Random...Tokyo

Tokyo shots.

Fertility Festival and Mothers Day

Once every two years is Fertility festival in Japan. Only certain family members can be privillaged to carry the Shrine of Fertility all the way into the Temple. The ceremony is thousands of years old.

The experience is overwhelming.




Every city participates in this tradition. The entire family comes out to watch the festivities.




Japanese drummers - post festival entertainment..


Carrying the shrine into the temple....it's hard work.

Back in Japan after the week in SF and the Tri

Back in Tokyo after a great week in SF and completing my first Tri in Napa Valley! So excited to have done it.

1/2 mile swim.. in 60 degree water, with no wetsuit (bad idea) photo taken on the way to T1.

15 mile rolling hill ride....great views.

Abbott Vascular Japan Sponsors MAWJ Charity Marathon

Make a Wish Japan Charity Marathon event.

Abbott Vascular Japan takes a photo - post race.

Crossing the finish line....

Great experience, and my first organized race in Japan!

Traditions to visiting the Buddist Temple's & Shrines

Almost every temple & shrine in Japan has what they call "goshuin" ごしゅいん。Each Temple has it's own goshuin (red-seal stamp and caligraphy kanji) and they are unique drawings of the Kanji character that represents what the temple is famous for or what they are know for. Each of these pieces are unique and hand-written with several red-seals that represent the symbol of the shrine. It is quite fasinating and beautiful....and great collections of Art, History and Buddhist traditions in Japan.



Making the goshuin. Photo of making the caligraphy kanji and seal. They sell special books for them, you can purchase at the temple and start collecting.



Variations on goshuin seen below.


My friend Midori told me about this and now I'm a collector.。。。

Kyoto Trips

Sleeping on the Nite bus was not fun at all, 11:30 departure and arriving at 6:45AM....little sleep, narrow seats and well little sleep. We started early and saw 7 temples and shrines, will update with the names later.

Yuko and I pose in front of Golden Temple.





Goin, Kyoto. Where the Maiko's work.


Sakura garden: Iris, Midori, Yuko

Weekend in Kyoto

Tonite I leave from Tokyo Station to Kyoto by Nite Bus or in Japanese "Yakubasu".
After Karaoke in Hiroo I'll be heading to Ningyocho to catch a taxi to Tokyo eki then meet up with Midori, Yuko and others for a fun weekend in Kyoto. Former Capital of Japan. I'll be posting a million photos on Sunday nite......stay tunned.


Maiko's in Goin, Kyoto.