They wave to the crowd again. From left to right is the Crown Prince, the Emperor, the Empress, and Prince and Princess Akishino.2546 viewsIt was very difficult to get a good shot of them since so many flags were in the way. I had to hold the camera overhead above the flags and shoot almost blindly with my telephoto lens. Luckily, I managed to get a few decent closeup shots.
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Daihatsu2535 views
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Sake flask2533 views
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2527 views
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Yuka-chan, A.B.S.UNIDOS DO URBANA based in Nagoya at Asakusa Samba 2006.2462 views
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Oiran Dochu Procession, Tokyo Jidai Matsuri2439 views
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2. Sumidagawa (Sumida River)2436 views
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Forging a steel phallus (old photo)2414 viewsThe demon living in the vagina of the women bit the man's phallus each time. So one guy made a steel phallus and the demom broke his teeth.
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Carving daikon. Since some activities are conducted on the ground, the festival is also called Jibeta (Ground) Matsuri.2398 viewsOnce upon a time, the festival was still mostly a local event with much fewer people.
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"Blue Ocean Waves" (青海波)2394 viewsThey performed four numbers. This first one was called "Blue Ocean Waves" performed by five geisha.
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1. Fuji Murasaki (Purple Wisteria)2377 viewsDancer's name is Maiko 舞子
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Lollipops2348 views
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Otaru, Japan (July 4, 2006) - Fireworks burst off the coast of Otaru, during a 4th of July celebration for the officers and Sailors of the Kitty Hawk (CV 63) Carrier Strike Group. 2340 viewsOtaru, Japan (July 4, 2006) - Fireworks burst off the coast of Otaru, during a 4th of July celebration for the officers and Sailors of the Kitty Hawk (CV 63) Carrier Strike Group. Visitors from the Otaru area were invited aboard to join in an Independence Day reception, which included food, drinks and music. While in port Sailors will have a chance to sightsee, shop, enjoy recreational activities and participate in community relation projects. Currently in port, Kitty Hawk demonstrates power projection and sea control as the U.S. Navy's only forward-deployed aircraft carrier. U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Thomas J. Holt (RELEASED)
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Lyrics of Kibo no Fune--Uminoko Shukoka (Ship of Hope--Lake Child Cruise Song). They created a song just for the boat in 1984. 希望の船--湖の子周航歌2337 viewsThis is the 1st verse:
朝もやはれて さわやかに
さざ波光る びわのうみ
ぼくらわたしら 滋賀の子が
湖上たのしく めぐりつつ
郷土の知識 たかめあう
希望の船よ 希望の船よ
湖の子よ
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2313 views
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2277 views
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The phallus is a symbol for themes of fertility.2226 views
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Standing room only at Wakamiya Shrine2219 views
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A geisha/geiko and maiko head to the theater to see the Kamogawa Odori. Notice the different obi sash on the back.2216 viewsA maiko is an apprentice geisha. Her obi sah on the back is long, as well as her sleeves.
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Kagurazaka geisha dance2206 views
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Kanayama Jinja Shrine is a small shrine within the grounds of the Wakamiya Hachimangu Shrine near Kawasaki Daishi Station. On the first Sun. of April, it holds this now-famous Kanamara Festival nicknamed the Phallus or Fertility Festival. 2165 viewsFestival starts at 11 am. But a large crowd was already there well before that time. Entrance to shrine on the day of the Kanamara Festival. (If you're below age 18, please leave now.)
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Praying at Bishamon2152 views
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Nude woman lying down2146 views
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Prayers to the Kanamara-bune mikoshi かなまら舟神輿2145 viewsBefore the portable shrine is taken out to be paraded around town, the god of the shrine must be transferred to it. This is what the head priest is doing.
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Male and female lollipops (mass produced). Cute, but we all prefer the real thing, right?2086 views
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Kagurazaka geisha dance2081 views
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10:22 am: The Emperor speaks. When the Emperor spoke, the crowd immediately fell silent and all the flags stopped waving. He spoke for only about a minute, thanking us for celebrating his birthday and mentioning this past year's numerous natural disas2066 viewsAfter he finished, everyone waved the flags again and cheered.
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Nose job2057 viewsI didn't see this among the souvenirs being sold. Wonder where he got it.
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2050 views
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The oiran courtesan is escorted by two little girls called kamuro. 花の吉原おいらん道中2024 views
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Geisha chocolate ゲイシャ チョコ2023 viewsSome years ago, when a Finnish friend visited Japan and gave me this Geisha chocolate from Finland, I was very amused. Why in the world did they name it "geisha??" It's milk chocolate with a soft hazelnut filling.
Then when I went to Finland, I was surprised to see this chocolate brand almost everywhere. It's made by a company called Fazer, and when you look at their Web site, they explain in Finnish why they named it "geisha." (Wish I could read it.) The logo on the packaging uses a nice drawing of a geisha. But at the company's Web site, they have a wallpaper gallery showing a real human modeling as an obviously fake geisha.
No offense to the company, the model, makeup artist, and chocolate, but she is one of the worse-looking geisha models I've ever seen. Egad!! She might even be a man.
Take a look: http://www.fazermakeiset.fi/ Click on the Geisha button, then click on the fourth candy from the top to see the wallpaper.
After careful analysis, I know why Fazer's geisha looks so awful: Her fake wig is way too high above her ears. It's too small or too short for her (or his) head. The wig was probably for a young girl. See this photo and compare. They should stick to the cartoon logo instead.
