Sunday, January 17, 2010

Japan Series - Miscellany 2


Painting on wood at the Ninna-ji Temple.  Surprisingly unprotected perhaps due to its provenance.  Until modern times, the Japanese wrote with a brush rather than a pen, and painting was their preferred artistic expression.
At shrines and temples, stone objects are inscribed. Here, the two characters at the base of a stone lantern mean "offer light".  There are other magnificent inscriptions on large stone tablets to the entrance of shrines and temples. 
The willow lined banks at Matsue.  There are parts of Japan that are off the beaten tracks, and in the winter season, they are perfect for exploring.  At these places, the tempo of life is less aggressive than the big cities, and the welcome is more sincere.

Often I had trouble in distinguishing the genders at first glance.  This technician was customizing mobile phones at the Tempozan market place at Osaka.