MA’s pix from Japan

April 18, 2016
2 Comments
a fuzzy pic, but here are some sibs practicing baseball, which the folks in Fukuoka love.
a fuzzy pic, but here are some sibs practicing baseball, which the folks in Fukuoka love.

now this gal shows my level of athletic prowess!

now this gal shows my level of athletic prowess!

bride on her wedding day in Fukuoka, Japan
bride on her wedding day in Fukuoka, Japan
walker in Fukuoka, wearing mask; despite lots of bicycle use, pollution and pollen result in lots of masks.
walker in Fukuoka, wearing mask; despite lots of bicycle use, pollution and pollen result in lots of masks.
performer at a local fair in Fukuoka behind the City Hall
performer at a local fair in Fukuoka behind the City Hall
we saw lots of characters like this one while in Japan - very entertaining and fun to watch
we saw lots of characters like this one while in Japan – very entertaining and fun to watch
requests for prayers at the Buddhist temple in Shimizu, Japan
requests for prayers at the Buddhist temple in Shimizu, Japan
At Kamakura (outside Tokyo) we saw the Great Buddha, and young ladies in traditional dress who joined others worshipping before Buddha
At Kamakura (outside Tokyo) we saw the Great Buddha, and young ladies in traditional dress who joined others worshipping before Buddha
a monk at Kamakura lights incense before the Great Buddha
a monk at Kamakura lights incense before the Great Buddha
more young ladies in traditional dress at Kamakura
more young ladies in traditional dress at Kamakura
the traditional dress calls for lovely flowers in the hair
the Great Buddha himself, at Kamakura, Japan
the Great Buddha himself, at Kamakura, Japan
a screen we saw at the Neputa Village, in Otaru, Japan. This is a village of traditional woodworkers, silk and embroidery artists, makers of parade floats, lacquer wood artisans and others
a screen we saw at the Neputa Village, in Otaru, Japan. This is a village of traditional woodworkers, silk and embroidery artists, makers of parade floats, lacquer
wood artisans and others
the Japanese make beautiful lanterns and this one we enjoyed at a Sake brewery in Otaru, Japan
the Japanese make beautiful lanterns and this one we enjoyed at a Sake brewery in Otaru, Japan
we visited another Buddhist temple (this one is Aomori, Japan), and we saw that the statues were wearing red, as a symbol of joy
we visited another Buddhist temple (this one is Aomori, Japan), and we saw that the statues were wearing red, as a symbol of joy
In Aomori we saw the Hirosako Castle, which housed the powerful Shogunate for many years (leader of the Samurai class); weeping cherry trees were just about to bloom near the castle. We also saw lots of wooden bridges over moats surrounding the castle - easier to burn them if invaders were approaching!
In Aomori we saw the Hirosako Castle, which housed the powerful Shogunate for many years (leader of the Samurai class); weeping cherry trees were just about to bloom near the castle. We also saw lots of wooden bridges over moats surrounding the castle – easier to burn them if invaders were approaching!
a banner for the Shizuoka Prefecture Museum of Art, where we saw Japanese impressionist paintings, lovely screens and wood blocks, and a very extensive collection of Rodin sculptures
a banner for the Shizuoka Prefecture Museum of Art, where we saw Japanese impressionist paintings, lovely screens and wood blocks, and a very extensive collection of Rodin sculptures
2 Thinkers
2 Thinkers
Rodin's Gates of Hell
Rodin’s Gates of Hell
another Rodin - totally resonates with how we feel sometimes!
another Rodin – totally resonates with how we feel sometimes!

Rodin's Burghers of Calais - one view (there are 57 castings of this sculpture in existence)

Rodin’s Burghers of Calais – one view (there are 57 castings of this sculpture in existence)

Burghers of Calais - another view
Burghers of Calais – another view