2018 – 09: Geothermal

The seismic activities and geothermal events that shaped the Japanese islands are still evident today.

This is the center of Kusatsu, in Gunma prefecture, which is known for its hot springs.

Most people are dressed for the onsen (hot springs bath).

Foot wear is very traditional…

 …and wooden.

Sidewalk vents release the earth’s gas.

This not your traditional town park…

… the babbling brook is hot and steamy.

Along our journey, we stopped to visit Karuizawa and parked at this self-service lot…

… where we found a box for customers to place their money and license plate number (can you imagine any other country in the world with such an honor system).

We spotted this Rolls-Royce.  It was a nice day for a top-down drive.

Karuizawa, like many towns in Japan, is known for its unique man-hole covers.

They come in a variety of shapes and colors.

 A fire hydrant is found under here.

Further along our journey, we visited Nikko….

…which is known for temples and shrines.

Toshogu Shrine was initially built in 1617.

 Nikko is also known for beautiful waterfalls.  This was a very nice journey.

Later in the summer, I ventured to the southwest region of Kyushu.

The first stop was Arita…

… which is famous for porcelain.

Kilns opened in the late 1500’s after the discovery of porcelain clay in the area.

The skills of today’s artisans have been passed down over the centuries.

This piece is priced at $14,000 USD.

 

Moving down the island to Kumamoto, I was excited to attend the 2nd NPB All-Star game.   Note: NPB is Nippon Professional Baseball, and two all-star games are played in two different cities.

There are 12 teams in Japan, equally split between the Pacific League and Central League.

I was fortunate to sit next to Swallows fans.

The outfield “seats” are made of sloping grass, which were filled with potential superstars of tomorrow.  

Swallows power-hitter Balentien hit several balls into the far reaches of left field during the home run competition.

The intimate stadium brought the players very close to the fans.

Every team has a mascot.  Here is the Central League line up.

And each team also sent all-star cheerleaders…

…who kept everyone actively engaged throughout the game…

…which also included a watermelon eating contest.

Japanese baseball follows American traditions closely, except for the 7th inning stretch, when everyone blows up balloons…

… and lets them fly.  The balloons have noise-makers, which excites the crowd.

Despite all our cheering, the Pacific League was victorious 5 – 1, thus winning both all-star games this year.  However, it was a truly memorable experience.

Moving across Kyushu, I arrived at Beppu, which is famous for its hot springs…

…and hot sand.

I was next in line after this group.  I was surprised how hot, and heavy the sand was.

After showering, the onsen soak was delightful.

See… don’t I look relaxed?

From there, it was off to lunch.

I selected corn, rice and chicken.

With heavy rubber gloves, the chicken was lowered into the steam pit, followed by the corn and rice on top.

Then the wooden lid was placed on top.  Using a timer, the vegetables took 15 minutes and 20 for the chicken.

My lunch was completely cooked with geothermal steam.  It was delicious, including the slight sulphur taste.

An hour outside of Beppu brought me to Kurokawa Onsen, where the choices are plentiful.

I selected this onsen (hidden behind the wooden fence).

The forested entrance added to the experience.

After a nice soak, it was onto Mt. Aso, an active volcano which last erupted two years ago in October 2016.

The warning was clear.  My visit was brief.

I stayed that evening at a traditional Japanese Inn, with tatami mats.

Please note three features:  Toilet slippers (only to be used here), the electronic bidet controls with “front and back” options, and the faucet on top of the water tank (to efficiently wash your hands with water that refills the tank – ingenious!).

The next day started with a visit to this beautiful Shinto Shrine…

…which was followed by a trek to Mt. Kirishima, another active volcano.

Sitting dormant for 250 years, Mt. Kirishima erupted in April this year (visitor center photo). It was an excellent trip, with many enjoyable experiences.  Please see the bonus stories below.

It’s been a difficult summer with multiple natural disasters hitting Japan, including earthquakes, severe flooding, scorching heat, and now the 5^th typhoon to hit the mainland (Trami).  We are well in Tokyo and are impressed with Japan’s preparedness and resilience.

Our college friend Tim visited in September, which included a visit to a Maid Café…

… followed by the Autumn Grand Sumo Tournament at Tokyo’s Ryogoku Kokugikan.

It was great excitement.

