Category: Kyoto

The Take #1: Plum Blossoms at Kitano Tenmangu Temple, Kyoto

12/16/2018

TITLE
Plum Blossoms at Kitano Tenmangu Temple, Kyoto

STORY
Kitano Tenmangu Shrine in Kyoto holds a monthly temple sale on the 25th of each month. I had wanted to visit for many years and finally everything aligned so we could go. On the drive there my husband told me that the shrine was famous for plum blossoms and that we would probably be able to see some. I didn't believe him. It was the end of February, after all, and my Canadian brain could not conceive of anything blooming that time of year. Well, as you can see, I was mistaken. The plum blossoms were spectacular! I was still struggling with my camera at that time and so I fumbled with the settings and muttered under my breath as I tried my best. To my great surprise, once I got home and looked at the images on my computer, I discovered I had some that were worth keeping. I'm very happy with the photos from this day but I always see them as a bit of a fluke.

WHAT I WAS THINKING

Plum blossoms already?! I had no idea they bloomed so early!
Gosh, they are so beautiful! Look at that dark pink!
Let's see if I can get the whole lantern in there...
I haven't got a clue what I should be doing with this camera. X%&2&#"!!
Man, it's cold...

CAMERA DETAILS

ISO 1600
30mm
0 ev
f/5.6
1/2000

More about "The Take" Series here.

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Wishing...

11/21/2018

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It's such a beautiful time of year. The air is crisp, the sky is blue, and the fall foliage is spectacular. Unfortunately, it's also the busiest time of year for me and so, on most days, I sit in my office and look wistfully out the window.

Thankfully, last weekend I managed to get to Kyoto for a few hours. We went early in the day and were able to avoid the worst of the crowds. It was only a few hours and left me wanting so much more.

Ah... So wishing fall lasted longer and I had more free time.

(This is the very first shot from that visit to Kyoto. It was a little early yet - the trees were only just starting to change.)

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Black & White

11/10/2018

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Several blog posts ago I mentioned that I had entered some photos in the LensCulture Black & White Photography Awards. At the time I only posted one photo and a link to my FB photo page which would then take you to a another link where you could view my entries on the LensCulture site. On hindsight, that was a few too many hoops to jump through - and to see rather small images at that.

So, here are my entries. Since Lensculture's only stipulation was that the entries be in black & white, there is no unified theme. I simply chose some of my favorite black and white images. All of them were taken when I was out and about (nothing staged), and all were taken close to my home in Osaka except for the lantern photo. That was taken when I was on a trip to Singapore.

Unfortunately, if I add captions to the photos, it cuts off part of the image so here are the photo details.

Sun + Breeze, Namba Parks, Osaka
Rope at the Kanji Museum, Kyoto
Chrysanthemum, Local Shrine, Osaka
Baby Cactus, My Garden, Osaka
Rose + Rain, Nakanoshima Rose Garden, Osaka
Chinese Lanterns, Singapore

Enjoy! (^.^)/

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Kintano Tenmangu Temple Sale

10/26/2018

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October 25th was an absolutely gorgeous day - blue sky, perfect temperature and low humidity. One of my Japanese colleagues told me that she had heard a weather forecaster predict it would be the finest day of the year. I believe it!

Although terribly busy, I decided to go to Kyoto in the morning to visit the Kitano Tenmangu Temple sale. After all, life is too short to spend one of the nicest days of the year doing house chores and marking homework. Right? A close friend who lives in Kyoto had never been to the sale before and so off we went.

Since it was a Thursday, and we were there early, it wasn't too crowded and we wandered along exploring the various stalls and offerings. I love the quirky combination of old and new, and junk and treasures. I've been many times but it never gets old. My downfall is always the plants and the obis. Just how many does one need? Apparently, the answer is MORE!

I didn't take many photos since I have learned that many vendors do not appreciate photos being taken. (I use a prime lens and I like close-ups so I can't do it from a distance.) However, these might give you taste of what kind of day it was...

I was standing under a HUGE tree on the temple grounds and then I looked up...
One of the lanterns near the side entrance...

If you are ever in Kyoto on the 25th of any month - yes, even on Christmas Day - I highly recommend a visit to the Kitano Tenmangu Temple sale. Go early and plan to spend at least 2 hours. And no need to buy a thing!

Yeah, good luck with that! (^.~)/

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The Take #1: Plum Blossoms at Kitano Tenmangu Temple, Kyoto

Wishing...

Black & White

Kintano Tenmangu Temple Sale

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