Light Seeps Through

Doggy

noreply@blogger.com (Mary) — Thu, 22 Oct 2009 05:38:00 +0000

A Shiba Inu at one of the houses in Seya, Yokohama--complete with umbrella!

The Shiba Inu (also called the Shiba Ken) is the smallest of the six original and distinct breeds of dog from Japan.

A small, agile dog that copes very well with mountainous terrain, the Shiba Inu was originally bred for hunting. It is similar in appearance to the Akita, though much smaller in stature. Inu is the Japanese word for dog, but the origin of the prefix "Shiba" is less clear. The word shiba usually refers to a type of red shrub. This leads some to believe that the Shiba was named with this in mind, either because the dogs were used to hunt in wild shrubs, or because the most common color of the Shiba Inu is a red color similar to that of the shrubs. However, in old Japanese, the word shiba also had the meaning of "small", thus this might be a reference to the dog's small size. Therefore, the Shiba Inu is sometimes translated as "Little Brushwood Dog".

Torii

noreply@blogger.com (Mary) — Wed, 22 Apr 2009 13:01:00 +0000

A torii or gate is a symbol of Shinto shrines all over Japan. The torii pictured above was taken at the Itsukushima Shrine in the island of Itsukushima, popularly known as Miyajima, off the coast of Hiroshima.

This torii is one of Japan's most popular tourist attractions, and is one of Japan's three scenic views.

Hero

noreply@blogger.com (Mary) — Sat, 18 Apr 2009 14:12:00 +0000

Lapu-Lapu was the chieftain of Mactan Island in the Philippines when the Spanish conquerors led by the Portuguese explorer Ferdinand Magellan arrived on Philippine soil in 1521. He refused to accept the Christian faith that was preached by the foreigners and rose in arms at the Battle of Mactan which took the life of Magellan. He is considered the first Filipino hero, and his monument is displayed at the Lapu-Lapu Shrine in Mactan Island, Cebu.

Church

noreply@blogger.com (Mary) — Mon, 13 Apr 2009 12:37:00 +0000

This is an image of the facade of the Church of St. Catherine of Alexandria in Carcar, a town in the province of Cebu, Philippines. It was built in 1860.

Carcar is home to various heritage structures from the Spanish and American colonial eras, with the church of St. Catherine at the center of it all.

Sakura

noreply@blogger.com (Mary) — Mon, 13 Apr 2009 07:20:00 +0000

At this time of the year, sakura or cherry blossoms bloom all over Japan. Flower-viewing festivals or hanami are held all over the country where people take time out to enjoy the sight.

Delicious

noreply@blogger.com (Mary) — Sat, 04 Apr 2009 17:24:00 +0000

The practice of having barbecue grills in the middle of the table is said to have originated in Korea, but it is also very common in Japan. In these settings, people gather around the table and grill the food themselves while eating, promoting better communion with their companions.

This picture was taken at a hotel in Okinawa, Japan during a school trip I was part of. We grilled meat, seafood, and vegetables, and dipped them in different types of sauces afterward. It was awesome!

Peeking

noreply@blogger.com (Mary) — Sat, 04 Apr 2009 07:01:00 +0000

This picture is the epitome of light seeping through. It was taken in a moving vehicle one early morning, along a stretch of beach-side highway in San Jose, Negros Oriental, Philippines.

Kazaridaru

noreply@blogger.com (Mary) — Fri, 03 Apr 2009 17:04:00 +0000

Shinto shrines in Japan need sake or rice wine for their ceremonies and festivals. Sake brewers in Japan then donate wines to shrines for this purpose. It is a mutually beneficial arrangement. The brewers provide the wine, and the shrines pray for the brewers' prosperity.

At major shrines in the country, barrels of sake are displayed in stacks outside, as shown in the picture above taken at the Meiji Jingu or Meiji Shrine in Shibuya, Tokyo. These barrels are called kazaridaru or "decoration barrels." Although they are empty, they symbolize the relationship between the shrine and the sake brewers.

Sensō-ji

noreply@blogger.com (Mary) — Fri, 03 Apr 2009 12:48:00 +0000

Sensō-ji, also known as the Asakusa Kannon Temple, is the oldest temple in Tokyo. It was supposed to have been founded in 628 AD, although the current temple was only built in 1958. It is dedicated to Bodhisattva Kannon, otherwise known as Guan Yin, the Goddess of Mercy. It's one of Tokyo's most important tourist spots.

Leading up to the temple is Nakamise-dōri, an alleyway packed with shops selling traditional Japanese items such as dolls, toys, combs, sembei (rice crackers), umbrellas, paper wallets, fans, and other omiyage (souvenirs).