Mongolian yokozuna Hakuho won the Emperor’s Cup with a perfect 15-0 record

After the tournament, we spotted this sumo at the train station (photo by Tim).  Enjoy!  ts

 

2018 – 06: Architecture

Like any city, Tokyo is filled with rectangular-shaped buildings, designed to maximize the tiny bits of land which hold them. Efficiency is key.

But Tokyo is also filled with architectural surprises.

Designers have dared to be bold…

… and defy convention.

My weekends are filled with walking the streets of Tokyo, and much to my delight, discovering architectural gems along the way.

This appears to be just another busy Tokyo street… but take a closer look.

This is the Nakagin capsule hotel in Shimbashi.

These prefab units were stacked with a statement.  This was the 1970’s answer to the housing crunch.

Hmmm… I’m not sure how to caption this one…

… or this one.

This is new construction in Shibuya.

At one point, Audi had a flagship store here.

Porsche stands out in this building.

Why not be bold…

… and break the mold.

Wow, buildings can be curvaceous!  I applaud architects who throw away the ruler.

I love the simple flair and elegance…

… and appreciate the extra effort for this design and construction.

Tokyo’s architecture has many influences… in this case, European (this is the state guest house for foreign diplomats).

Paris?  No, this is Tokyo tower.

Perhaps this building was inspired by New York City’s Flat Iron.

This exact replica of the Statue of liberty is one seventh the size of the original.

This bug-eye inspired design marks the entrance to a metro station.

And speaking of bugs…

This designer clearly had a fascination with insects (and Transformers) as a child.

Believe it or not, this is art… the Roppongi Spider.

Art is sprinkled throughout the city.

Art takes many shapes…

…and forms.

Some of it is well-known.

This Shinto gate marks the entrance to a shrine, surrounded by trees.

However, a slight shift in camera angle reveals more about its location.

The rear angle shows this shrine is in the heart of the city.

Places of worship are sprinkled throughout the city…

…including this mammoth Buddhist Temple (with Tokyo Tower in the background).

Tokyo Union Church is in the heart of Omatesando (think 5^th Avenue).

Saint Grace Cathedral is a dedicated wedding venue.

Everyone loves Snoopy… especially in Japan.

He has his own museum.

Facades add flavor…

… and style…

…transforming the ordinary…

…into something truly unique…

… and distinctive.

Take a look…what do you see?

Here’s a close up.  Elevated highways are intertwined seamlessly throughout the city.

Highways crisscross at many angles…

… or sometimes are triple stacked in parallel.

This corkscrew highway fascinates me.

It takes “three turns of the screw” to move up the side of this mountain.

This hotel by water’s edge in Yokohama is inspired by sails.

This is Ginza Crossing.

This is one of two Mikimoto stores in Ginza (which partially explains why their pearls are outrageously priced).

The streets of Ginza are closed to vehicles and opened for pedestrians on weekends (can you spot Lynda?).

This men’s room comes with a unique view.

This building appears to have been designed by three different architects, who didn’t align with each other.

Every space is precious… and buildable.

The 1964 Summer Olympics stadium is intimate and quaint by today’s standards.

Meanwhile, construction is at full tilt for the new 2020 Olympic stadium.

Shinjuku is known for the Government building…

… it’s neighbor is known for “Lost in Translation.”   The highest point in this trio showcases the bar featured in the film starring Bill Murray and Scarlett Johansson.

Fire escapes are often on the outside of buildings…

Sometimes they are more integrated…

… and other times they are designed to stand out…

… as a clear design element.

Sky Tree is a more recent addition to Tokyo’s skyline…

… but wait… what is that on the right?

Affectionately known as the “golden turd,” this is an artistic representation of an open beer tap (to landmark the beer company inside the building).

I will avoid the temptation of transitional pun, and merely point out, this is the restroom outside Oku Station… thus creating a very “location-based” landmark.

This space-invaders inspired building houses the Edo Museum.

Of course the National Art Center needs an original design.

This distinctive building in Shinjuku provides a consistent background throughout a series of photos.

A short walk changes the story…

… and again.

It’s a consistent towering friend to landmark the locale.

I’m certain Rubik’s cube was an inspiration for this design.

This mushroom shaped apartment building is easy to find (even if you’ve had one too many)…

… it stands out in the neighborhood.

Pedestrians go up — to get over these busy streets.

This elevated walkway stretches over one street, then dips under the highway above.

Do you notice anything odd in this photo?

Window washing is still “old school.”

