Shades of Red

by Robert George, Dec 23, 2002 | Destinations: Japan / Tokyo
Transportation workers in Japan are held to impeccable standards of safety, precision and punctuality. Trains and buses arrive and depart with near-perfect timing. The drivers are neat and trim in their crisp uniforms, and of course, the ubiquitous white gloves.

Transportation workers in Japan are held to impeccable standards of safety, precision and punctuality. Trains and buses arrive and depart with near-perfect timing. The drivers are neat and trim in their crisp uniforms, and of course, the ubiquitous white gloves.

Transportation workers in Japan are held to impeccable standards of safety, precision and punctuality. Trains and buses arrive and depart with near-perfect timing. The drivers are neat and trim in their crisp uniforms, and of course, the ubiquitous white gloves.
Hie Shrine was built by the Tokugawa Shogunate in homage to the god O-Yamakui, also known as Sannô Gongen, the deity of Mount Hiei near Kyoto. From June 10 through June 16, in every odd-numbered year since 1681, Hie Jinja stages an elaborate pageant called Sanno Matsuri, in which hundreds of patrons dressed in traditional Heian era costumes parade through the streets of Tokyo's Akasaka district on palanquins and elaborate floats with dancers, singers, and musicians in attendance.
Hie Shrine was built by the Tokugawa Shogunate in homage to the god O-Yamakui, also known as Sannô Gongen, the deity of Mount Hiei near Kyoto. From June 10 through June 16, in every odd-numbered year since 1681, Hie Jinja stages an elaborate pageant called Sanno Matsuri, in which hundreds of patrons dressed in traditional Heian era costumes parade through the streets of Tokyo's Akasaka district on palanquins and elaborate floats with dancers, singers, and musicians in attendance.
The New Year is Japan's most important celebration. At this time, the people of Japan visit shrines and temples to pray for blessings in the year to come. Families gather to enjoy specially prepared foods called O-sechi, and to exchange seasonal gifts. One traditional New Year's gift is a symbolic arrow to ward off bad fortune in the coming year.

A story told with photos.

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