<\/p>\n

So…<\/h3>\n

We arrived Tokyo late last night. \u00a0<\/strong>Got a pretty good night’s sleep and today is our wisely planned “day off” to re-adjust our circadian rhythms\u00a0after the flight over from PDX. \u00a0Long hours breathing the incredibly dry cabin air in an airplane can seriously dehydrate you and sap your strength.<\/p>\n

Shall we just lay around the hotel to re-hydrate, and take naps? \u00a0The smart answer – Yep, hand me that water bottle. \u00a0Our answer?<\/p>\n

NOPE.<\/p>\n

The concierge at the hotel gave us\u00a0a map (in English!) that showed a nice park just a subway ride away from our hotel. \u00a0Yoyogi Park is a large park in the Shibuya section of Tokyo, (right in our li’l old Shibuya neighborhood)\u00a0located adjacent to Harajuku Station and Meiji Shrine. \u00a0Cool. \u00a0Our hotel is right next to one of the subway stations. \u00a0All we have to do is find the train to Harajuku station. \u00a0Except, there are no signs in English.<\/p>\n

Japanese Custom Alert:<\/span><\/h4>\n

Very few people in Japan speak English. \u00a0Most of the tourists that we came across were other Japanese, with a smattering of Chinese, followed by “other” Asians.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

As Winnie and I are standing near one of the ticket machines looking completely lost and totally perplexed, a small voice with a bit of a British clip asks “Can I help you?” \u00a0Our English-speaking angel of mercy! \u00a0Turns out this is her third year of studying abroad in Japan and\u00a0just happens to be on the way to the same park to meet her friends. \u00a0After briefing us on how to buy a metro ticket and how to calculate from the tables and charts how much to pay, we are on the way.
\nI just love it when an ill-conceived plan falls together for, seemingly, no reason at all.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Arriving at Yoyogi\u00a0Park, we find\u00a0that the weather has been a bit on the chilly side, and the cherry blossoms are still (maybe)\u00a0a week away from full bloom. \u00a0Heck, I think that they’re pretty anyway.<\/p>\n

We can see swatches of blue and lots of people just ahead…. We wander over to find out what’s going on.<\/p>\n

It’s a PARTY!<\/h3>\n

<\/p>\n

It’s \u00a0the first day of SAKURA, the Japanese Cherry Blossom Festival and, from the looks of it, everyone has brought a\u00a0tarp, lots of friends and family, loads of food, and gallons of beer and sake.<\/p>\n

And as is Japanese custom,\u00a0leave your shoes “at the door”.<\/p>\n

I was just starting to acquire\u00a0a twinge of consciousness telling me that the observance of\u00a0social customs is quite important to the Japanese.<\/p>\n

(I had no idea how much I would learn\/discover about the importance of social customs when millions of people\u00a0are mashed together into dense populations.)<\/p>\n

Japanese Custom Alert:<\/span><\/h4>\n

It is customary (read that as “mandatory”) that you take off your shoes when entering someone’s home, a ryokan, pretty much any carpeted area, any elevated platform (think shrines or temples), and even certain areas of restaurants. \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Travel Tip: \u00a0 Be alert and aware of our surroundings and imitate what the “locals” do.<\/span><\/p>\n

On the other hand, or foot as it were, you are expected to put on the slippers that are placed next to the door before entering the bathroom.<\/p>\n

Going to the bathroom is a big deal in Japan.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

T<\/strong>he cherry blossoms must have been enjoying the revelry too, because they were more completely filled out on this side of the park.<\/p>\n

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Winnie even found a tiny bloom growing right out of the bark of this big mossy tree.<\/p>\n

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Monkey see, monkey do… So I took a picture of it right after Winnie did.<\/p>\n

I got to wondering “Do\u00a0many photographers watch other photographers (maybe out of the corners of their eyes) for tips or hints?”<\/p>\n

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There was a light breeze in the park, and it was carrying some tantalizing aromas. \u00a0Food aromas.<\/p>\n

Time to eat.<\/h4>\n

There were a dozen kiosks set up by various\u00a0food vendors, all selling things that I did not recognise. \u00a0Some of it I did recognise but that’s okay, I just walked a little faster…<\/p>\n

If it could be dragged wriggling from the sea, it was there, usually with a skewer stuck through it. \u00a0Some cooked, some raw, and some for U-Cook-It on a nearby hibachi with an eternal flame. \u00a0During business hours.
\n<\/strong><\/p>\n

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We bought some skewered (and cooked) food like substances from these girls, and added a beer and a coke to wash it all down.<\/p>\n

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Dining in Style<\/p>\n

Never really decided what it was.. beef? \u00a0pork belly? or the dreaded “Other”?
\nWhatever it was, it was goooooood!<\/p>\n

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<\/p>\n

This rowdy bunch of Japanese kids had just met this anglo couple and\u00a0their baby moments before. They were all really having a good time carrying on and fussing over the baby. \u00a0Although none of us were bi-lingual, language proved to be no barrier at all. \u00a0Smiles and laughter were ample connection, though all the beer and saki may have been a contributing factor. \u00a0What fun!<\/p>\n