These lights…

… are for the baseball field below.

I marvel at the clever and efficient use of space.

I enjoy photographing this highly distinctive building in Shinjuku.

I suspect the designer was inspired by rocket ships and bird nests.

I don’t know who moved your cheese… but I can tell you where it is.

Here’s classic Victorian hiding in the shadows of towering modern.

These balconies appear to be made from gigantic CDs.

It appears that screws are holding this building together.

The corner of this building appears to have been repaired after a huge truck smashed into it… but no, this is how it was designed.

I love the cloud reflections…

Cirque de Soleil adds color and style when they come to town.

This is a pedestrian bridge, with style.

Perhaps this is a spaceship… I’m not certain.

This is a driving school (don’t ask me to explain this one).

This could be England…

… but it’s not.

I’m sure this design is intentional.

Prada lives here…

… in this neighborhood…

…not far from Hugo Boss.

Bricks don’t always have to be red.

Construction is everywhere in Tokyo.

Older buildings are demolished, and rebuilt with more stringent earthquake-resistant techniques.  Note the tight spacing of this steel skeleton, which will be poured with concrete.

Construction crews are wary of noise levels.  Here you can see the decibel measurements (inside the walls and out).

This is tricky…

…very tricky.

This building has additional earthquake supports on its exterior.

This building stands out for its design.

It is completely supported by the exterior skeleton.

This internet photo features a famous house in Kyoto.

Here’s the street view.

As you can see Tokyo’s architecture is quite diverse, providing a “wow” factor around nearly every corner.

Don’t miss the  bonus stories below.

We always enjoy welcoming visitors.  It was great catching up with Patrick, who was in Tokyo for a conference.

It’s been about 15 years since I’ve seen Ginny, and she hasn’t changed a bit.  She experienced a whirlwind tour of Japan, diving deep into the rural culture.

Sadly, my 92 year old father passed away suddenly in April.  We will always remember his joy touring Japan… and the fascination he created with his piercing blue eyes.

On a happier note, Kayla was graduated from Dickinson College in May.

We are very proud of our Cum Laude / Dean’s List graduate.  Enjoy additional architectural bonus photos below, spanning the past 3 years..

                                   

       

                                                                                        

                            

                

 

2018 – 03: Seasons

Yes, the blog is still active and alive (albeit with less frequency).  This feature covers 3 seasons…

…starting with autumn.

Autumn is still warm enough for the beach…

… but perhaps not what you imagined (this is the in the heart of Tokyo).

Greg and I walked across the Rainbow Bridge at the northwest tip of Tokyo Bay…

…to find a huge Strider Cup competition.

With great intensity and high adrenaline… these young riders were released from the gate…

…and traversed the obstacles…

…to reach the finish line.  This was great fun.

The ginkgo trees turn bright yellow in autumn.

The views throughout the city are stunning.

Every citizen has a camera (and some have helpers).

Autumn comes late in Tokyo.  These photos are from December.

This is my favorite.

This bonsai garden is beautiful…

…which brings many wedding parties.  This group is positioning for a family photo (the lack of railings terrified me).

The setting is beautiful.

This wide shot adds perspective.

The area around Mt. Fuji is one of our favorite destinations.

We visited a nearby active volcano…

…with a hotbed of activity.

We were provided moist towelettes to help shield the sulfur smell.

Kayla and Dan joined us in January during their winter break.

We visited Kyoto…

…and of course Mt. Fuji.

February brings spring training for baseball…

… and I was there to cheer for my favorite team, the Swallows.

One of the nice benefits of spring training is the small stadiums and closeness to the action.

Yamada-san is the star player (he was named the Central League MVP in 2015).  I was fortunate to capture his home-run smash.

Here’s the coach in his post-game interview (with team mascot Tsubakuro listening in).

33 year old Curaçaoan–Dutch outfielder and power hitter, Wladimir Balentien, blasted 3 homeruns over the 2 games I watched during the weekend (Japanese teams are permitted to have up to 4 international players).

And to my surprise, the players moved straight into agility drills and batting practice after the game.

In early March, Lynda, Greg and I traveled to Yamagata prefecture via Shinkansen (bullet train)…

…to the charming village of Ginzan where winter brings heaps of snow.

Thanks to plentiful hot springs, these travelers warmed their feet along the sidewalk.

We also visited Zao, which is known for snow monsters created by high velocity winds whipping up the mountain.