Rough

noreply@blogger.com (Mary) — Fri, 03 Apr 2009 07:55:00 +0000

Antulang Beach Resort in Siaton, Negros Oriental, Philippines is not your average resort. Aside from white sand beaches and an infinity pool, it also boasts of views such as found on this photo. Perched atop a rocky cliff, you will love feeling the sea breeze, and enjoy watching and hearing the waves crash against rocks at Antulang.

Antulang is about an hour and a half away from the city of Dumaguete in central Philippines.

Pretty

noreply@blogger.com (Mary) — Fri, 03 Apr 2009 06:25:00 +0000

Meme Entry - Pink Fridays

Pink bougainvillea flowers in Okinawa, Japan.

This picture was taken on a bright afternoon at the Gyokusendo Kingdom Village, a theme park which is a must-see if you are in Okinawa. The park features traditional Okinawan arts, crafts, and performances, as well as nature exhibits and historical buildings. It's a great place to experience the ancient Ryukyuan culture of Okinawa.

Wish

noreply@blogger.com (Mary) — Thu, 02 Apr 2009 15:55:00 +0000

"For all of those that suffer from pain, hunger, and disease let them know peace and let them know love," goes one prayer at this "wishing wall" found at the Kaikōzan Jishōin Hase-dera, where visitors can write their prayers to the gods on blocks of wood to be hung on a wall.

The Kaikōzan Jishōin Hase-dera is one of the most popular Buddhist temples located in Kamakura, Japan.

Majestic

noreply@blogger.com (Mary) — Thu, 02 Apr 2009 14:54:00 +0000

The Great Buddha of Kamakura is a huge, bronze statue of the Amitābha Buddha at the Kōtoku-in Temple complex in Kamakura, Japan. It was said to have been built in 1252. The statue stands approximately 13.35m tall and weighs approximately 93 tons. It is hollow inside. It has withstood various natural calamities, including a tsunami in 1498 that wiped out its surrounding temple, and numerous earthquakes. In the 1960s, its neck was reinforced to protect it from future damage.

Kamakura is located in the prefecture of Kanagawa, about 50 kilometers south west of Tokyo.

Pure

noreply@blogger.com (Mary) — Wed, 01 Apr 2009 17:27:00 +0000

Pictured here is a frangipani flower, also known as plumeria. They are native to tropical and subtropical climates. This picture was taken in Dauin, Negros Oriental, Philippines.

Lush

noreply@blogger.com (Mary) — Wed, 01 Apr 2009 15:42:00 +0000

A gushing river flowing through the Forest Camp Nature Resort in Valencia, Negros Oriental, Philippines.

Tranquil

noreply@blogger.com (Mary) — Wed, 01 Apr 2009 15:39:00 +0000

A foot spa at an onsen in Hakone, Japan.

Onsen is the Japanese term for "hot springs." The term, however, is often used to refer to the bathing facilities and ryokan (traditional Japanese inn) surrounding the springs.

Hakone is a resort town in Japan famous for its hot springs. It is located in Kanagawa Prefecture, south west of Yokohama.

Cross

noreply@blogger.com (Mary) — Wed, 01 Apr 2009 14:57:00 +0000

Magellan's Cross is a Christian cross planted by the men of Ferdinand Magellan during their arrival in Cebu, Philippines on April 21, 1521. It is located beside the Basilica Minore del Santo Niño.

Wash

noreply@blogger.com (Mary) — Wed, 01 Apr 2009 13:54:00 +0000

Water over pebbles along a beach in Dauin, Negros Oriental, Philippines.

Dazzling

noreply@blogger.com (Mary) — Wed, 01 Apr 2009 13:51:00 +0000

A beautiful sunset taken from Enoshima, Japan.

Enoshima is a small island off the coast of Japan. It is part of Fujisawa City in Kanagawa Prefecture, south west of Yokohama.

Just a little to the west of the mountains in this picture (not included) is Mt. Fuji.

Japanese

noreply@blogger.com (Mary) — Wed, 01 Apr 2009 13:48:00 +0000

A branch of the Japanese restaurant chain, Yoshinoya, at SM Mall of Asia, Philippines.

Yoshinoya is the largest chain of gyūdon (beef bowl) restaurants in Japan.

Festive

noreply@blogger.com (Mary) — Wed, 01 Apr 2009 13:30:00 +0000

The festive atmosphere at Gabby’s Bistro, a restaurant in Dumaguete, Philippines.

Essentials

noreply@blogger.com (Mary) — Wed, 01 Apr 2009 13:14:00 +0000

Summer essentials, ready for hitting the beach!

Sale

noreply@blogger.com (Mary) — Wed, 01 Apr 2009 13:12:00 +0000

Shellfish for sale at a market in Enoshima, Japan.

Blue

noreply@blogger.com (Mary) — Wed, 01 Apr 2009 12:46:00 +0000

The beach in Dauin, Negros Oriental, Philippines, with the turtle-shaped Apo Island in the distance.