As I already had photos from previous trips, I vowed that this time I would NOT take any more photos of wedding couples or cute children in beautiful traditional clothing. So here is the first of three wedding couples in this blog entry. The children vow fared no better.
Children three, five, and seven years of age are often brought to shrines to be blessed in the month of November. The outfits are picturesque so what could I do?
November brings maple viewing season, with some of the best locations described in daily media reports. Some of the places get packed, much like the cherry blossom season in spring.
I believe that this photo is a legitimate exception to my vow as I had never actually photographed a couple mid-ceremony
Yes they are children, but I don't think one could call their school uniforms traditional in the same sense as kimonos
And this guy, while childish at times, is not under 55 and only has his traditional fast-dry travel clothing and running shoes. And besides, Barb took the photo.
This procession arrived at a shrine when I was innocently looking for a bathroom -- photography must come before nature in such situations
This lady, seen posing with the mascot of the Kyoto Tower, had just won a delicious green tea cake by almost rolling doubles with two giant fuzzy dice. The host of the promotional event had asked what country we were from and then repeatedly shouted CA-NA-DA! into his microphone. I guess the generous interpretation of the contest rules meant they didn't want the entire country to lose face.
To heck with the vow when I can photograph this scene