The views are spectacular.

This family posed by a Buddha statue.

Here’s what it looks like in the summertime (Internet photo).

The chairlift does not reach the mountain top.  That’s me, working my way to the summit.

The previous photo was safely taken from here.

With much effort, I reached the peak.  I’m certain, this is where all the wind enters the world.

Back in Tokyo in late March, it was prime cherry blossom season….

…with colorful views throughout the city…

…which brings out the big lenses…

…and lots of smiles.

From autumn, to winter, to spring, and soon into summer, we relish all the seasons. Enjoy a few bonus photos below.  ts

                                     

 

 

 

 

2017-10: Cosplay

Tokyo is a city of professionals.  The “salarymen” dress in black suits, white shirt and tie, and “salarywomen” in navy blue or grey.

But fighting against this monochromatic predictability comes cosplay, or “costume play.”

What you’re about to see has nothing to do with Halloween.  This is day-to-day life in Tokyo.

Cosplay is a modern-day evolution from Masquerade balls of earlier centuries.

The intention is to replicate a specific character, typically from movies, TV, comic books, video games, music, or anime.

I stumbled across this event by chance in the Ikebukuro area of Tokyo on a Sunday morning in January.

A group of 50+ shops and restaurants in the area offered discounts to cosplayers, which created this crowd.

This hobby gained rapid popularity in the 1990’s and is now anchored in Japanese culture with conventions and competitions (local and international).

There are two cosplay magazines in Japan and endless activity online via social media.

These gatherings draw as many photographers as they do cosplayers.

Photographers will patiently queue…

… to capture this pose.

There are clear rules and boundaries which everyone respects.

No personal information is exchanged… it’s all about capturing the moment.

Gender-bending is known as crossplay.  It’s all in fun.

Selfie’s are standard…

… and selfie sticks are a must.

I’ve never seen so many selfie sticks.

This cosplayer has a “professional grade” selfie setup.

Multi-colored contacts lenses are a common accessory, sometimes with varying colors at the same time.

This hobby is to see, and be seen.

The bright colors and joyful interactions created many smiles and much laughter.

Halloween is around the corner… I can only imagine what’s coming.  Please enjoy these additional photos below. ts

                          

 

 

 

 

 

 

2017-08: Summer Adventures

With my family in the U.S. for a summer break, I ventured farther outside of Tokyo over three successive weekends.  Mid-July took me to the Mt. Fuji area…

… which started at Mt. Fuji Speedway for the BMW Motorsport Festival.

.

…where customers could experience the thrill of driving an M Powered car on the famed track…

…in the shadow of Mt. Fuji.

It was an enthusiast’s paradise.

From there, I ventured to the Fuji 5 lakes region…

…where I explored three caves created over centuries by lava flow from Mt. Fuji eruptions.

This is known as the “Bat Cave.”  I did not see any bats (they were sleeping deeper inside the cave)…

…however, the museum nearby provided plenty of exhibits and photos.

Two other caves are known for ice.  There are some 80 caves in the area (but only 3 are open to the public).

Just outside a cave, I spotted this unique treat.  I like corn, and I like ice cream, but I passed-up this opportunity to mix the two flavors.

This beautiful scene can be found just south of Mt. Fuji.

The water flows from the many lava crevices across the ridge.

The following weekend took me to western Japan where my journey started here, in a capsule hotel.

Started in 1979, capsule hotels were created for over-worked salarymen who needed a bit of sleep before starting the next day.  My “room” cost 3780 JPY ($34 USD).

The capsules are equipped with a 1980’s TV and a pre-digital AM / FM radio, with an old-fashioned dial (turn the knob and manually fine-tune the signal).  Youngsters, ask your parents.

The capsule was comfortable, however, I did not anticipate the individual early alarms which began at 4:00 am and continued every 15 minutes, which was followed by footsteps down the hallway.  But those distractions could not compare with the surround-sound symphony of snoring.  Trust me, the sounds men enjoying their slumber is not music to the ears.

Like most capsule hotels, this is a men’s-only facility with a public bath, fed by a natural hot spring.  I enjoyed the experience, despite the lack of sleep.

From there, I boarded a train, and then a ferry to reach Naoshima Island, known as “Art Island.”  The first art attraction greets visitors at the port.

Artist Yayoi Kusama is widely known for polka-dotted pumpkins.