この「Geisha」チョコはフィンランドに大人気。何故そう名付けたか分かりませんが（フィンランド語の説明がある）、数年前に初めてフィンランドの友人からもらったとき爆笑だった。そしてフィンランドへ初めて行ってこのGeishaチョコがどこでもあって驚きました。
Fazerという会社が作っていてHPを見るとなんと人間の「ゲイシャ」のモデルさんも登場している。このゲイシャのモデルもとても見苦しい。よく見ると、その桂が小さ過ぎて（または高すぎる）耳が丸見えてとても変な感じ。
HP: http://www.fazermakeiset.fi/
Geishaのボタンをクリックして、上から４番目のキャンデイをクリックするとそのモデルの壁紙がでる。いかがでしょうか。
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Out of all the geisha that have appeared on postcards, this ever-smiling geisha was unsurpassed in popularity. Her smiling visage appeared in 40 to 50 different poses in photographs and postcards made in Yokohama from the 1890s.2012 views
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2004 viewsHer big round eyes makes her look like a real doll.
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Elizabeth portable shrine エリザベス神輿2003 viewsBefore the portable shrine is taken out to be paraded around town, the god of the shrine must be transferred to it. This is what the head priest is doing.
There are three portable shrines (called mikoshi). The Kanamara mikoshi (the original portable shrine), Kanamara-bune mikoshi (shaped like a boat), and Elizabeth mikoshi (pink giant). All three are carried during a procession around town. The Elizabeth mikoshi is carried by she-males. ("New half" in Japanese. Go ahead and laugh if you want.)
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1973 views
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Kunoichi female ninja guide1952 views
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The second portable shrine and main attraction. It is 2.5 meters (13 feet) long, 60 cm diameter, and weighs about 300 kg. It takes 10 days to carve it from a cypress log.1942 views
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1907 views
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Sumo match with kids1890 viewsA retirement ceremony for an important sumo wrestler includes a variety of activities besides the actual ceremony of cutting away the topknot. It involves almost the entire Japan Sumo Association, and most wrestlers in the top three divisions (Makushita, Juryo, and Makunouchi) also appear in exhibition matches.
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Oiran Dochu Procession. This is definitely the highlight of the festival, and my favorite part of the festival. 花の吉原おいらん道中1883 views
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YOKOSUKA, Japan (Sept. 23, 2007) - Rear Adm. Jamie Kelly, commander of Naval Forces Japan, speaks to a tour group aboard USS Kitty Hawk (CV 63) during a Friends and Family Cruise.1879 viewsYOKOSUKA, Japan (Sept. 23, 2007) - Rear Adm. Jamie Kelly, commander of Naval Forces Japan, speaks to a tour group aboard USS Kitty Hawk (CV 63) during a Friends and Family Cruise. Kitty Hawk brought aboard more than 2,200 American and Japanese guests for a day cruise, which included an air demonstration and shipboard tours. U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Dylan Butler (RELEASED)
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Male and female made of mochi (1000 yen)1874 views
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Packed path to Wakamiya Hachimangu Shrine1856 views
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Two of the portable shrines ready to go. In Japanese, the festival is nicknamed "Chinko Matsuri" (Phallus Festival) ちんこ祭り.1840 viewsThere are three portable shrines (called mikoshi). The Kanamara mikoshi (the original portable shrine), Kanamara-bune mikoshi (shaped like a boat), and Elizabeth mikoshi (pink giant). All three are carried during a procession around town. The Elizabeth mikoshi is carried by she-males. ("New half" in Japanese. Go ahead and laugh if you want.)
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Prayers to the Kanamara Boat portable shrine かなまら舟神輿 神輿御霊入れ式1839 viewsBefore the portable shrine is taken out to be paraded around town, the god of the shrine must be transferred to it. This is what the head priest is doing.
There are three portable shrines (called mikoshi). The Kanamara mikoshi (the original portable shrine), Kanamara-bune mikoshi (shaped like a boat), and Elizabeth mikoshi (pink giant). All three are carried during a procession around town. The Elizabeth mikoshi is carried by she-males. ("New half" in Japanese. Go ahead and laugh if you want.)
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1. Fuji Murasaki (Purple Wisteria) by Kagurazaka geisha1838 views
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1835 views
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The original exhibit showed a much more horrific faces and disfigurement with peeling skin down to their knees at least. I heard that they didn't want to make it too scary for children. Too bad.1822 views
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Prayers to the Elizabeth portable shrine エリザベス神輿1821 viewsBefore the portable shrine is taken out to be paraded around town, the god of the shrine must be transferred to it. This is what the head priest is doing.
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1808 views
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1771 views
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Houkago Princess performing at Kanda Myojin Shrine for Setsubun.1769 views
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Procession maidens pose with the giant penis. The giant phallus was then partially hidden by the portable shrine as it is today. But this made the phallus become larger to 2.5 meters, as if to compensate for this partial shielding.1745 views
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About the Sacred horse (pony).1735 views
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1724 views
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"Boat tail" of a 1972 Buick Riviera. They long stopped making cars like this.1714 views
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3. Edo no Nigiwai (Liveliness of Edo)1695 views
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1684 views
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Belly dancer at Fukushima Waraji Matsuri.1683 views
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1. Fuji Murasaki (Purple Wisteria)1679 views
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Shibuya Station, Hachiko statue1678 views
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1667 views
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Senbei crackers1662 views
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Ninja disguises1658 views
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Nagasaki photos by Yosuke Yamahata 山端庸介が原爆投下翌日の写真を撮った1653 viewsYosuke Yamahata was an Imperial Army photographer who was ordered to go to Nagasaki to photograph the after effects of the atomic bomb. He and two others, a writer and an artist, arrived in Nagasaki the morning after the bomb was dropped. Yamahata went on to capture over 100 extraordinary images of the devastation, people who survived, people helping the wounded, and the inevitable corpses.
