Zagreb’s Noonday “Chime”
Tuesday, February 26th, 2008Zagreb’s Noonday ‘Chime’
Croatia’s capital marks noon with a blast
Croatia’s capital, Zagreb, has an interesting way to mark the time at noon using a howitzer cannon.
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Momote Shiki - Japanese Archery Ritual
Saturday, February 23rd, 2008On Seijin-no-Hi (Coming of Age Day) in early January in Japan, an archery ritual known as Momote Shiki is held at Meiji Shrine in Tokyo for all those turning 20 for that year.
10 Archers at a time shoot two arrows at a central target.
Momote Shiki: Japanese Archery Ritual
Here’s a short clip of a Shinto Priest shooting the Kabura-ya (whistling arrow):
Setsubun - Japanese Spring Cleaning Exorcism
Wednesday, February 6th, 2008
Japanese Drive Devils Away in Spring Ritual
Setsubun is February 3rd and it's kind of like Groundhog Day, New Years, and Halloween all rolled up into one. It's a day where Japanese seek to drive Oni or Devils from their ... [Continue reading this entry]
Ninja In Action!
Sunday, February 3rd, 2008
Ninja Demonstrate their skills in Iga-Ueno, Japan - the home of Ninja.
For more on Ninja in American Pop Culture see my essay on
"Where Have the Ninja Gone?"
A Freezing Japanese Shinto Purification Ritual
Friday, February 1st, 2008
At Tokyo's Kanda Myojin Shrine, Shinto Ritual Participants Cleanse Themselves With Freezing Cold Water in early January.
The ritual is known as misogi.
Warm Weather Makes Japanese Wintry Dip Seem Refreshing
Brief Snowy Day in Tokyo
Thursday, January 31st, 2008
Last week it snowed briefly in Tokyo on my way to work. I love snow but it doesn’t snow in Tokyo that much any more these days.
Samurai Dave’s 2007 In Review: Travels, Festivals, and Events
Tuesday, January 29th, 2008
The following is a photo montage video of the travels, festivals, and events I experienced in 2007.
I've got photos of sumo, ninja, geisha, samurai, medieval Italian towns, German castles, ... [Continue reading this entry]
New Year’s at a Japanese Temple in Tokyo
Saturday, January 26th, 2008
New Years at a Japanese Temple
Prayers, Fires, and Rice Cakes ring in the New Year at Zojo-ji in Tokyo
Here are some scenes of New Year's Eve Activities at Zojo-ji Temple in central Tokyo.
Street Musicians in Munich - Mozart in Munich
Friday, January 25th, 2008
Just to show that not everything I do will be Japanese related as I've been to 30 other countries besides Japan.
Here's a series I've been putting together of buskers - street musicians - in Munich. I also plan to do ... [Continue reading this entry]
Sumo Action set to Heavy Metal
Friday, January 25th, 2008
If you thought sumo a sport of slow moving fat guys in thongs engaged in an aggressive shoving match, guess again.
As any follower of Sumo knows, Sumo wrestlers are fast, strong, and agile. They also know how to take ... [Continue reading this entry]