This bus brought me to the other side of the island…

… for another pumpkin.

Her work is also featured in the new shopping complex, Ginza Six (in Tokyo).

Art is everywhere on Naoshima Island…

…and in all kinds of forms.

 

Naoshima has three primary museums, one which includes the work of Yukinori Yanagi, known for “The World Flag Ant Farm,” which features 170 national flags.

Each flag is made of colored sand and filled with ants. Over the course of the exhibition the ants build a network of tunnels in each flag and travel to neighboring flags. In doing so, the ants break down the design (i.e. the nation itself) and the borders between the nations.

Walter De Maria was featured in another museum with this granite sphere (2.2 meters in diameter or more than 7 feet).  Very impressive.

Two more ferry rides brought me to Shodoshima Island, known for rice patties…

…and olive oil, inspired by Greek culture.

The next day involved a bus, ferry and train which brought me to the western shores of Tattori…

… and the Sand Museum.

This year’s theme is USA.

 

The detail is phenomenal.

Everything you see here is carved from sand.

This famous depiction of Washington crossing the Delaware was carved by a Russian artist.  [Please see bonus photos for more sculptures.]

This exhibit was found outside the museum (remember, this blog is apolitical).

The third weekend started at 6:00 am, at Tokyo Station, where I found myself on a 3+ hour Shinkansen (bullet train) to Aomori, the northern most prefecture on the main island of Japan.  [Note: this train split partway along the journey to serve different corridors.]

The village of Inakadate is known for rice.  And what appears to be a normal rice patty…

… is actually art.

This masterpiece is created completely with multi-colored rice plants.

A closer inspection reveals the artist’s strokes.

A second location featured two works of art with the theme “Yamata no Orochi & Susanoo-no-Mikoto.”

This annual art event began in 1993.

The rice is planted in the spring…

… with the best time for viewing in mid-July to mid-August.

Here’s a view showing the observation platform. [Please see additional bonus photos at the end of this blog.]

One more surprise greeted visitors to mark the 20^th anniversary of the death of Princess Diana.

This palette of multi-colored stones was created on a canvas of asphalt.

The detail is amazing.

From there, I ventured to the stream emanating from Lake Towada, where my journey began with a bowl of ramen noodles for lunch…

…which was followed by a delightful hike along the most beautiful trail…

… with multiple waterfalls along the way.

This is known as the “baby Niagara Falls.”

I found a traditional Japanese onsen nearby, which served a traditional Japanese meal.

My dinner was cooked before me over hot coals.

Seafood dominated the menu…

… which was looking back at me.

Yes, several of my entrees included eyeballs.

It was a delightful experience.  Enjoy!  ts

(Bonus photos follow with sand sculptures from Tattori and rice patty art from Inakadate.)                                                   

…more rice patty art…                               

The next two photos show rice art from previous years.

 

 

2017-05: Festivals + Rally

February took us to Sapporo for the 68^th annual winter festival.  This world-famous event attracts 2 million attendees each year.

A ski jump was erected in the center of the city…

… for ski and snowboard stunts.

Everything you’re about to see is made of snow.

We saw multiple stages with performers.

It took 3 decades to build the Arc de Triomphe in Paris…

… it took a total of 4,000 people 30 days to create this 1/3 scale model from snow in Sapporo.

Corporate sponsors participated…

… which included a slide for the kids.

Star Wars was impressive…

… which featured the main characters…

… all in snow.

Look at the detail.

What you see here is 3000 tons of finely-carved snow, delivered in raw form by 600 trucks.

Sculpture sizes ranged from humongous to small…

… with an international competition.

This popular sculpture was created by artists from Latvia.

Gandhi made an appearance.

Of course, no Japanese festival is complete without Godzilla…

… he is the standard.

Sapporo is sister cities with Portland, Oregon (where “weird people from around the world come together” stated the plaque.).

But without a doubt, PPAP was the most popular theme.

This is Pikotaro, from Aomori Prefecture…

… who created the pop-sensation “Pen Pine Apple Pen” song.(see YouTube for the video).

These impressive sculptures came alive at night…

… as projection screens…

… for lighting effects and videos.

It was a whale of an event.

The next day, we visited a second location which included snow balls…

… a jumbo slide…

… golf…

… a maze…

… and demonstrations of Honda snow blowers (you may recall that Sapporo hosted the 1972 Winter Olympics… snow is a way of life in winter).