山端庸介（1917−66）は陸軍報道カメラマンとして原爆投下翌日の長崎に入り，100枚以上の非常に貴重な歴史的の写真を撮った。長崎原爆資料館にも大きく展示されている。
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Ninja costumes1640 views
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1. Fuji Murasaki (Purple Wisteria)1632 views
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Such distinctive styling. It's such a huge car, with only two doors.1614 views
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10:20 am: The Emperor and Empress appear right on time on his birthday. As soon as they appeared, people waved paper flags and cheered "banzai!" Also see the video at YouTube.1613 viewsIt was an amazing spectacle. I always saw it on TV, but this was the first time I saw it in person. I wish I went when Emperor Hirohito was still living.
From left to right is Princess Nori, the Crown Prince, the Emperor, the Empress, and Prince and Princess Akishino. Crown Princess Masako did not appear due to illness.
I also once used this shot for the cover photo on my home page.
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Japanese gun at Suomenlinna 明治時代の日本海軍の大砲1610 viewsWe were surprised to hear that Suomenlinna had a cannon from Japan. The Suomenlinna Visitor Center had a map in English called "The Guns of Suomenlinna" with all the cannons and guns listed (over 100), including the Japanese gun.
However, there was no explanation of the Japanese gun, and no one at the Visitor Center knew the history behind the Japanese gun. And I could not find any books in the Visitor Center gift shop that explained about the gun, like how in the world it got to Finland and Suomenlinna from faraway Japan.
But after returning to Japan, I did some reading and found out interesting things about it. On the Web, I found a few Japanese sites (but none in English) that mention this gun, and I found only one Web site with a picture of the gun. So I'm happy to show better pictures of the gun as well as an explanation in English.
This is what I found out so far:
The gun was made at Kure Naval Arsenal in Hiroshima Prefecture in 1898. (This can be confirmed by the inscription on the gun.) Kure was a major navy base.
After the Russo-Japanese War in 1904-05, Japan exported this gun to Russia. Before World War I broke out in 1914, Russia placed this 120mm-caliber gun on the coast to help defend the Gulf of Finland and St. Petersburg (or Petrograd as it was known during WWI) from possible attack by Germany. (Finland during this time was part of the Russian empire.)
After the Russian Bolshevik Revolution of 1917, Finland seized the opportunity and declared itself as an independent country which was approved by Russia. It thereby inherited this Japanese gun positioned in the former Russian territory now under Finnish control. For coastal defense, Finland used this gun as left by the Russians.
On Nov. 30, 1939, the Soviet Union attacked Finland with the intent to conquer it by the end of the year and make it a buffer state against hostile Nazi Germany. This started the Winter War with Finland which lasted until March 1940.
Although Finland's forces were greatly outnumbered by the Soviets, their guerrilla tactics and the severe winter inflicted heavy Soviet casualties. One major battlefront was near a small Finnish town called Taipale on the northwestern shore of Lake Ladoga near St. Petersburg. Taipale had two Finnish batteries, one of which was at Järisevä on the lakeshore, where the Japanese gun was stationed. (I'm not sure how the gun got to Taipale, whether the Russians had put it there from the beginning or whether the Finns moved it there from Finland's coast.)
Taipale was not too far from the border with the Soviet Union and was at the mouth of a small river called Taipaleenjoki. By Dec. 6, the Soviets from the southwest advanced far enough to reach the river on the side opposite of Taipale. What looked to be a piece of cake for the Soviets turned out to be a bloody battle lasting 3 months. The Finns proved to be ferocious fighters.
By Feb. 19, 1940, the Soviets finally started to make headway into the Finnish line of defense, called the Mannerheim Line that partially straddled along the Taipaleenjoki River, with heavy air and ground attacks. It was also the day when they attacked Taipale from both the east and west.
The west flank faced the ice on Lake Lagoda over which the Soviets marched, only to meet with artillery fire from the Järisevä battery on the lake shore. With the help of the damaged Japanese gun, the Finns destroyed two Soviet tanks and kept firing until they ran out of ammunition. The Soviet attack on Taipale from the west thus ended in failure, and the attack from the eastern flank was also futile. The lake ice was littered with dead Soviet soldiers. At the end of the war, the Finns carried their beloved Japanese gun back to Finnish territory even though it was damaged beyond repair.
Although Taipale never fell to the Soviets during battle, Finland was forced to cede the town and the entire region around northern Lake Ladoga (plus some territory in northeast Finland) to the Soviets in accordance with the Moscow Peace Treaty that ended the Winter War on March 12, 1940. These concessions understandably upset many Finns. Thousands of Finnish lives had been lost fighting for territory that was later handed over to the Soviets in peace. The ceded area was also Finland's industrial center and cradle of Finnish (Karelian) culture. The peace lasted only for about a year until both countries again fought each other during the Continuation War during June 1941 to September 1944.
