Japan

[Brian Ellis]

Have been to Japan only twice but an immensely interesting and beautiful (in parts) country, with fabulous food. One highlight was that MITI (as it then was) laid on a traditional banquet for our party in Kyoto, with entertainment and service by about 20 maiko (like the "apprentice geisha" above).

However, I found discussions rather difficult at times as 'hai' means 'yes' but it also means 'I've heard what you are saying, but don't necessarily agree with you' or even 'no'!

[Sasq]

Sadly Brian, I suspect there aren't even 20 maiko left in Japan.

I suspect when(if) I have children they will never see a maiko, let alone a Geisha

[Brian Ellis]

Yeah, I did hear that MITI had just about collared the lot for our evening and that was 12 or 14 years ago. Never saw a geisha, though. On my other visit, we stayed in a traditional ryokan in Kyoto and our landlady hired a maiko for an hour's entertainment. They are quite something.

[VJ]

Nice pictures, hope the trip also was great!

Originally posted by Lizzard[MPE]
the Gates of Hell happen to be around the corner from where dan lives...

Is this the gate by Rodin ('La porte d'enfer') ?
If so, this is strange: I saw it in Paris...


Jörg

[Paddy]

Wow! Nice pics. Japan is in my all time top three places to visit

[Sasq]

the gates of hell are a commision of the original artwork, they were commisioned over 110 years ago or so.
They are situated at the international Art museum in Todai (Tokyo University) which is the top public uni in Japan - though a few in Kyoto/osaka might argue with me.

We stayed 2 nights in a ryokan in kyoto, but were kicked out by the third night due to a school trip booking (poor land landy had 100 14/15 yo boys and girls to deal with)

You can see the few last remaining geisha at Gion in Kyoto on their way to work, though they tend to move quickly as everyone takes pics of them.

[ZokesPro]

Great pics Liz!!


Domo arigato for sharing.

[lecter]

Nice pics, Lizzie!

I also had a great time on my trip to Japan...Yakushima Island was quite something

[ZokesPro]

Hey Liz, got any pics of Dan wearing other funny looking hats? :P

[xortam]

Japan is the most foreign country that I've ever visited; fascinating to a Gaiji.

[ZokesPro]

Originally posted by xortam
Japan is the most foreign country that I've ever visited; fascinating to a Gaiji.

Hehe, USA is the most foreign country I have ever been too.

[DGhost]

Originally posted by ZokesPro
Hey Liz, got any pics of Dan wearing other funny looking hats? :P

Hey, give the man a break. We have all gotten trashed and wound up wearing silly hats to appease our boss's kids at one point in time or another... right?

ermmm...

maybe i should just be quiet now :P

[Lizzard[MPE]]

lol no, dan made sure he wasnt wearing any hats on this trip

[Lizzard[MPE]]

this was the ryokan we stayed at in Kyoto. very cool place

[Lizzard[MPE]]

butterfly on a flower