We enjoyed the event knowing full well that warmer temperatures would eliminate this art… until next year when new sculptures will be created again from snow.

Closer to Tokyo, early March is Plum season…

… the pre-cursor to the more famous cherry blossom season.

Photographers are everywhere.

There is always plenty of food at these festivals, typically served on a stick.

If it comes from the ocean…

… it is edible.

Even bananas participated…

… in style.

This man was promoting cherry blossom travel at the Plum Festival.

And sure enough, late-March / early April is typically prime cherry blossom season in Tokyo…

… drawing busloads of tourists from around the world.

But due to unseasonably cold temperatures this year, the blossoms were delayed.

The moat around Imperial Garden is a famous spot for Sakura (cherry blossoms), but early April was too early this year.

None-the-less, people photographed…

… and queued for the boat rides.

Ceremonies could be found throughout the city.

This slow procession involved a wide sweeping arc of the legs.

Note the size of the shoes.

One week later, the blossoms had popped…

… which brought out droves of people…

… with big lenses…

… selfie-sticks…

… and pets…

… but not the sun.

However, the blossoms are lit at night for extended viewing time.

This gray, overcast weekend…

… turned to rain.

However, the blossoms won’t wait.

So rain or shine, Hanami continues (cherry blossom viewing / picnicking under cherry trees).

Sparkling wine is common.

It’s a Rosé for color (not cherry flavor).

The swans at Kichijoji were not deterred by the rain…

Swans enjoy water after all.

At this charming temple in Kichijoji…

… amazake was served (a traditional sweet Japanese drink made from rice).

The “brewery” was next to the temple.

One week later, I returned to Nakameguro to find the cherry blossoms (and the people) nearly gone.

However, a bit southwest from Tokyo and at a higher elevation, the search continued.

Finally, we found the perfect combination of sunshine and cherry blossoms…

… with a spectacular view of Mt. Fuji in the background.

Our college friend, Nina, gets credit for bringing the postcard-perfect weather.

Now for the bonus story about a rally.  The first week of May is the Golden Week Holiday in Japan, which brought me to the U.S. where I flew into the Harrisburg, Pennsylvania airport.  Less than 24 hours later, President Trump flew into the same airport to hold a rally at the Farm Show Arena on Saturday, April 29.

As a naturally curious person, I had to see the President.  My father and brother John also joined.

This blog is apolitical.  It is not a forum for opinion.  I merely report what I see and let the viewer decide.  April 29 was the President’s 100^th day in office.  This is a milestone which is commonly discussed in political circles and the media.

Vice President Mike Pence spoke first, and recapped the administration’s accomplishments during the first 100 days.

After 20 minutes, he then introduced President Trump who spoke for about an hour.

During his speech, John and I moved down to the floor (standing only) for a closer look.

Trump reinforced all the common themes and messages heard during the campaign…

… which were greeted enthusiastically by the crowd.

Trump skipped the annual White House Correspondents Dinner to attend this rally…

… but there were still plenty of media in attendance.

Police and security officials managed the crowd safely and efficiently after the event.  That’s all for now… I’m headed back to Tokyo.  Enjoy.  ts

 

 

 

 

 

2017-01: Sumo

This is Ryogoku train station…

… adorned with celebrity memorability…

…and with clear indication of what to expect around the corner.

This is Ryogoku Kokugikan stadium, home to Tokyo’s sumo tournaments.

Fans have plenty of choice…

… to read about their favorite sumo…

… and even spot him arriving.

Ground-level, traditional Japanese-style seating is available (no chairs – only a cushion). Each box-seat holds four people (this diagram in front of the ticket office is designed to manage expectations).  We opted for the balcony with stadium chairs.

The fans are ready!

Let’s go!

Ahhh, but not so fast.  Sumos don’t just jump into the ring and go.  Psychological maneuvering is required.

First, stomp a foot (to rid the mat of evil spirits)…

… and clap hands.

After getting in the set position…

… back off for a towel…

… a drink of water…

… and then toss salt to purify the ring.

Ok, getting set again…

… but wait. it’s still not time to start.  This ritual repeats again.  In the old days, this “cold war” could be indefinite. In 1928, a 10 minute clock was added, which was reduced to four minutes over the years.

Set again… and go!

The goal is to push the opponent out of the ring, or cause any part of his body to touch the ground other than the soles of his feet.

