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    Surrounded by beautiful ocean, Okinawa is an island paradise and the way of life is inherently peaceful. 命どぅ宝 (nuchidu takara) is a common saying in the Okinawan language that means One 92 year old woman couldn't attend the protest due to a bad leg. To show her support she filled a rubbish bag with candy, which her friend gave to fellow protesters to keep them energized in the hot and humid summer sun. by: jessewhitehead Views[381] The local elders are some of the strongest opponents of the U.S military presence in Okinawa. Many seniors were alive to experience the Battle of Okinawa, in 1945, which killed a quarter of the civilian population and was the starting point of USA's military build up of Okinawa. A group of elders have been peacefully protesting outside the Henoko site every day for over 10 years. by: jessewhitehead Views[475] Children play in the waters of Oura bay, while protesters take to kayaks in an attempt to block sea drilling. The new base at Henoko is set to become one of the largest in Asia, with a double v-shaped runway extending 200 meters into the ocean. Many people are worried that it will significantly impact an area that is renowned for its natural beauty, and pristine coral reefs that are an important habitat for sea turtles and the endangered dugong. by: jessewhitehead Views[341] An activist outside the construction site of a new U.S. military base addresses a crowd of over 5,000 protesters. Okinawa is Japan's southernmost prefecture and although it only makes up 0.6% of Japan`s total land mass it houses 75% of the country's U.S. military base presence. The newest base is currently under construction in Henoko, Northern Okinawa, as part of a relocation deal to close down the controversial Futenma Air Station in the densely populated Ginowan City. However, many Okinawans are opposed to the plan and want the base moved out of the prefecture altogether. Mr. Onaga, a strong opponent of the relocation plan won the recent prefectural elections by a significant margin campaigning on an anti-base platform. by: jessewhitehead Views[359]
     
    Maiko's like Geisha's are in demand and appointments must be adhered to. As soon as an allotted appointment is finished the Maiko or Geisha will escort her guests to a downstairs bar, she will ensure the room is cleared and her guests are being looked after. Once she has ensured her guests are happy,she will say her final farewells before putting on her Geta's and quickly making her way to her next appointment. by: 2630ben Views[2170] A Maiko or Geiko's job does not end if a guest needs to go to the bathroom. The Maiko is required to converse with the client as he carries out his business. She must make him feel welcome and privileged at all times. This also means she must monitor proceedings in the room. A Maiko will usually position herself so she can ensure everyone is having a great time. If conversation dwindles whilst she is occupied she will order up a new round of drinks. She will suggest a game for the clients to play while they wait for everybody to return to the room. by: 2630ben Views[2288] Entertaining guests is a Geiko's or Maiko's job. Knowing and mastering a number of games to lighten the mood of a tense business meeting is only a small art the Maiko's have to learn. As conversation continues Toshisumi will entertain herself with one of her games. If she senses a lull in proceedings or if tempers are running high she will interject and begin playing a game with a guest. A few drinks will follow before the guests are allowed back to their conversations or back to business. by: 2630ben Views[2416] To welcome and relax her clients Toshisumi performs a short welcoming dance. This short performance keeps her guests entertained whilst the tea house staff prepare and deliver everybody their drinks. Each Maiko will practice one form of dance and each form is a narration of an ancient Japanese tale. Only once the Maiko has perfected a dance is she allowed to move onto a more detailed and evocative dance. by: 2630ben Views[2523] As we entered the room we were greeted by Toshisumi. Elegantly presented she welcomes her clients with a smile and a shallow bow of her head. Maiko's or apprentice Geiko's (commonly known as Geisha's) are required to greet their clients from a sitting position. As they are not true masters of the Geiko arts they are not allowed to greet the guests at the tea house door. by: 2630ben Views[2536]
     
    Late train from Koenji. Every seat taken. Alone in a big city. But it felt like even they were absolutely alone. Neat solitude. by: asfalttango Views[653] Man with his daughter. Playing with her hair. The train was nearly empty. It was so soothing and calming. by: asfalttango Views[659] Tokyo, one of the most fascinating cities in the world with one of the most tangled and extensive subway systems. My home for six months. How could I get to know this metropolis without understanding and taming the mysterious bloodstream running through its veins? At first I thought of this project as a documentation of my trips and emotions associated with the novelty of the city, culture and people. There were a lot of amazements, fun, confusion, but under a colorful mixture of the past and the future I saw also something more profound. An inner life of the city. A vulnerable present marked by something difficult to name. I took Go's I took this encircling strategy not to control, but to explore, observe, experience and be challenged by the city. by: asfalttango Views[761] The road through Fushimi Inari Shrine is littered with smaller shrines along the way, decorated with these miniature red torii gates left by visitors. by: melhattie Views[403] Feral cats sleeping in the woods near temple grounds in Kyoto. by: melhattie Views[726]
     