Here's a little more background info about the gun researched by my friend Ronny Rönnqvist and edited by me:
Specifications
The gun is a derivative of the British 4.7 inch/40 (120mm/12cm) Amstrong-Elswick Naval/Coastal Gun, developed in the 1880s. The gun was manufactured under license in Japan by the Kure Naval Arsenal and used on Japanese cruisers of the late 1800s / early 1900s and later as a coastal defence gun.
In Japan the gun is known as Meiji 31st Year Type (120/41A) Kaigun Ho. (As inscribed on the gun in Japanese.) Some guns might have been taken by the Russians already during the Russo-Japanese war, but Japan also later on sold a quantity of these guns to Russia.
History
This particular gun in Suomenlinna is very famous in Finland. It belonged to 8 guns of this type left by the Russian Army in Finland after the War of liberation in 1917-18 when Finland won its independence. These guns were then used as coastal defence guns in various locations.
During the final days of the Winter War in 1940, the Fort of Järisevä in the Finnish town of Taipale on the western shore of Lake Ladoga (now in Russian territory near St. Petersburg) was defended by two such guns. In February only this gun was working when a Russian batallion approached over the lake ice on Feb. 19, 1940.
The gun had been hit and damaged (see the crack on the side of the barrel), but could be barely repaired in time in order to fire at the approaching enemy. By direct aiming and firing the gun with a hammer and although the barrel was badly damaged, the crew succeeded in hitting the tank leading the attack by the 6th shot. Thereby the Russian battalion withdrew and Taipale was saved.
The gun therefore became very famous and was taken to Finland and eventually moved to Suomenlinna to have a place of honour in front of the Coastal Artillery Museum where it is located today.
There were many more Japanese guns used by Finland, all left by the Russian Army in 1918:
- 75 mm mountain gun type 75 VK 98
- light 47mm coastal gun type 47/30
- heavy 150 mm hoowitzer type 150H 14 J ( J for Japan ! )
- a large quantity of Arisaka rifles
But none got as famous as this gun at Suomenlinna!
スオメンリンナには、なんと明治時代の日本海軍の大砲も設置してありました。日本からロシアへ輸出されたそうです。そしてロシアから独立国になって大砲がそのままフィンランドのものになった。
1939-40年のソ連との冬戦争中にラゴダ湖岸にあるタイパレ村にフィンランド軍がこの痛んだ大砲でソ連の部隊に発砲して一台の戦車を大破してソ連の攻撃が失敗に終わった。これで一躍有名になった大砲がスオメンリンナの栄誉な場所に移動された。ロシアから譲った他の日本製の砲もあったそうですが、この砲が一番歴史的で有名。
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Prayers to the Elizabeth portable shrine エリザベス神輿1598 viewsBefore the portable shrine is taken out to be paraded around town, the god of the shrine must be transferred to it. This is what the head priest is doing.
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1592 views
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Demure-looking woman figurine looks deceiving until you look at the bottom...1573 views
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Shrine banners and cherries in full bloom1571 viewsThe red banner says "Kanayama Jinja" with an phallus (erect) logo on the top.
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Native clothing of Nenets tribe ネネッツ族の衣類1561 viewsThe Nenets tribe live in the polar region of northwestern Siberia in Russia. They are Arctic reindeer pastoralists with huge herds of reindeer. Their faces look Asian or Mongoloid.
This exhibit of Nenets clothing (made of reindeer skin/fur) was presented by Markku and Johannes Lehmuskallio and Anastasia Lapsui who studied and filmed the Nenets and other tribes.
They brought a whole load of other exhibits (see next image) to Kuusamo Hall.
ホールのロビーに写真以外にもいろいろの展示物があった。これは、シベリアにいるネネッツ族の衣類。ほとんどトナカイの毛皮で作られている。
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1554 views
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Maiden poses with the giant penis. In the past, the phallus was attached to a straw effigy of a warrior, but it was deemed too raunchy and discontinued.1546 views
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People line up to rub the sacred balls. Penis rock in the foreground.1540 views
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The biggest taiko drum festival in the Kanto region is held annually in April. Various taiko drum troupes perform for two full days on various outdoor stages in Narita, including the main stage in front of the Narita-san temple.1539 views
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Elizabeth portable shrine was donated by a drag queen club called Elizabeth Kaikan in Kameido, Tokyo.1539 viewsThere are three portable shrines (called mikoshi). The Kanamara mikoshi (the original portable shrine), Kanamara-bune mikoshi (shaped like a boat), and Elizabeth mikoshi (pink giant). All three are carried during a procession around town. The Elizabeth mikoshi is carried by she-males. ("New half" in Japanese. Go ahead and laugh if you want.)
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The shrine's head priest transfers the deity to the Kanamara Boat portable shrine (boat-shaped loaded with a phallus) かなまら舟神輿1525 viewsBefore the portable shrine is taken out to be paraded around town, the god of the shrine must be transferred to it. This is what the head priest is doing.
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Film of Hannu Hautala ハンヌ・ハウタラ氏1504 viewsOn Friday September 16, it was Hannu Hautala night. It started with a film of Hannu at work in the wilderness. The film was beautifully accompanied by Heikki Sarmanto whose piano-playing reacted spontaneously to the film as he watched it.
ハンヌ・ハウタラ氏は、フィンランドの一番有名なネィチャー写真家。クーサモ在住。まず、ハウタラ氏の仕事ぶりを紹介する短い映画が上映した。BGMはライブのピアノ。
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Oiran Dochu Procession1503 views花の吉原おいらん道中
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Brothel maids or prostitutes. Maids were employed to guide patrons to their rooms and serve sake and food. Or they could be low-class (cheap) prostitutes. Hand-colored, undivided back.1502 views
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Penis prayers1494 viewsThis penis monument (built in 1995 by a steel company) is next to Kanayama Shrine. This person praying is a Caucasian man, not a woman. I was aghast when he stood up and showed his manly face. His long blond hair made me think he was a woman...
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Samurai armor with matchlock gun bullet holes.1474 viewsCreated by an experiment with matchlock gun fired at the body armor at over 50 meters aways, piercing both the front and back body armor.
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White weeping cherry blossoms1472 views
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1. Fuji Murasaki (Purple Wisteria)1450 views
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Okinawan Kimono1449 viewsOkinawa is a chain of subtropical islands in southern Japan between Kyushu and Taiwan. It developed its own language and culture while it was an independent kingdom centuries ago. Okinawan kimono, hairstyles, and dances therefore look quite different from the rest of Japan.
On the left is an Okinawan dancer wearing a kimono with her right arm exposed outside the sleeve. The dance is called "Nuchibana" (flower lei) featuring a string of red and white flowers. The dance expresses the feelings of a young woman in love.
The dancer on the right is wearing an Okinawan kimono called the bingata, perhaps Okinawa's most famous kimono. The design is made by applying dyes through a stencil. It was originally worn by Okinawa's royal family members. It is now the costume of a slow-moving Okinawan dance called "Yotsudake."
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Kamogawa Odori Geisha Dance, Kyoto1443 viewsA scene from the annual Kamogawa Odori dance held in May in Kyoto. She wears a multi-layer kimono whose colors contrast well with each other. This type of kimono was worn by the nobility.
See more photos of this dance here.
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Snip by Yokozuna Asashoryu and a symbolic passing of the baton from one foreign yokozuna to the next (and only) foreign yokozuna.1438 viewsMongolia's Golden Age of Sumo has begun.
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Yuka-chan, A.B.S.UNIDOS DO URBANA based in Nagoya at Asakusa Samba 2008.1433 views
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Waving the sacred sakaki branch to bless all of us1432 views
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1972 Buick Riviera1432 views
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"Hana no Kai" Dance by Kagurazaka geisha1430 viewsThe "Hana no Kai" geisha dance is held annually by geisha in Kagurazaka, one of Tokyo's major geisha districts. "Hana" means livley or gaudy. And "Kai" can mean gathering or party.
They held two shows on the same day. This was the second show starting at 3 pm on April 16, 2005. It lasted till about 4:45 pm.
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1. Fuji Murasaki (Purple Wisteria)1418 views
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Kanayama Shrine altar offerings1410 viewsNotice the male and female mochi offering.
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Costume Player1408 viewsPurin from Pokemon.
See more photos of cosplayers here.
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1401 views
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Banner with ukiyoe shunga-style painting of a penis.1398 views
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Asakusa Samba Carnival1394 views
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A representative of the shrine parishioners offer prayers.1393 views
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1. Fuji Murasaki (Purple Wisteria)1380 views
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It might look light brown here, but it looks more pinkish. It is carved in winter from a hinoki cypress tree by a master artisan wearing ceremonially-purified clothing and using traditional tools.1365 views
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Also watch my Karuta hajime video here.1360 views
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Eight Views of Tatsumi (巽八景）1357 viewsThe second number was about the Tatsumi and Monzen-nakacho (Fukagawa) district in Koto Ward, Tokyo. The dance reflects the chic and bravado of the area (in the old days) which was one of Tokyo's gay quarters with geisha as well.
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YOKOSUKA, Japan (Sept. 25, 2008) Sailors aboard the aircraft carrier USS George Washington (CVN 73) form the phrase "Hajimemashite," which means "Nice to meet you" in Japanese, as they arrive at Fleet Activities Yokosuka.1355 viewsYOKOSUKA, Japan (Sept. 25, 2008) Sailors aboard the aircraft carrier USS George Washington (CVN 73) form the phrase "Hajimemashite," which means "Nice to meet you" in Japanese, as they arrive at Fleet Activities Yokosuka, Japan. George Washington and Carrier Air Wing 5 will be operating from Fleet Activities Yokosuka as the U.S. Navy's only forward-deployed aircraft carrier. U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Clifford L. H. Davis (Released)
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Pubic hair not included. Perhaps that's why it doesn't look so obscene.1354 views
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1349 views
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Plum Blossom Queen at Kairakuen Station1342 viewsShe was passing out maps of the garden. It was a nice touch to see two of these kimono beauties greeting us.
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Maid with paws...1342 views
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Finnish Museum of Photography フィンランド写真美術館の展示室1338 viewsLarge, impressive space. The bookshop also had a good collection of photo books.
相当広いスペースです。一階だけですが、いくつかの展示部屋が仕切っていた。
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Kanamara Boat portable shrine (boat-shaped loaded with a phallus) was donated by a steel company. かなまら舟神1330 viewsThere are three portable shrines (called mikoshi). The Kanamara mikoshi (the original portable shrine), Kanamara-bune mikoshi (shaped like a boat), and Elizabeth mikoshi (pink giant). All three are carried during a procession around town. The Elizabeth mikoshi is carried by she-males. ("New half" in Japanese. Go ahead and laugh if you want.)
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Finnish Museum of Photography フィンランド写真美術館1326 viewsIt is in a complex called the Cable Factory since it used to be a cable factory. The photo museum is housed in the large building on the left. The museum even once held a Japanese photography exhibition in 2001 which had traveled from Sweden. They still had the exhibition catalog in stock so I bought one.
