Although its origin and history remain a mystery to me, it’s one of the most entertaining statues I’ve seen in my travels
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Momijigari – Leaf Hunting in Japan
In Japan, “momijigari” or hunting colorful autumn leaves, has been a popular autumn pastime for hundreds of years. In my post at Murder is Everywhere this week, I’m taking a closer look at momijigari, and offering some photos from my recent research trip to Japan. Fortunately, you don’t have to hunt very hard to find the post – just click this link.
Read moreThe Pagodas and Smaller Temples of Miyajima Island
Although Itsukushima Jinja is the most famous of Miyajima’s shrines and temples, the island has several other religious and cultural sites of interest – many of which are nestled among the island’s sleepy back roads: The pagoda’s original statues have been moved to Daiganji temple:
Read moreEnterprise Bridge Panels – Up Close and Personal
As I mentioned in yesterday’s post, I visited the Star Trek exhibit at Seattle’s EMP (Experience Music Project) museum over the weekend – and thoroughly enjoyed it. One of the more interesting exhibits I didn’t cover in yesterday’s post was a set of original bridge panels from the original (1960’s) Star Trek TV series. One thing that really stood out to me, seeing them in person: the set creators didn’t even bother to glue the pieces in a way that avoided smearing, or to keep the glue from showing on the finished pieces. TV cameras filmed with low enough resolution and detail
Read moreThe Reconstructed Pagodas of Tōdaiji
The original structures at Nara’s Tōdaiji dated to the eighth century and included a pair of 300-foot pagodas which were subsequently destroyed in an earthquake. A wooden model inside the Great Buddha Hall shows the original temple structures, including the pagodas, all built to scale: Although not as impressive as the original pagodas, the golden reconstructions hearken back to the Indian Buddhist stupas from which pagoda architecture evolved upon its arrival in China and then Japan.
Read moreThe Irises of Tofuku-ji
During last summer’s visit to Tofuku-ji, I spent some time enjoying the temple’s beautiful flower gardens. Tofuku-ji is famous for its irises (which fortunately bloom in June, when I was in Japan). What are your favorite flowers? Do you like Irises?
Read moreGo-Shuin-Cho: Pilgrim Stamp Books of Japan
During my trip to Japan last summer, I started my first go-shuin-cho (a stamp book which, historically, pilgrims had stamped and inscribed with calligraphy by monks or priests at Japanese Buddhist temples and Shinto shrines).
Read moreA Visit to Kasuga Shrine (Nara Park, Japan)
Kasuga Taisha lies in the heart of Nara Park, home to numerous shrines and Buddhist temples, as well as 1200 sika (deer) that, although no longer legally considered sacred objects, still enjoy protected status and have no fear of visitors.
Read morePhoto Copyrights, and the Importance of Shooting B Roll
When it comes to the type of images a writer might need for a blog or online article, the sky’s the limit. Done. Writing a blog about stopping to smell the flowers? The B(ee) roll can help there, too: Like this bowl, you’ll be glad you did.
Read moreA Shift in the Wind…
Over the next few weeks, you’ll notice a shift in the blogging winds here at Spann of Time. With The Ninja’s Daughter set to release on August 2, I’m changing up the blogging just a little. Mondays will remain my days for Japanese culture and history posts (still featuring photos from Japan), and the Twitter #Publaw feed and its associated post will continue to hold the Wednesday spot. However, I’m shifting my aquarium-related posts to Fridays (Fishy Friday, anyone?) and moving forward, Tuesday and Thursday will belong to guest posts, the occasional book reviewer writing-relating musings . . . and photography. I’ve loved photography all my
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