Dragon and Koto Player
(Oujji Shrine near Honzei fishing port, Shizuoka Pref., Japan)
Wooden carving of a dragon and a person playing a koto (Japanese stringed instrument). I have seen hundreds of shrines over the decades, but this was the first time I saw a koto player next to a dragon.
Although the symbolism varies from shrine to shrine, dragons are often a symbol of happiness and are often associated with water. Accordingly, dragon heads are often used to disperse water at the temizuya near the entrance of shrines where you wash your hands and rinse your mouth before praying or worshiping at the worship hall of the shrine.
According to the Kokugakuin University website, dragons in some folk religions were worshiped as a sea deity by fishermen who believe the dragon was responsible for safe ocean passage and abundant catches on the sea.
I wish I could have visited with a local person near this shrine to learn more about this particular shrine and why a person is playing a koto next to the dragon.
Fujifilm X100V (23 mm)
ISO 3200 for 1/30 sec. at ƒ/16
Classic Negative film simulation
[2016 Malaysian Grand Prix, nico and lewis at a school children event in malaysia, merc's petronas home base, and lewis calls nico the other driver. the interview introduces nico as unbelievably fast.]
Nico: Happy to be here! Unbelievable is much better than being called 'the other driver.' Thank you for the very warm—
Lewis: He said that there's two drivers here so—
Nico: Don't worry, it's okay. I'm home. I won't take it personally. Well, thank you very muc—
A little old lady making her way past a typical urban police box (koban/交番) near Sakuragicho Station in central Yokohama, Japan. Note the police officer’s bicycle on the right, which has a little white box behind the bicycle seat for documents the officer will use when doing work on-site, including passing out parking tickets.
Although there are police stations like what you’d find in the West with administrative offices, jailing facilities, etc., most interactions with the police in Japan occur at your local koban, which are spread throughout the city and are often located in convenient areas where there is typically a lot of foot traffic.
The sign on this koban shows what police station has jurisdiction over this koban, and then lists the name of the koban:
“Kanagawa Prefecture Isezaki Police Station”
“Sakuragicho Station-Front Koban”
If you ever lose your wallet, bag, camera, etc., on a park bench, on the street, etc., please visit the local koban first. If the lost item is found by a Good Samaritan, this is where they will take your item in hopes of finding the owner.
Before the advent of cell phones with maps, I often used kobans to ask the police for help whenever I got lost and needed some directions in finding my way back home. I have also been fortunate to have my wallet returned to me by a stranger who turned it into the local koban.
Fujifilm X100V (23 mm) with 5% diffusion filter
ISO 1250 for 1/160 sec. at ƒ/5.6
Classic Negative film simulation
I think the biggest surprise reading Dracula is that Bram Stoker really said 'Actually, wolves are good. Not as good as dogs, but they got the spirit. If not for This Jerk running around, they wouldn't bother anyone'
Now you see me - Classic Negative film by Liang Li
Via Flickr:
A cute baby goat staring at me and (s)he must be curious if my fujifilm camera tastes as good as it looks. Ok, so I am gonna present this photo with my fav film simulation - classic negative and I absolutely love its rendering,