Everywhere: People: Michael Ignatov

Hikone-jo Tenshu uploaded on 29 July 2008

The tenshu (main keep) of Hikone-jo, or Hikone Castle, was originally part of Otsu Castle and five-storied. It became a three-storied structure after its move to Hikone. The top floor has a few lotus petal-shaped windows, considered unique.

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Panning at Umeda uploaded on 28 July 2008

Friday night near the Hankyu line at Umeda Station, Osaka.

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Bowling for Sun at America Mura uploaded on 21 July 2008

Sunrise over the America-mura neighborhood of Osaka as seen from my hotel. The building in the center reads Sun Bowl which, judging by the large bowling pin above it, designates it as a bowling alley.

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Excursion to 33 uploaded on 20 July 2008

Students run alongside the Sanjusangen-do, or the Hall of 33 pillars. Taking pictures inside is prohibited. There are magnificent statues of Kannon, the Buddhist deity of mercy, carved out of wood, all 1001 of them. Only a few of the originals remain, the rest burned in a fire and were remade.

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33 Latitude uploaded on 20 July 2008

The name Sanjusangen-do means the "Hall of 33 Spaces (between pillars)," and refers the the architecture of this temple. In practical terms this translates into a narrow, but very long structure.

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Sanjusangen-do Panorama uploaded on 19 July 2008

The name Sanjusangen-do means the "Hall of 33 Spaces (between pillars)," and refers the the architecture of this temple. In practical terms this translates into a narrow, but very long structure.

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Sanjusangen-do uploaded on 19 July 2008

The sign reads "Sanjusangen-do," or the "Hall of 33 Spaces (between pillars)," which refers to the architecture of this temple. Its official name is Rengeo-in (Temple of the Lotus King) and it was built by Taira no Kiyamori on behalf of the retired emperor Go-Shirakawa in 1164. This hall houses 1001 magnificent Kannon statues carved out of Japanese cypress. Famous Kamakura sculptor Tankei fashioned the main statue. The hall suffered a fire in 1249 leaving only 124 of the original statues, the rest were remade in the 13th century. Photography is prohibited inside.

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Nanpa-Bashi uploaded on 18 July 2008

This bridge has more names than an international arms trafficker. Ebisu-bashi, Hikkake-bashi, Nanpa-bashi. This area is famous for its restaurants (the billboard of the famous crab place, Kani Doraku, can be seen in at the bottom), nightlife, and the generally glitzy ambiance. Called "Nanpa-bashi" in popular parlance, this is believed to be the premier place to pick up girls, but most of the young gentlemen exercising their "nanpa" skills here--nanpa means "pick-up" in a romantic sense--are either working for a host bar or an adult video company. Looking south.

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Second Torii uploaded on 18 July 2008

The second torii stands in front of the Main gate at the entrance to Fushimi Inari Taisha. The first torii (ichi no torii) is across the street from the Inari train station, the other 20,000 smaller torii are further in. This is a huge complex of Shinto shrines (and the head shrine) dedicated to Inari, the kami of rice, agriculture, fertility, industry, and foxes (the ones of the white variety act as the kami's messengers). The main gate is pictured in the background flanked by two fox statues, many more such statures are peppered throughout the mountain.

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Inside Main Gate uploaded on 17 July 2008

School children along with their teacher pass the Main Gate of Fushimi Inari Taisha, a popular school trip destination. Looking back from the Main Gate is the second torii and first torii (ichi no torii), which demarcates the sacred area of the shrine complex from the profane street.

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Michael’s travelogue