Sunday Kimono 29- A myriad of kimonos

Back in pre-social distancing times when I visited Kawagoe (old Edo) so many young girls were dressed in colourful kimono.  It was graduation season, so  not sure if this was normal or part of  special celebrations. 

Happy New Year for 2020

Happy New Year - the Blog ReturnsJapanese welcome the New Year with a big clean out and with New Year ornaments or charms -  shimekazari and kadomatsu - on their doors.  They usually have straw rope, oranges and some fern or greeney.  Here is one on my neighbour's door and one at a nearby hair salon.

The Lucky 5 Yen Coin

Five yen - pronounced go yen - sounds similar to go-en - good fortune.

So a five yen coin denotes good fortune. The coin has a hole in the centre so its easily tied to strings at shrines -at Mt Takao on Sunday - as an offering for good fortune.

Sunday Kimono 5

Three ladies (and a gentleman from last week) out and about in Ginza on a Sunday afternoon.

Sunday Kimono 4

A gentleman in his kimono walking along Ginza.

What to do with Washi Tape

So many patterns, so many colours and designs.  Washi tape is a  Japanese speciality.  It is masking tape used to decorate things - not sure what- but the extent of the washi tape display at Itoya was stunning.

Three Shrines on a Tuesday - Part 2

Kumano Hayatama Taisha

Kumano Hongu Taisha

The deity or "kami" of Shinto shrine is hidden from the world. Each of the Kumano Sanzen had a set of gates, beyond which were other structures . Pilgrims would make an offering(coins) n and ring the bell at each set of gates.

Kumano Nachi Taisha

Festival Feet

Japanese thongs/sandals were the footwear of choice for men at the Sakurashinmachi festival.

Kyu Asakura House- Connecting with the Past

A visit to Kyu Asakura house, in the upmarket neighborhood of Daikanyama, provided a connection to the traditional Japanese architecture and manicured gardens that informed my imagination and expectations of Japan.