The complex also houses other cultural facilities like dance theaters and art galleries.
Web site: fmp.fi
元のケーブル生産工場が現在美術・文化施設となっている。2001年にスウェーデンから来た日本の写真展も開催された。その図録が館内のショップでまだ販売されて一冊買った。
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Palanquin maidens.1325 views
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Kanamara Festival かなまら祭1321 viewsKawasaki, Kanagawa.
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Even Santa Claus came (from Finland??). I'm told that they might be Finns. (Santa is from Finland.)1318 views
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Ouran High School Host Club1312 views
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Art work on the cart1310 views
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Hula kahiko started with a chant. ショーは夜の8:45〜9:45、フラカヒコで始まった。8月5日の第三の夜は雷雨のため中止となった。これらの写真は４日と６日に撮影。毎晩、ちょっと違うショーだった1310 views
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An altar in the Iga-ryu Ninja House.1304 views
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This was the only one who had a smile. The others were quite serious and solemn.1303 views
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Male and female made of mochi. Both were offerings at the shrine.1303 views
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Dec. 23, 2004 at 8:30 am: Across the street from the Imperial Palace. Dec. 23 and Jan. 2 are the only two days when the general public is allowed to enter the palace to greet the Emperor and his family.1288 viewsA visit to the Imperial Palace by the general public is called "ippan sanga" in Japanese （一般参賀）.
On the Emperor's birthday, the Imperial Palace can be entered only at certain locations. You have to find out where they are and stand in line there. Just go near the Imperial Palace and ask a policeman where you can stand in line. You otherwise cannot enter the grounds. The huge, graveled plaza where you can see Nijubashi Bridge is closed off by police.
While standing in line here, we received free paper Japanese flags.
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Stockings1277 views
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Edo Geisha, She was the only one with a smile.1270 views
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Yokozuna Musashimaru1267 viewsHis last dohyo-iri.
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Gozensai ceremony before the start of the penis procession. Tagata Shrine Honen Matsuri1266 views
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The star and main focus of the festival and procession, the oiran or tayu courtesan.1264 views
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Lets you escape to the next room instantly, or climb up or down the ladder on the right wall.1264 views
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1972 Buick Riviera, one of my all-time favorites, lowrider or not.1260 views
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Paper plane sculpture1254 views
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1252 viewsNotice that the kimono design shows waves.
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1248 viewsAfter the dance, this geisha posed with us for a picture.
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Musashimaru's final dohyo-iri1247 views
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Plum Blossom Queen1242 views
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Toshi-gami deity of harvests.1239 views
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Hojo Masako worships at Asakusa Temple. 北条政子 浅草寺参拝1236 views
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Yuka-chan, A.B.S.UNIDOS DO URBANA based in Nagoya at Asakusa Samba 2006.1228 views
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Mt. Fuji and Lake Yamanaka1222 views
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悋気しゃんすな1216 viewsSolo number performed by Maiko (her name). 舞子
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1216 views
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Unlike normal kimono, she wears the obi sashi in the front instead of the back. This is so that she can show off her beautiful obi which would otherwise be covered by the uchikake outer garment.1212 views
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Geisha catching a taxi home1207 viewsPhoto by Kevin Mihaly.
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Gozensai prayer ceremony before the start of the procession.1207 views
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Pepper bombs to blind you.1206 views
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Koka Ninja House (Koka-ryu Ninjutsu Yashiki) is the former residence of Mochizuki Izumonokami, the leading Koga ninja family of the 53 Koka ninja families. 望月出雲守 MAP1204 viewsThe house is in its original location in the Koka area of Shiga Prefecture.
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Matsuyama Castle1200 views
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The red cloth is the blood after the demon inside the vagina bit the phallus (Old photo)1197 viewsThis picture was taken in the 1980s.
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Belly dancer at Yushima Tenjin Plum Blossom Festival. Tokyo.1194 views
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1. Kagurazakari 神楽ざかり1193 views
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Shrine maiden1191 views
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Belly dancer at Fukushima Waraji Matsuri.1191 views
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The Ninja House, built in 1703, is owned and maintained by a local medicine company having ninja roots. Many Koka ninja were makers of medicine as a front for their clandestine activities. This background also made them expert at making gunpowder.1188 viewsNot a National Historic Site, but it should be.
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Oiran Dochu Procession. This picture was taken in the 1990s when they had two oiran in the festival. Now they have only one. 花の吉原おいらん道中1187 views
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Mistress Okichi, the infamous mistress of Townsend Harris, America's first ambassador to Japan when he was in Shimoda. Another mistress was provided to Harris' interpreter.1181 viewsOkichi was the infamous mistress of Townsend Harris, America's first ambassador to Japan. Another mistress was provided to Harris' interpreter.
