• 1 The three proverbial monkeys decorate a 17th century pavilion within the Toshogu Shrine, Nikko1 The three proverbial monkeys decorate a 17th century pavilion within the Toshogu Shrine, Nikko
  • 2 One of the benevolent Nio kings guarding the gate to the first enclosure of the Toshogu Shrine, housing the ashes of Shogun Ieyasu, scion of the Tokugawa dynasty2 One of the benevolent Nio kings guarding the gate to the first enclosure of the Toshogu Shrine, housing the ashes of Shogun Ieyasu, scion of the Tokugawa dynasty
  • 03 Within the Toshogu Shrine, twin bell and gong towers contain these instruments– one denoting birth, the other death03 Within the Toshogu Shrine, twin bell and gong towers contain these instruments– one denoting birth, the other death
  • 4 In a mikoshi, or portable shrine, Ieyasu’s spirit emerges from the Yomei-mon, second gate of his shrine. Twice a year it is carried in procession through the precincts of his shrine4 In a mikoshi, or portable shrine, Ieyasu’s spirit emerges from the Yomei-mon, second gate of his shrine. Twice a year it is carried in procession through the precincts of his shrine
  • 5 The young archer guards one side of the Yomeimon, while his venerable partner guards the other side5 The young archer guards one side of the Yomeimon, while his venerable partner guards the other side
  • 6 This very un-Japanese basket of flowers adds a note of exoticism to the Yomei-mon, second gate to Ieyasu’s shrine6 This very un-Japanese basket of flowers adds a note of exoticism to the Yomei-mon, second gate to Ieyasu’s shrine
  • 7 Three gated enclosures surround the Toshogu Shrine. This gallery within the second enclosure sheltered waiting nobles who came to pay their respects to Ieyasu at the major and minor festivals7 Three gated enclosures surround the Toshogu Shrine. This gallery within the second enclosure sheltered waiting nobles who came to pay their respects to Ieyasu at the major and minor festivals
  • 8 Celestial maiden plays her flute on the pavilion’s ceiling where Ieyasu’s mikoshi is kept between processions. Toshogu Shrine, Nikko8 Celestial maiden plays her flute on the pavilion’s ceiling where Ieyasu’s mikoshi is kept between processions. Toshogu Shrine, Nikko
  • 9 As Tokugawa princes look on, Ieyasu’s mikoshi is set down in the Otabisho, at the midpoint of the procession. Toshogu Shrine, Nikko, 19579 As Tokugawa princes look on, Ieyasu’s mikoshi is set down in the Otabisho, at the midpoint of the procession. Toshogu Shrine, Nikko, 1957
  • 10 An interminable stairway leads to Iemitsu’s mausoleum. Iemitsu, the third shogun of the Tokugawa dynasty is remembered for his extirpation of Christianity from Kyushu10 An interminable stairway leads to Iemitsu’s mausoleum. Iemitsu, the third shogun of the Tokugawa dynasty is remembered for his extirpation of Christianity from Kyushu
  • 11 Detail of a bronze cast lantern at Iemitsu’s mausoleum. Iemitsu extracted lavish gifts for the Tokugawa shrines to subdue all possible opposition from competing daimyos in the 17th century11 Detail of a bronze cast lantern at Iemitsu’s mausoleum. Iemitsu extracted lavish gifts for the Tokugawa shrines to subdue all possible opposition from competing daimyos in the 17th century
  • 12 Vermilion gates guard the access to Kyomizu Dera, a vast temple overlooking Kyoto, reputed for its pure cold water spring12 Vermilion gates guard the access to Kyomizu Dera, a vast temple overlooking Kyoto, reputed for its pure cold water spring
  • 13 A more contemporary aspect of Kyoto13 A more contemporary aspect of Kyoto
  • 14 Porcelain fanciers come to search for treasures at the huge Gojo Street Fair in Kyoto which draws potters from all over Japan14 Porcelain fanciers come to search for treasures at the huge Gojo Street Fair in Kyoto which draws potters from all over Japan
  • 15 The cowl over the headdress of a Japanese bride is supposed to hide her horns of jealousy. Kyoto wedding15 The cowl over the headdress of a Japanese bride is supposed to hide her horns of jealousy. Kyoto wedding
  • 16 A geisha in the Sannenkaza district of Kyoto16 A geisha in the Sannenkaza district of Kyoto
  • 17 The Ginkakuji, or Silver Pavilion, is nestled in a beautifully tended moss garden in the heart of Kyoto17 The Ginkakuji, or Silver Pavilion, is nestled in a beautifully tended moss garden in the heart of Kyoto
  • 18 The roofs of Hosho-ji, one of Kyoto’s temples, under a pelting rain18 The roofs of Hosho-ji, one of Kyoto’s temples, under a pelting rain
  • 19 Gray fired clay undulating roof tiles are typical, this one is at Nanzenji, one of Kyoto’s loveliest shrines19 Gray fired clay undulating roof tiles are typical, this one is at Nanzenji, one of Kyoto’s loveliest shrines
  • 20 The corbelled construction at To-ji, Kyoto’s oldest shrine20 The corbelled construction at To-ji, Kyoto’s oldest shrine
  • 21 An egret landed on the lawn of 17th century Katsura Villa in Kyoto considered the epitome of Japanese elegance21 An egret landed on the lawn of 17th century Katsura Villa in Kyoto considered the epitome of Japanese elegance
  • 22 A huge Buddha sits at the center of the Byodoin Temple in Uji, shaped like a phoenix landing on a lake22 A huge Buddha sits at the center of the Byodoin Temple in Uji, shaped like a phoenix landing on a lake
  • 23 Monks running to their duties at the very Chinese Buddhist monastery of Manpukuji23 Monks running to their duties at the very Chinese Buddhist monastery of Manpukuji
  • 24 The head priest of the Imperial Shrine at Hakone24 The head priest of the Imperial Shrine at Hakone
  • 25 Shinto priests of the Imperial Shrine at Hakone pose for a formal photograph25 Shinto priests of the Imperial Shrine at Hakone pose for a formal photograph
  • 26 At the Great Buddha of Kamakura, grandpa and grandson sit on a foundation stone of the temple which enclosed it, but was swept away by a tsunami26 At the Great Buddha of Kamakura, grandpa and grandson sit on a foundation stone of the temple which enclosed it, but was swept away by a tsunami