Each match was very quick. A long match was 10 seconds, but some bouts were resolved in less than 2 seconds.

After the sumos clear the ring, the next competitors enter and the four minute psychological warfare begins again.

Sumo began some 1500 years ago when, legend has it, the God Takemikazuchi won a sumo bout with the leader of a rival tribe.  The first sumo matches were religious… dedicated to the Gods for a bountiful harvest.

The dohyo, or ring, is about 4.6 meters in diameter (a bit more than 15 feet).

The mat surface is clay with a thin layer of sand.

There are no weight limits, so it’s possible to find an opponent twice your size.

The sumos are naked except for the silk mawashi. At 9 meters long (30 feet) it’s folded 6 times and then wrapped around the waist from 4 to 7 times — depending on the girth.  The ornamental strings on the front are silk stiffened with glue. They frequently detach and are discarded.

There are six tournaments per year, each running 15 days (each sumo competes once per day).  The red ilne on the scoreboard indicates the winner that day.

There are about 600 men who compete in professional sumo — from trainees up to the yokozuma at the top, with many of the top performers coming from Mongolia (this sumo is Hungarian).

In this flashback photo (May 2016), we watched sumo practice for two hours at a nearby stable (there are about 50 stables nationwide, each with 12 sumos who live and train communally).

Each tournament day is divided between the lower ranks and the upper echelon (shown arriving here).

The ceremonial silk aprons (kesho-mawashi) are hemmed with gold fringe. Costs hit upwards of 500,000 JPY ($4,300).

The top two sumos perform the dohyo-iri ceremony, and the ring is ready.

Hand-carried advertising banners circle the ring in seconds (about $5,000 USD each).

And at the conclusion of the 4 minute psychological maneuvers…

… the sumos thrust every ounce directly at each other.

One match was too close to call, so the five judges huddled for a decision (there’s no instant replay in sumo).

At the conclusion of the final bout, excited fans threw their seat cushions into the ring.

The traditional bow dance signaled the conclusion of competition for the day (the 2^nd day of the 15-day tournament).

Jumping ahead to the final day, at 176 kg (388 lbs), Kisenosato won the Emperor’s Cup going 14-1. This was big news with a Japanese national winning against the dominant Mongolian sumos.  (Internet photo).  It was a great experience, and we hope to attend again in the future.  Enjoy.  ts

 

2016 – 11 Dogs

This post features dogs (mostly).

Dogs are everywhere in Tokyo.

Due to limited apartment space, dogs tend to be very small

… and are carried in bags…

…and sometimes baby carriers.

Dogs are treated as family…

… in fact, like children.

Strollers are commonly used for dog transit…

This guy is waiting patiently…

At last !!

This guy is protected by mosquito netting.

Even cats use strollers.

 

Take a close look…

… bicycles baskets are perfect for dogs

This dog is clearly navigating.

Dogs are often dressed…

… the wardrobe is impressive.

 

Dogs are also included in Halloween.

Other pets get in to the act (I cannot identify these critters)…

… and even a goat.

Many restaurants are dog friendly.

Dogs are always present at my favorite breakfast café.

Dogs sometimes outnumber the people.

They are transported in a variety of ways…

… and I’ve never witnessed bad behavior (stolen food).

This dog is hanging on the wall.

And this little guy arrived wearing his own raincoat.

This guy is waiting patiently…

… and caught the attention of many passing by.

Signs, signs, everywhere signs.

There are a lot of rules regarding dogs…

… and the signs can be very explicit.

 

Dog groomers are everywhere.

This is a high-end mall with plenty of barber tables (no waiting).

Dogs go everywhere…

…including the shopping mall.

…the hardware store…

…and camping.

These guys are standing guard.

There are 3 dogs here…

… and four dogs here.

This couple has 4 dogs of various breeds…

…and this guy needs “hair of the dog.”

We know this dog well (she endured a lengthy quarantine to be admitted into Japan).

Many dogs came dressed to this MINI event.

 

These dogs sat nicely on display…

… for the photographers to click away.

This woman shared her ramen noodles with her dogs.

Not all dogs are small in Tokyo.

This guy is 25 kg (55 pounds).

The big guy is waiting his turn at the water bowl.

And why stop at one dog… why not four…

… or six!

This guy is waiting outside the supermarket

There are 2 dogs here (I don’t think they are conjoined)

This dog is clearly not interested in Facebook.