    A Japanese Macaque monkey, often known simply as 'saru'. Many live in the mountains around Japan. by: melhattie Views[749] A couple drives through downtown Kyoto in their vintage, 60's era Volkswagen Beetle. by: melhattie Views[956] Wagashi, a sweet summer treat made from azuki bean paste. Often served with green tea and eaten with a bamboo skewer by: melhattie Views[703] In the midst of all the tragedy, there seems such determination, such hope, such amazing resilience. I met people who had lost everything to the tsunami, but smiled and talked about the future in a truly humbling way. At Peace Jam the mothers can bring their children to work (saving on childcare costs) earn a decent income, and bond. I spoke to a few of the women, who told me they love working at Peace Jam because it is a healing environment to be in, gives them hope, friendship and a much-needed wage and that they are endlessly thankful for Mr. Sato’s help. by: hollie_h Views[467] Around 80% of businesses were destroyed in Kesennuma, so the plight now remains: there is just no work. Enter Ken Sato, a man who is making a real difference. After the tsunami hit, he said he felt like it was the end of the world. He looked around and saw the plight of people all around him, particularly mothers with young babies. So he decided to do something about it. He began simply – by asking people what they needed (milk, diapers) and driving to other towns to find it for them. When demand increased and more people became interested, he began a blog where people could list what they needed and others could list what they had for offer, and he began distributing these regularly. Soon after he realized the biggest need was employment. So being the entrepreneur he is, he used his savings to start his own NGO called Peace Jam, a jam making factory and a small sewing factory, where he hires mothers with children. by: hollie_h Views[461]
     
    I couldn’t believe the tragedy: whole towns were wiped out by the tsunami, flattened to the ground. With this photo, I wanted to capture the haunting, eeriness that came from seeing hundreds of foundations of buildings, like skeletons. Flowers are left huddles together where homes once stood, and in the ironically peaceful, beautiful backdrop, those houses that were lucky enough to withstand the tsunami look on. by: hollie_h Views[307] Opposite one of the only remaining buildings still standing in this area (a 6 story hotel where nothing remains except an empty shell from the 5th story down, showing just how high the wave was) was a space where a baseball pitch used to be. It was very quiet here, very calm. A flock of birds flew by just after I took this photo and together with the still floodwater and rolling hills almost made the scene seem peaceful. The harsh reminder of reality comes in the form of four floodlights, standing like lonely sentinels, the only notable thing that pierces the now desolate horizon. by: hollie_h Views[313] The March 2011 Pacific Coast Earthquake and Tsunami was truly devastating. I recently got to visit areas in the Miyagi province ruined by the disaster, like Kesennuma. When this ship loomed out of the dusk as we drove through the devastated city, I could do nothing but gasp and a cold feeling washed over me. Asking to stop the car, I got out and noticed the ship completely blocked off an entire side road, lying across it like an eerie blockade, surrounded by a makeshift shrine with flowers. I couldn’t grasp the sheer vastness of it but my Japanese colleague explained it had been one of many, many ships, some even bigger, that had been catapulted inland with the almighty tsunami. The rest were removed eventually, but this one remains as a memorial, a decision that has divided local residents: some feel it is a poignant reminder of all those that lost their lives, others feel it is too painful to see it everyday. by: hollie_h Views[897] In the famous Harajuku District in Tokyo by: angieallover Views[469] Tsujiki Fish Market, Tokyo by: angieallover Views[444]
     
    Tsujiki Fish Market, Tokyo by: angieallover Views[374] Toji Temple in Kyoto by: angieallover Views[292] Asakusa, Tokyo by: angieallover Views[314] Snow Lovers: This cozy snow-couple is backlit from a small candle-filled cave, set into the deep snow drifts along the plowed paths. There are many love-themed nooks, some with benches for couples to pose for photographs of themselves, as this annual winter event is held around Valentine's Day. It's timed to coincide with the nearby Sapporo Snow Festival , which draws a large international crowd to Japan's northern-most island of Hokkaido. by: portlandvagabond Views[4993] Magic Canal: Like the climax at the end of a symphony, Otaru's canal is often the finale to a magical evening, as most visitors arrive by train, then wind their way downhill from the station along paths leading to the warehouse district along the canal. After exploring several blocks of illuminated ice globes, log cabins, snow-hearts, jack-o-lanterns, and other creative displays, one can sip tea while enjoying an outdoor concert on a bridge looking back on a scene such as the one shown here. by: portlandvagabond Views[1215]
     
    Keeper of the Flame: One of the light keepers of the Snow Light Path patches a melted hole with snow from his dish. This annual winter event in the northern Japanese port town of Otaru features several miles of paths lined with decorated candles, slides for kids, and alter-like displays such as the one shown here. His reward for this work in the cold night air is the joyful squeals of children as they explore around each bend in the path. by: portlandvagabond Views[1238] Enchanted: A young girl is captivated by the flame of the candles along one stretch of the path. Displays range from candles decorated with delicate leaves and flowers to simple stacks of snowballs surrounding a few votive candles for effect. by: portlandvagabond Views[1347] Tsukiji connoisseurs of Tuna, from market to plate. by: nicolewhite Views[188] Osaka, Japan by: notavacation Views[275] View of Furumachi-dori in Niigata, Japan. My home for one year. by: notavacation Views[285]
     
    Typing of the Dead! My favorite video game - ever. by: notavacation Views[880] One of the many temples I visited in Kyoto. by: notavacation Views[246] Tokyo, Japan by: llcooljew Views[243] Kyoto, Japan by: llcooljew Views[219] Tokyo, Japan by: llcooljew Views[235]
     
    A snapshot during Coming of Age Ceremony, hiphop girl in beautiful kimono by: abee1980 Views[1624] Farmers we meet during rice harvesting my favorite photo. by: abee1980 Views[348] Naked Man Festival, shinto festival for Goodluck and Good Harvest by: abee1980 Views[1472] Night view from Washington Hotel Shinjuku by: abee1980 Views[462] Snapshot of daily commuters in Tokyo Station by: abee1980 Views[344]
     
    Gimme a Break! by: aostafichuk Views[472]     

     

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