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So.<\/p>\n

I joined the party. I laughed and carried on. \u00a0I took a few “action shots” of the group.<\/p>\n

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<\/p>\n

One of the group is writing down her eMail address for me…\u00a0\u00a0I developed their group shots and sent them to her the next day so that she could pass them along to her posse.
\nI really enjoy interacting with people from other countries, even when communication is reduced to a mere\u00a0smile or laugh.<\/p>\n

<\/h3>\n

<\/h3>\n

I thought this young girl was cute, so I mimed the question “Okay to take your picture?” \u00a0She laughed and struck this pose… and for a Walter Mitty moment in time, she was “The Star”, and I was her “Photographer”. \u00a0Everyone in the park has been\u00a0so friendly today. \u00a0Not a frown to be foun(d).<\/p>\n

There are still many smokers in Japan, mostly adult males. \u00a0And this girl.<\/p>\n

Even so, you won’t find any cigarette butts on the ground. \u00a0Zero. \u00a0None.<\/p>\n

Japanese Custom Alert:<\/span><\/h4>\n

The Japanese take “tidy” to whole new levels, even though one rarely sees a trash can. \u00a0If you create any “trash” while you’re out and about, put it into your pocket or purse and take it home with you.<\/span><\/p>\n

I can understand how this could become more and more important as population becomes more and more condensed. \u00a0 I truly hope that this\u00a0custom might begin to “trend” in the U.S. and other countries.<\/p>\n

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<\/p>\n

Nice boots, ladies!<\/h3>\n

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<\/p>\n

My brother the police officer\u00a0always told me that he\u00a0could tell a lot about a person by just looking at their shoes.
\nWhat are your thoughts? \u00a0Can you?<\/p>\n

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<\/p>\n

It was a fun morning of partying, but now it’s time to flee the raucous denizens of Yoyogi Park for the peace and tranquility of Meiji Jingu Shrine.<\/p>\n

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Meiji Jingu Shrine entrance<\/h3>\n

<\/p>\n

Always bow one time to show respect and honor before entering the 40-foot-high (12-meter) torii gate at the entrance. \u00a0It is made of 1,500-year-old cypress.<\/p>\n

After I bowed once and passed through the torii gate, all\u00a0the noise from the city, the bands at the park, the kids… seemed to fade. \u00a0The air about us became peaceful, almost serene. \u00a0I felt calm. \u00a0Relaxed. \u00a0I could now hear birds singing instead of the<\/p>\n

city’s roar in my ears. \u00a0Our rapid pace from the park gently morphed into a stroll so naturally that neither of us even noticed until sometime later. \u00a0It was truly an oasis of tranquility amidst the stormy sea that is Tokyo.<\/p>\n

Meiji Jingu is a Shinto shrine. Shinto is called Japan’s ancient original religion, and it is deeply rooted in the way of Japanese life. \u00a0Shinto has no founder, no holy book, and not even the concept of religious conversion, but Shinto values (for example) harmony with nature and virtues such as “Magokoro<\/i> (sincere heart)”.<\/p>\n

This shrine is dedicated to the divine souls of Emperor Meiji, the late 19th-century emperor who opened Japan to the West, and his consort Empress Shoken (their tombs are in Kyoto).
\nEmperor Meiji passed away in 1912 and Empress Shoken in 1914. After their demise, people wanted to commemorate their virtues and to venerate them forever. The Japanese people\u00a0donated 100,000 trees from all over Japan and from overseas, and countrymen from all over Japan\u00a0worked voluntarily to create this forest and shrine. Thanks to the\u00a0Magokoro<\/i> of the people, this shrine was established on November 1, 1920.<\/p>\n

And here we have one of the littlest empresses, all dressed up for Sakura.\u00a0Her proud Mom was doing the family photo shoot. \u00a0I simply could not resist a couple of shots of my own.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

What a totally cute kid.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

The knot of the obi is called musubi<\/i>. \u00a0These days, a woman’s knot often does not keep the obi in place as much as it functions as a large decorative piece in the back. The actual knot is usually supported by a number of accessories including\u00a0pads, scarves and cords. It’s my understanding that it is quite difficult to don the kimono and attach the obi properly without assistance. \u00a0The sheer number of customs and traditions\u00a0involving just the obi\u00a0might be enough to make a foreign-born woman swoon.<\/p>\n

for example…<\/p>\n

There are hundreds of decorative knots and they often represent flowers or birds. \u00a0As everything else in a kimono outfit, the knots are regulated by a number of unwritten propriety rules. \u00a0Generally the more complex and showy knots are for young unmarried women in festive situations, the more subdued for married or mature women or for use in ceremonial situations.<\/p>\n

In earlier days, the knots were believed to banish malicious spirits.<\/p>\n

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<\/p>\n

Meiji Jingu Shrine Sake Barrels<\/h3>\n

 <\/p>\n

As we made our way through the park toward the main shrine, we came upon these beautifully\u00a0decorative straw covered and hand painted sake barrels. They are called kazaridaru<\/em> in Japanese.<\/p>\n

Sake is the bond between the gods and the people in Japan.<\/h4>\n

Sake brewers all over Japan donate an empty decorative barrel, or a bottle of their finest sake each year in order\u00a0to honor the deities enshrined here. The sake itself, is used for ceremonies and festivals. \u00a0In return, the priests pray for prosperity for the brewers.\u00a0Everybody wins.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Across the street from the sake barrels,\u00a0we found these wine barrels\u00a0on display. \u00a0Turns out that Emperor Meiji not only liked western clothing, he also acquired the love of a glass of vin rouge\u00a0with his supper. \u00a0Maybe two glasses. \u00a0This\u00a0eventually led to a tradition of cultural exchange\u00a0between Japan and France.<\/p>\n

About 180 bottles of wine are gifted from about 60 wineries every December from Burgundy, with luxury brands such as Romanee-Conti included on some occasions.<\/p>\n

Thus, one side of the street represents Emperor Meiji’s desire to promote internationalization (Vin Rouge from France) while continuing to uphold Japanese tradition (Sake). \u00a0Harmony.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Japanese Custom Alert:<\/span><\/h4>\n

Excerpt from Japan-Guide.com on etiquette:<\/p>\n

How to visit a shrine<\/h3>\n

Behave calmly and respectfully. Traditionally, you are not supposed to visit a shrine<\/a> if you are sick, have an open wound or are mourning because these are considered causes of impurity.<\/span><\/p>\n

At the purification fountain near the shrine’s entrance, take one of the ladles provided, fill it with fresh water and rinse both hands. Then transfer some water into your cupped hand, rinse your mouth and spit the water beside the fountain. Custom and tradition dictate that you never let the ladle touch your hand or your mouth<\/span>. \u00a0I noticed that quite a few visitors skip the mouth rinsing part or the purification ritual altogether. \u00a0Just thinking of the hoards\u00a0of the faithful who have recently washed their hands there kind is kind of off-putting to me, too.<\/p>\n

At the offering hall, throw a coin into the offering box, bow deeply twice, clap your hands twice, bow deeply once more and pray for a few seconds. If there is some type of gong, use it before praying in order to get the kami<\/a>‘s attention.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

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<\/p>\n

Entrance to the courtyard.<\/p>\n

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These camphor trees, planted in 1920, are known as “Husband and Wife”<\/p>\n

(see below)<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

During pre-trip research I dreamed of taking some pics of some traditional ceremony or rites. \u00a0Dream came true this morning:<\/p>\n

A Shinto Wedding procession<\/h3>\n

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 <\/p>\n

The bride in her traditional white kimono and hood and the groom in his formal black robe, walking together under a big red parasol, with Shinto priests leading the way and the rest of the wedding party trailing behind.<\/p>\n

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I’m shooting fast with whatever setting happened to be \u00a0on my camera. \u00a0Gee, I hope one of these is a nice image… Please?<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

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<\/p>\n

Receiving line: \u00a0Good luck, you two!<\/h3>\n

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<\/p>\n

Bride and groom: \u00a0Your ride’s here…<\/h3>\n

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<\/strong><\/p>\n

This sled imported especially for you from the London Taxi Company<\/strong><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

We passed a kiosk as were leaving the Shrine area. \u00a0These little wooden signs are called ema and are like little votive tablets. \u00a0 Most have prayers or wishes for good health or happiness, success in life, or perhaps good wishes for family and friends.\u00a0 \u00a0 OR, you can get blank ones and write anything\u00a0you wish. \u00a0I remember them being around \u00a5700 (about $7 usd).<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

So much for wisely hanging out at the hotel to rehydrate and recuperate. \u00a0On the other hand, I really did enjoy the party, meeting some people, the shrine, and especially… beginning to learn a few things about<\/p>\n

Japanese Tradition and Custom<\/span><\/h4>\n

 <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

  So… We arrived Tokyo late last night. \u00a0Got a pretty good night’s sleep and today is our wisely planned “day off” to re-adjust our circadian rhythms\u00a0after the flight over from PDX. \u00a0Long hours breathing the incredibly dry cabin air in an airplane can seriously dehydrate you and sap your strength. Shall we just lay … <\/p>\n

Read more “Sakura in Japan – April 1st, Our “Down-day” with nothing to do. Nothing to see in Tokyu”<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":7385,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"om_disable_all_campaigns":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[108],"tags":[119],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"http:\/\/timdurhamphotography.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7275"}],"collection":[{"href":"http:\/\/timdurhamphotography.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"http:\/\/timdurhamphotography.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/timdurhamphotography.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/timdurhamphotography.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=7275"}],"version-history":[{"count":28,"href":"http:\/\/timdurhamphotography.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7275\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":7526,"href":"http:\/\/timdurhamphotography.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7275\/revisions\/7526"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/timdurhamphotography.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/7385"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"http:\/\/timdurhamphotography.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=7275"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/timdurhamphotography.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=7275"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/timdurhamphotography.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=7275"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}