Japanorama
Matt, Keiko and Emi’s 2007 adventure.
At the end of January, after a relaxing period of preparation, Matt, Keiko and Emi set off on a tour of their ancestral sites. This is a stimulating account of their experience(s).
galleries you can view : | Rides (wet) | Rides (dry) |
Blossomania
Blossom is lovely and loved. After a hard winter it signifies the arrival of spring, of new, burgeoning life, of fresh hope and a better world, free of pain and torment, full of wonder and goodness and beauty.
Blossom is ephemeral, its staggering gorgeiosity lasts for less than a fleeting fortnight, so we must sieze the opportunity, live in the present, not cower behind the stultifying possibilities of a disdainful future, but leap madly into the moment and bask in blossom's mad opulence and joyful excesses.
Blossom often smells nice as well.
Japanese people understand blossom. Weather reports in Japan show where the cherry blossom is blooming and the people go to it and sit under it and look up at it and drink and snack.
Did you notice? At the time of writing (15 March) it's not cherry blossom time yet! I'm feeling sick with excitement, but Keiko and Emi are helping me with wise counsel.
Luckily this area is currently stuffed with other blossom, this page shows the delightful range of plum blossom that can be viewed.
I greatly fear a premature peaking of personal blossom happiness.
Here's some more blossom.
Emi likes blossom too.
This is the Nagashibina ritual at Shimogamo shrine, where little dolls are floated down a river to take away people's sins.
It was very busy and very pretty and it had blossom.
The ceremony was very serious, with four priests and two people representing a girl and boy doll, all dressed in ancient, traditional costume.
The priests chanted sacred incarnations and solemnly processed down to the river to reverently place the first dolls into the water.
The two people dressed as traditional dolls then carefully lowered their dolls into the river as the priests continued to chant.
Then riceball man did the same - although he actually dropped his in and almost fell in after it.
(We later found out that Mr Riceball was actually Mr Kyoto Tower).
Hooray for blossom.
Next: EMI MEETS TOP GEISHA!
Japanorama: Matt, Keiko and Emi’s 2007 adventure |