黒船来航・浦賀奉行
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Belly dancer at Yushima Tenjin Plum Blossom Festival. Tokyo.1179 views
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What would a ninja museum be without a display of shuriken?1174 views
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Yokosuka, Japan (Sept. 22, 2005) - Students from Ikego Elementary School, Japan, experience first-hand what it is like to live in ship's berthing during a tour aboard the conventionally powered aircraft carrier USS Kitty Hawk.1172 viewsYokosuka, Japan (Sept. 22, 2005) - Students from Ikego Elementary School, Japan, experience first-hand what it is like to live in ship's berthing during a tour aboard the conventionally powered aircraft carrier USS Kitty Hawk (CV 63). During the tour the students visited the flight deck, forecastle, hangar bay and an unoccupied berthing area while learning about the life of Sailors aboard a U.S. Navy ship. U.S. Navy photo by Photographer's Mate Airman Matthew Reinhardt (RELEASED)
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1171 views
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10:24 am: After 3 min. on the balcony, they were gone. We waited almost 2 hours for a 3-min. appearance. But I think it's something you should do at least once while in Japan.1170 views
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Tekomai geisha costume is partially masculine with trousers instead of skirts. Their right shoulder is "exposed" showing a flower design. They carry a red paper lantern imprinted with their names and use their right hand to drag a wand.1167 views"Asakusa" is written on her lantern. 手古舞
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Sacred Balls. Put in money and rub the left and right ball for family safety, business prosperity, safe childbirth, etc. 珍宝窟1167 views
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1166 views
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Panasonic Lumix girl at CP+ 2011 Camera Show.1163 views
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Entrance for state guests. This is where heads of state and other royalty enter this building.1162 views
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The first demo is this swinging wall.1162 views
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Shibuya Station, Hachiko Exit 渋谷駅 ハチ公口1161 views
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Hula1160 views
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Oiran dances.1160 views
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The chigo parade of bygone days was much longer with a lot more kids. 昔の築地本願寺の花まつり: かなり長い行列でした。1158 views
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Belly dancer at Fukushima Waraji Matsuri.1158 views
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Plum Blossom Queens in Kairakuen, Mito1157 views
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Way to Tagata Shrine from Tagata Jinja-mae Station. Shrine famous for numerous phallic objects used as offerings to the gods. The 1500-year-old shrine worships a deity called Tamahime-no-Mikoto who was a daughter of a powerful local lord from the 5th c.1155 viewsThe Honen-sai or Honen (Hounen) Matsuri is held by Tagata Jinja on March 15 to pray for an abundant harvest. "Honen" literally means "Year of abudant harvest." Since a giant penis is used as an offering, it is popularly called the "penis festival."
The shrine is near Tagata Jinja-mae Station on the Meitetsu Railways' Komaki Line. From Shin-Nagoya Station or Shin-Gifu Station, go to Inuyama Station and transfer to the Komaki Line.
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Inside Kanayama Shrine 金山神社1152 viewsKanayama Shrine is dedicated to a pair of gods named Kanayama Hikonokami and Kanayama Himenokami 金山比古神（かなやまひこのかみ） 金山比売神（かなやまひめのかみ. According to legend, when the main Shinto god named Izanami gave birth to the God of Fire, her lower abdomen got burned. These two Kanayama gods helped to heal her birth wound. Thus, these two gods came to be known as the gods of childbirth and healing of the lower abdomen. They later came to be worshipped as fertility gods, protector of sexually-transmitted diseases (AIDS, etc.), and successful marriage. They are also the gods of bellows (you can see it on the left of the fireplace above), so blacksmiths (who use bellows to fan the fire) also worship this shrine.
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Live orchestra playing swing jazz. 有川新二&ザ・グレイ・ラスカルズオーケストラ「なつかしのスウイングジャズ」1148 views
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Oiran Dochu Procession1145 views
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1144 views
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Lollipops (mass produced)1144 viewsThe wrapping is printed with a prayer for conceiving.
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Great summer day for the beach at Omi-Maiko, one of the most popular and whitest beaches on Lake Biwa.1141 views
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1139 views
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1135 views
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Pregnant women also attend the festival. As well as mothers with a young baby coming to give thanks.1135 views
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Näränkä farmhouse for rent 元牧場の家1134 viewsA farming family used to live here from 1841 to 1970. This was their house. The living conditions were quite severe during winter, but they were self-sufficient. The children had to walk for hours to attend school.
This house has been renovated and it is available for short-term rental. It can accommodate maybe 10-15 people. A sauna is also within the property. It's quite isolated so you have a lot of privacy.
For reservations and more info: http://www.kuusamobirds.net/en/tourism44.php
1841~1970年に農業の家族が住んでいた民家。この家は、リフォームされて短期間に貸し出し用。かなり大きいで１０人以上が泊まれる。勿論、新婚さんも使用できる。サウナも別の建物にある。
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Prayers for a child written on these votive tablets (ema)1134 views
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The Mizugumo Water Spider Pond where you can walk on water. A few visitors, wearing ninja costumes, try it out.1133 views
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Green aura1133 views
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1131 views
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The old Kanayama Shrine1130 views
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Finale1128 views
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Music and singing accompaniment1126 viewsAll numbers was accompanied by live music and singing.
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She-male (or maybe just a drag queen, I couldn't visually or physically confirm)1126 views
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Yuka-chan, A.B.S.UNIDOS DO URBANA based in Nagoya at Asakusa Samba 2006.1123 views
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Sailors aboard the aircraft carrier USS George Washington (CVN 73) man the rails as they arrive at Fleet Activities Yokosuka, Japan.1123 viewsYOKOSUKA, Japan (Sept. 25, 2008) Sailors aboard the aircraft carrier USS George Washington (CVN 73) man the rails as they arrive at Fleet Activities Yokosuka, Japan. George Washington and Carrier Air Wing 5 will be operating from Fleet Activities Yokosuka as the U.S. Navy's only forward-deployed aircraft carrier. U.S. Navy photo Kuji Kawabe (Released)
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Asashoryu sips water offered by Ozeki Chiyotaikai1122 viewsAs soon as Asashoryu entered the arena, many wrestlers went up to him to offer water as a show of respect.