This bike has dog power.

This dog is quite comfortable.

I’m not sure if his eyes are sensative to light, or, if it’s a style choice.

And finally, what can this be?

I’ve never see this before.

How clever to use a skateboard for Sunday shopping.

This is one cool cat.

Enjoy. ts

 

 

 

2016-09: Hiking

Hiking opportunities abound throughout Japan. What follows are a series of photos from summertime hikes outside of Tokyo.

Nikko has some of the most beautiful trails I’ve ever experienced…

…with incredible views…

… many fishermen…

… and several waterfalls…

… gorgeous waterfalls.

The message of this sign is clear (even without knowledge of Japanese).

It was great fun driving the roads in this area.

But Nikko is most known for its temples…

…which are surrounded by towering cedar trees…

… with celestial protection.

About an hour outside of Tokyo is Mt. Takao.

At 599 meters (1,965 feet), it provides nice 360° views.

Greg and I traveled west during the Obon holiday in August.

The train ride through the Kurobe Gorge was impressive….

… providing close up views of Japan’s extensive hydro-electric power generation.

We also visited the world-heritage Shirakawa village….

…with its roofs made of straw (no nails are used)…

… they are designed to withstand the region’s heavy snowfall in winter.

We stayed at a traditional Japanese Ryokan nearby.

No shoes are allowed inside.

All the rooms have wall-to-wall tatami mats…

… which we later prepared for sleeping.

Our room came complete with a telephone (youngsters, ask your parents how to operate this device).

Bathing is available in the public bath (separated for men and women), with geothermally heated water.

The appropriate wardrobe is provided.

South of Tokyo, we explored the Kamakura area, which started with a street car ride…

… to Enoshima Island…

… with its grand views.

Along the way, street vendors prepared fresh delicacies (squid in this case).

The Big Buddha is the main attraction in Kamakura.

Meditation leads to the middle path (and eventual enlightenment).

This Buddha comes complete with air vents…

… for those inside (this Buddha is hollow).

As people donated, one man collected.

We hiked along a mountain ridge on a “trail of roots.”

In the midst was a wonderful café (which started years ago as a simple jug of water for weary hikers).

Our trail eventually brought us to a tunnel…

…leading to Zeniarai Benzaiten shrine…

… where we washed our money (tradition has it the money will multiply).

In late August, we dropped Kayla at the airport. First stop – Vienna for a month of language immersion, then off to Bremen, Germany, for her junior year (alle Klassen auf Deutsch).

We noticed the Tokyo airport is already preparing for the next summer Olympics.

In case you missed it, the Olympic closing ceremony in Rio featured Japan’s Prime Minister Abe as Super Mario. This was a very clever transition to Tokyo.

Bonus photo: Thanks to Pat and Mindy for their visit during their travels through Asia.

Enjoy. ts

2016-07: Colors

Japan is the world’s third largest car market (behind China and the U.S.).

People love their cars…

… and they especially love unique car colors.

Bright yellow is common.

It’s easy to find in the parking lot…

…and you can’t miss yellow on the streets.

This can’t be missed for many reasons.

Color imagination is limitless.

Pink? Why not?

It works for any brand…

… even Porsche.

But pink is not just limited to cars…

Heavy trucks come in a colorful variety…

…all kinds of trucks.

There is no reason for drab grey…

… bright blue livens the roadways.

Even cement mixers span the color spectrum.

Look at all these choices.

I wonder who was the first to expand the palette.

Grey does not exist.

Who would have guessed so much variety was available?

… even multi-colored.

From massive – to MINI.

Classic MINI’s are often seen in Tokyo.

These cars are tiny…

… but the model range varies for those who want more space.

This is my favorite MINI photo… clearly a hard-core MINI fan with identical paint schemes for both the classic and modern MINI.

Toyotas come in a rainbow of colors.

Would you want to own a mauve car?

How about orange?

Orange is more common than you would think.

Orange is the new black.

Could this car name work in the U.S.?

Sports cars are using blue… Porsche in this example…

… BMW M…

… even Ferrari.

Perhaps Bentley selected this color to increase the sporty flair.

Oops! It doesn’t work for every model.

And finally, even cyclists like bright colors. Notice the pink rims, pink seat, pink handlebar grips and even a matching pink bike lock.  Now that’s color coordination.  Enjoy.  ts