the view from japan

ume

05 Feb 2010 | hugh ashton | comments

ume is usually translated as “plum”, but apparently these trees (梅) are closer to apricots than plums, if you want to be pedantic about it. They’re the first splash of color after New Year, and they make you feel that spring is in the air. The skies are blue, the air is dry, and the smell of these things is heavenly. Then it starts to snow… and you know winter is still with us. But ume remain as a symbol of the time of year, and in many ways are preferable to the rather more vulgar cherry blossoms. Apparently at one time hanami (flower viewing) referred to ume, and not cherry.

This is, of course, two photos (of different ume trees) with some elementary Photoshopping. The sky is untouched, though – it really was that color that day.

fuyu

29 Jan 2010 | hugh ashton | comments

fuyu (冬) – winter – not much more to add to this…

yamabushi taking the train

25 Jan 2010 | james a. jack | comments

A Shugenja (Yamabushi) on his way to Kyoto.

sake

22 Jan 2010 | hugh ashton | comments

sake forms an integral part of many Japanese festivals. At New Year, many people drink a rather sweetened warmed sake, but this (I think) is the ordinary stuff, though served from a golden “teapot” at Hachiman, Kamakura. I really took this for the smile, though.

city of the living, city of the dead

18 Jan 2010 | james a. jack | 1 comment

Kyoto cityscape as seen from a Buddhist graveyard.

koma-inu

15 Jan 2010 | hugh ashton | 5 comments

Although these beasts in front of Shinto shrines are called koma-inu (dogs), they’re actually closer to the Chinese lions that guard temples. One says “A” with his mouth open, and the other says “N” with her mouth closed.

This was taken close to our house. I desaturated the background to increase the 3D effect of the statue popping out of the picture.