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Ready for the procession1122 views
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Sexy model at CP+ photo show in Yokohama1117 views
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1115 views
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Gozensai ceremony before the start of the procession.1115 views
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All the baby-carrying men must be careful not to slip and fall in the mud. Warabi Hadaka Matsuri in Yotsukaido, Chiba.1113 views
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Kagurazaka Geisha1112 views
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Meiji Era postmarks. When you want to know how old your postcard is, the first and obvious thing to do is check the postmark if there is one. A postage stamp or written date in the message are also a great help.1112 viewsBecause Japan bases its years on the Emperor's reign (besides using the Western world's Gregorian calendar), the year of the postmark could refer to the Meiji Era (1868-1912), Taisho Era (1912-1926), Showa Era (1926-1989), or the current Heisei Era (1989-present). So if you see "1" as the year, it could be Year 1 of any of these eras (1868, 1912, 1926, or 1989). (See the year conversion table.)
So how do you determine which era the year refers to? In normal Japanese documents, you would see an initial before the year to indicate the era. For example H.1 for Heisei Year 1 (1989). Unfortunately, none of the postmarks provide an initial for the era. But it is not so hard to determine the era.
Look at the postmark images above. The left postmark is in Japanese with the numbers "36-9-12." The first number indicates the year, followed by the month and day. Above the date are the kanji characters for "Yokohama." Below the date is the time the postcard was accepted at the post office (6:20 pm).
Fortunately, right next to this postmark is the English version. The date is September 12, 1903. This matches Year 36 for the Meiji Era in the Japanese postmark. (See the year conversion table.) In case the English postmark were not provided, we could still determine the era. If you look at the year coversion table, you will find that only the Meiji and Showa Eras have a Year 36. Showa 36 is 1961. And if you look at the card and the postage stamp, it is obvious that it is not as recent as 1961, so it must be Meiji 36 (1903).
Now look at the right postmark. This postmark is also in English with the words "Yokohama Japan" in English. The date is "25.2.08." If the postmark has the location name in English, the date's format is day-month-Gregorian year, different from the Japanese postmark. So it is February 25, 1908.
Other tidbits about Japanese postmarks:
- In the early years until 1879, postmarks were used to indicate the date of collection and the date of receipt from out of town. Stamp cancellation marks were also separate from postmarks. They could be a series of dotted lines or text like "Postage Paid" (in Japanese). Some postmarks were square in shape. Each postal district had their own postmark system and style.
- In November 1879, the Communications Office issued official recommendations for postmarks. In September 1888, the name of the local area was included in the postmark. By 1909, postmarks became standardized nationwide.
- Up to September 1912, postcards and letters had two postmarks (except for special mail). One was imprinted when the postcard was mailed (canceling the stamp), and another was imprinted when the postcard was received.
- Until 1911, postmarks were imprinted by hand (at a rate of 100 pieces per minute). Automatic postmarking machines were introduced in this year. At the end of 1919, the latest postmarking machines were imported from America and used in Tokyo.
- Stamp collecting is a major hobby in Japan. All the stamps that have ever been issued are documented in a number of comprehensive Japanese stamp catalogs issued every year. You can identify the issue date of any stamp by referring to the stamp catalog.
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Inside 1972 Buick Riviera1109 views
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1106 viewsUnlike geisha dances in Kyoto which have elaborate backgrounds, the background here is quite plain, making us focus on the geisha which were enough eye candy. The background really didn't matter. The dances were very aesthetic and pleasing to the eyes and ears.
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Oiran Dochu Procession1103 views花の吉原おいらん道中
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Hachiman Commercial High School designed by William Merrell Vories in 1935. 八幡商業高等学校 MAP1102 views
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The main Kanamara mikoshi かなまら神輿1100 viewsThere are three portable shrines (called mikoshi). The Kanamara mikoshi (the original portable shrine), Kanamara-bune mikoshi (shaped like a boat), and Elizabeth mikoshi (pink giant). All three are carried during a procession around town. The Elizabeth mikoshi is carried by she-males. ("New half" in Japanese. Go ahead and laugh if you want.)
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1095 views
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Elizabeth mikoshi carried by she-males1081 views
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Nebuta are giant, wire-frame, paper lanterns shaped in various legendary and macho characters.1075 viewsThe Aomori Nebuta Matsuri is held in Aomori City in Aomori Prefecture during Aug. 2-7. Nebuta are giant, wire-frame, paper lanterns shaped in various legendary and macho characters such as samurai warriors, demons, and gods. They are fantastic works of art dramatically illuminated from the inside. The floats are paraded along the main streets of the city near Aomori Station every night of the festival.
From August 2 to 6, the Nebuta parade is held from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. On the 2nd and 3rd, the parade is geared for the many children who participate by pulling the floats. About 15 large Nebuta floats and some small Nebuta floats for the children are paraded.
The festival's peak period is from the 4th to the 6th when over 20 large Nebuta floats make their rounds. Be sure to see the festival on one of these three nights.
On the 7th, the last day, the parade is in the afternoon from 1 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. Later in the evening, the Nebuta floats are put on boats to be highlighted by a fireworks display.
The festival is designated by the government as an Important Intangible Folk Culture Asset and not to be missed if you have the chance. It's well worth the trip up north.
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