Artsy Schmartsy Kyoto Pics

More Artsy Kyoto Pics

Wabi-Sabi in Kyoto

posting up

When I was home this summer I talked to lots of people who said they either read my blog, or want to. Never realized people read this thing other than my mom. So part of the reason I haven't written so long is that I felt the need to write things I think other people will find interesting, even though I don't think they are that special anymore...and there's just a million things I've been doing recently, so if I write about just a couple, then the other ones get left out, and I hate being so exclusive. So looks like what I'll have to do is just start posting about occasional random happenings and thoughts, otherwise I'll never get anything done.

SO...

Let me tell you about fireworks. Fireworks in Japan are a religion. They are less like the omnipresent, calm and peaceful shinto and buddhist religions, and more like the world's fanatical fundamentalist psycho religions. People here do insane and ridiculous things to see fireworks. They will stand in sideways typhoon rain. They will sit in muddy rice fields. They might even resort to violence, including pushing and trampling. I've been poked in the ribs by countless old lady's umbrellas at fireworks shows, and for good reason. The fireworks are pretty impressive and they'd rather be damned than let some tall foreigner block their view.

Recently I finally got up close for the Katakai fireworks, which sports the biggest firework in the world. The shell for the thing is like 5 feet in diameter and the explosion is almost a freakin' kilometer across. On top of that there are a million other huge, loud, booms and pretty colors. With a smile on your face and a beer in your hand, it is the epitome of the Japanese summer.

Here's some pictures from August and September: Obon, a ryokan trip to Gunma, festivals, fireworks. Summer around here is the best. Actually, summer everywhere is the best. Unless it's winter, that's the best too. Actually I like fall. Anyway, pics...

i'm here

Hey no posts in a long time! I'm alive and the trip home was stupendous. Back into the swing of things here.

The point of this post is to tell you not to give up on my blog. I will update with real posts soon. I will!