Tuesday, December 21, 2010

Thursday, December 16, 2010

Sunday, December 5, 2010

Tuesday, November 23, 2010

Strange Encounter

One of the thing I link most about Tokyo is that you can easily find the strangest and weirdest thing just by walking in the street. In the picture, a kind of scarecrow at the entrance of a restaurant.
In Italian, more than a spaventapasseri, this would be a spaventapassere ;-)

Monday, October 11, 2010

Wishing for the good weather

The Teru teru bōzu (てるてる坊主) is a little traditional hand-made doll made of white paper or cloth used by Japanese people when they want good weather for the next day.
Traditionally it was hang outside of the window, so that its magical powers would bring good weather and stop the rain. But it can be used in other situations, too; one example is the hiker in the picture below, who put it on her backpack during her excursion on Tateyama.





てるてるぼうず、てるぼうず
明日天気にしておくれ
いつかの夢の空のように
晴れたら金の鈴あげよ

てるてるぼうず、てるぼうず
明日天気にしておくれ
私の願いを聞いたなら
甘いお酒をたんと飲ましょ

てるてるぼうず、てるぼうず
明日天気にしておくれ
それでも曇って泣いてたら
そなたの首をちょんと切るぞ

Tateyama 立山

Ready? Go!
Let's get started from the base! 

A little bit cloudy to see the sea, but still quite impressive view. 

Luckily, the weather was wonderful. 

A huge number of people going to the top!


Reflection of the mountains into the Mikurigaike. 

The best period to go to go to Tateyama (立山), in Toyama prefecture, is probably Spring, when you can enjoy walking between two huge walls of snow.
But also early autumn is very interesting. Go and have a look by yourself!

Saturday, September 4, 2010

It's all about timing


Despite the fact that the two bronze statues will not be moving at noon, do you notice anything strange about this clock?

Saturday, August 28, 2010

Asakusa Samba

It seems that the Asakusa Samba Carnival is - after Rio de Janeiro - the biggest Samba Carnival in the world.
(English info here)

Saturday, June 19, 2010

Tuesday, May 25, 2010

Challenging death


For some reasons I find it difficult to consider "normal" walking in the middle of the streets when cars are coming at high speed. But I reckon there are very few choices when there are almost not traffic lights.

Wednesday, May 19, 2010

Color blindness

Every time I see such color combinations I invariably think that (some) Japanese girls are color blind.
Nothing but color blindness could explain the brown and cream shoe with pink socks and black leggings combination.

Saturday, May 8, 2010

ZED

ZED is a living poem, a timeless evocation that draws on the Tarot and its arcana, an imaginary world that conjures the vitality of the human condition and holds up a mirror to our true selves. The central, larger-than-life character Zed represents all of humanity in all its guises, from wisdom to folly, from discovery to adventure.
Wire
Zed grows as he discovers the world on his journey of initiation. Through this undertaking the people of the sky and the people of the earth are trying to connect with each other; through Zed, they come together.
Flying Trapeze                                     Hand to hand
The world of the arcana, in which ZED finds its inspiration, teems with life and vibrant characters, including the Great Goddess, The Fool, The Sphinxes and the Satyrs - all engaged in a lyrical odyssey to the heart of the human experience.
Juggling                                                Banquine

copied from the official Cirque du Soleil websiteFurther info available at the official ZED website. See also my previous post on Dralion.

For what it is worth, I loved the introduction at the beginning of the show, and the Flying Trapeze towards the end. The remaining parts were good - of course! - but not that exceptional.
Flying Trapeze

Saturday, February 13, 2010

Ouch

It looks like this guy has been heavily punched...
Let's hope at least it is good!

[Update]
Survived!

Friday, January 8, 2010

Lucky Pino!


Once every million normal Pinos, there is one which is star-shaped (top right).
Lucky the one who founds it!