Tokyo people
I was patiently waiting for the moment, woman was looking away from me, and I was photographing beautiful back of her kimono when suddenly she turned and calmly looked at me. After pressing shutter I smiled and lightly bent and so did she.
I was very fortunate to spend a week in Tokyo in November 2008. It was my first time in Asia and of course I was overwhelmed and at the same time reassured in richness and uniqueness of Japanese culture. My main concern was not to be intrusive into people's everyday activites, and I was very polite when taking photos and bowing slightly in respect. Here are some of my photographs.
Morning commuters, clad in black, silent and very organized. Though during rush hours first two cars are for women only, to prevent inappropriate behavior.
There's no better place to apply makeup as in moving train in early morning!
I really enjoyed seeing so many people wearing traditional clothes in the city. November is a month when children are celebrated. It calls "Shichigosan" that means Seven-Five-Three. Girls of age 3 and 7 and boys of age 3 and 5 dressed in the most beautiful kimonos and parents bring them to big temples and ask for health and long prosperous life.
Odd numbers are considered lucky in Japan.
November is a popular month for weddings. I felt like being part of woodcut print!
Photo assistants are making final adjustments for family photo.
I witnessed the process of making new episode of popular TV show in the middle of the park.
People were protesting against smoking on the streets. It was a big surprise to see so many people are smoking in Tokyo. Even McDonalds has a section for smokers. And near big street intersections there are huge wents for people to smoke around.
Chefs making food in front of big windows,
...street vendors happy to pose,
...pandas dancing under rain,
...chrysanthemum admirers,
...school girls going home,
...monk with eyes closed walking down Ginza street,
...Harajuku fashion aficionados,
...and salarymen trying to get on a train.
This is my "regular luck", at least readings at the temple said so. I hope my luck will bring me to Japan again. Even if I often was literally "Lost in Translation", exploring Tokyo was a great adventure. Here is my gallery of images from Japan. Enjoy!
