The maiko (apprentice geisha) Fukuya prepares to open the Reitaisai Hono Buyo Festival at the Heian Shrine.  Dances were performed by four of Kyoto's five kagai (geisha) districts in dedication to the arrival of spring.  Text and photography by Michael Chandler (momoyama) on Flickr

gyaos55’s fotolife - “The weeping gorgeous illuminated with Kyoto Shimbun LED Photo Contest”

*和 by fangchun15 on Flickr.

Japanese street artist Jun Kitagawa uses zippers, both painted and sculpted, to playfully suggest the idea that our surroundings are merely a surface layer that can be peeled back so we may explore whatever lies beneath.

Johnny Strategy writes:

So what do you think, if you happened upon a giant zipper on a wall, street, or even a lake, would you go head and unzip it? You never know what sorts of awesomeness might be on the other side.

Click here to learn more about the artwork of Jun Kitagawa.

[via Neatorama]

Autumn Arches, Japan

photo via ribbons

Buttress roots of looking-glass mangrove in Yanbaru jungle, Okinawa, Japan

A rare vintage photograph of an onna-bugeisha, one of the female warriors of the upper social classes in feudal Japan.

Often mistakenly referred to as “female samurai”, female warriors have a long history in Japan, beginning long before samurai emerged as a warrior class.

Mt. Fuji, Japan

Japan’s Spectacular Tunnels of Light.

If you happen to be in Japan from now until March 31st, 2013, be sure to check out one of Japan’s most stunning displays of light called Winter Illuminations at Nabana no Sato, a botanical garden turned light theme park on the island of Nagashima in Kuwana. Opened just yesterday, it’s already been called one of the best winter light shows in all of Japan. The park really outdoes itself by using millions of sparkling LED’s all over the vast grounds including on the water and in the gardens. This years theme is ‘nature’ and it promises gorgeous scenes including a beautiful sunrise inspired by Mt. Fuji at dawn, a rainbow across the sky, and even an aurora. The stars of the show are the famous walk-through tunnels of light that completely envelop the viewer, making it seem as if they’re walking through bright, magical portals.

Via My Modern Met.

Sakura Mountains Yoshino, Japan ~ Photo by Paul Hillier

Green Leaves (by manganite)

Taken in the park of the Teien art museum in Tokyo, Japan

¤미소녀 팩토리¤ : [YS-web] Vol.176 Kaho(夏帆) (24p+6p)

(by Chen Qu)

I feel like we need some clarification

petalorum:

lovestoryinhistory: