Erwin Miyasaka

The replicas of the swords owned by Miyamoto Musashi and Sasaki Kojiro, opponents in the most famous samurai duel in the history of Japan, are displayed in the Kokura castle . The long one, with the red scabbard, is the famous nodachi of Sasaki Kojiro, nickname Monohoshizao “Laundry-Drying Pole". The blade is 90 cm long, about 20 cm longer that a regular katana . The sword with the black scabbard was the one owned by Miyamoto Musashi, and is is good to know that the original still exists, being displayed at the Shimada Museum of Arts in Kumamoto. However, Musashi hasn’t used it in the duel with Sasaki Kojiro - he was armed with a wakizashi and a very long, probably 110 cm bokken (wooden sword). Click on photo for higher resolution: Kokura Castle, Kitakyushu If you want to license my photos for commercial use, please contact me EXIF Info: Nikon Df Lens: 24-70mm F/2.8G Focal Length: 24mm Aperture: F/5 Shutter Speed: 1/60s ISO Se

The blooming sakura trees on the Shirakawa-dori in Gion, Kyoto, have long been renowned as one of the most beautiful places for hanami . The old trees, with thick branches loaded with delicate, pure white flowers are creating a truly out of this world atmosphere. Simply beautiful. Click on photo for higher resolution: Shirakawa-dori, Gion, Kyoto If you want to license my photos for commercial use, please contact me EXIF Info: Nikon D700 Lens: 24-70mm F/2.8G Focal Length: 70mm Aperture: F/4 Shutter Speed: 1/640s ISO Sensitivity: ISO 320 Yesterday’s Japan Photo: Sakura, Umekoji Park, Kyoto Ver fuente

Like this post? Help us by sharing it! With World Autism Awareness Day on 2nd April, Leo reflects on his experience of journeying to Japan with autism. Travelling to Japan with autism Before travelling, my limited understanding of autistic people’s treatment in Japan was taken from reading With the Light by the late Keiko Tobe (may […] The post Autism in Japan: What to know appeared first on InsideJapan Blog . Ver fuente

Originally maintained as a festival by the upper classes, who were having access to sophisticated gardens, the Hanami celebration became popular during the Edo Period. The first step was made by the shogun Tokugawa Yoshimune, who planted large areas of sakura trees in Edo, example later followed by many towns. Thus appeared parks accessible to common people, and some of them remained popular Hanami venues until today. Click on photo for higher resolution: Umekoji Park, Shimogyo-ku, Kyoto If you want to license my photos for commercial use, please contact me EXIF Info: Nikon Df Lens: 14mm F/2.8D Focal Length: 16mm Aperture: F/5.6 Shutter Speed: 1/1250s ISO Sensitivity: ISO 200 Yesterday’s Japan Photo: Simply beautiful Japanese scenes, Kotoji lantern illumination Ver fuente

One of the oldest Japanese temples, To-ji was established more than 1200 years ago, being a symbol of durability and continuity. Next to the temple’s pagoda we can admire rows of delicate sakura blossoms, symbols of ephemeral beauty, creating a beautiful but transient landscape. It lasts only a few days, but it will be back next year… Simply beautiful. Click on photo for higher resolution: Pagoda, To-ji Temple, Kyoto If you want to license my photos for commercial use, please contact me EXIF Info: Nikon D90 Lens: 8-16mm F/4.5-5.6G Focal Length: 14mm Aperture: F/5.6 Shutter Speed: 1/1600s ISO Sensitivity: ISO 640 Yesterday’s Japan Photo: The cherry blossoms of the Maruoka castle Ver fuente

Like this post? Help us by sharing it! After tying the knot, photographer Dan and his new wife headed to Japan for the ultimate, unforgettable honeymoon. Here are just a few of his amazing snaps from the trip. My wife and I have always wanted to go to Japan but never had the chance, so […] The post A photographer’s diary of Japan appeared first on InsideJapan Blog . Ver fuente

The Japanese castle, symbol of the lord’s power, was a durable construction, made to resist to military attacks and to natural disasters. At the same time, the sakura cherry blossoms was often present nearby the castle. Perhaps the castle lords were also aware of the ephemeral samurai life, said to be symbolized by the transient beauty of the delicate sakura flowers. Click on photo for higher resolution: Maruoka Castle, Fukui If you want to license my photos for commercial use, please contact me EXIF Info: Nikon D700 Lens: 24-70mm F/2.8G Focal Length: 24mm Aperture: F/4.5 Shutter Speed: 1/500s ISO Sensitivity: ISO 400 Yesterday’s Japan Photo: Jinaimachi Ver fuente

Jinaimachi is a type of town developed by a Buddhist religious community, most frequently by branches of Jōdo Buddhism. One of the best preserved jinaimachi , recognized as a Group of Traditional Buildings ( Dentoteki Kenzobutsu-gun in Japanese), is Tondabayashi Jinaimachi, in the Osaka Prefecture, which was established at the end of the Muromachi period around the Koshoji Betsuin temple. Click on photo for higher resolution: Tondabayashi Jinaimachi If you want to license my photos for commercial use, please contact me EXIF Info: Nikon D700 Lens: 14mm F/2.8D Focal Length: 14mm Aperture: F/7.1 Shutter Speed: 1/180s ISO Sensitivity: ISO 200 Yesterday’s Japan Photo: Blooming sakura at Kurama-dera Ver fuente

It is believed that the tradition of Hanami (flower viewing) has its origins in the Heian period, when parties were held at the Imperial court and poems describing the sakura beauty were composed and recited under the blooming sakura trees. Today not many poems are written anymore, but we all love to capture their beauty in photos… Click on photo for higher resolution: Kurama-dera, Kyoto If you want to license my photos for commercial use, please contact me EXIF Info: Nikon D90 Lens: 18-70mm F/3.5-4.5G Focal Length: 24mm Aperture: F/5.6 Shutter Speed: 1/640s ISO Sensitivity: ISO 200 Yesterday’s Japan Photo: Shimabara Castle main keep Ver fuente