2012-05-06

Super Moon


Super Moon


Took hundred of shots with a Nikon D3100 and tripod.


Only three shots turned out OK. Night photography is quite challenging!

2012-05-02

Foxes


Foxes are believed to be messengers for the Gods on mountaintops.


My guess is that the "foxes" enshrined here can be asked to deliver prayers to the Gods.

Nezu Shrine, Tokyo

Dusty Bridge


Love the contrast of green hues, dark reds, and black. Notice the small arched bridge that leads to the inner court of the main hall.


The dust and dirt gives the fence and nice old touch.

Nezu Shrine, Tokyo

Tiny Torii


Had to lay down on the ground to take this shot with my Nikon D60. I wish I had a D3500!


I am kind of glad that not all the torii gates are kept in mint condition. The rotting wood and peeling paint adds a nice sense of old Japan.


My guess is that the kanji characters written on each pole of these torii gates are the names of individual or corporate patrons of the shrine who made donations. I've heard that to have your name on any part of the shrine would bring good fortune.


The is first row of torii gates follows along a stone path where you turn and take a turn and follow another "tunnel" of red torii gates.

Nezu Shrine, Tokyo

Bronze Azalea


Was so lucky to arrive on a rainy day. It really helped add a nice effect to varying hues of bronze greenish blue to the rooftops.


More tiny torii gates among the azalea bushes.


View of another rooftop through the azalea bushes.

Nezu Shrine, Tokyo

Trunk


A busload of tourists arrived and promptly put up their umbrellas. I wish I were a kid again -- I would have enjoyed playing hide-and-seek among the shrubbery.



I like that they use a simple rope to keep visitors from straying from the pathways. It's nice to see places that still use wooden poles instead of steel or concrete poles.


This shot doesn't truly show the immense size of this tree. You can slightly compare it with the house in the background on the left.

Nezu Shrine, Tokyo

Roofing


One of my favorite things about visiting a shrine is the fact that you can see huge, old trees. The greenery and the red and black paint offer a wonderful contrast.



Even the fencing around the main hall of the shrine has its own little roofing. A lot of painstaking work just to keep part of a fence dry.


Different materials used for the roofing present a range of hues that we normally cannot see unless the shingles are wet from the rain. 

Nezu Shrine, Tokyo