Thursday, December 29, 2011

Japanese Prepare To Celebrate 'Year Of The Dragon'

A dragon water sculpture is displayed at the Gokogo Shrine on December 29, 2011 in Himeji, Japan. Japanese zodiac years are commonly associated with the twelve animals Mouse, Cow, Tiger, Rabbit, Dragon, Snake, Horse, Sheep, Monkey, Rooster, Dog and Pig and this coming year will be the year of the Dragon. Japan celebrates their New Year on January 1 of each year, following the Gregorian calendar. (Photo by Buddhika Weerasinghe)

©Buddhika Weerasinghe

Wednesday, December 28, 2011

Japanese Makes Mochi To Celebrate New Year's Day


People make rice cakes, Mochi for celebrations of the forthcoming Year of the Dragon at Zuiganji temple on December 28, 2011 in Himeji, Japan. The Japanese calendar is divided into twelve parts and is commonly associated with the twelve animals, the Rat, Ox, Tiger, Rabbit, Dragon, Snake, Horse, Sheep, Monkey, Rooster, Dog and the Pig.

Sticky rice cakes, or mochi, as the Japanese call them, are made by pounding the steam rice. Mochi is a traditional food and decoration which make for Japanese New Year. Kagami Mochi as rice cake decoration for the new year and usually displayed inside the house, the god of the new year, to bring good luck and prosperity in the new year. Kagami mochi is made from two rice cakes (mochi) of different sizes, the smaller placed over the larger one and Japanese type of bitter orange placed on top. (Photo by Buddhika Weerasinghe/Getty Images)
©Buddhika Weerasinghe

Tuesday, December 27, 2011

Japanese Prepare To Celebrate 'Year Of The Dragon

Mikos (shrine maidens) arrange 'Hamaya' (arrows intended to destroy evil spirits) to which 'Emas' (wooden plaques) are attached featuring a picture of dragon in celebration of the forthcoming 'Year of the Dragon' at Sosha Shrine on December 27, 2011 in Himeji, Japan. Japanese years are commonly associated with the twelve animals Rat, Ox Tiger, Rabbit, Dragon, Snake, Horse, Sheep, Monkey, Rooster, Dog and Pig. (Photo by Buddhika Weerasinghe)
© Buddhika Weerasinghe

Friday, December 23, 2011

Participants Race In Kyoto Santa Claus Marathon

Participants in Santa costumes race in the Kyoto Santa Claus Marathon on December 23, 2011 in Kyoto, Japan. (Photo by Buddhika Weerasinghe)

©Buddhika Weerasinghehe

Friday, December 16, 2011

Autumn Leaves With Spider

A spider is seen in nest of autumn leave hang on December 11,2011 in Masui mountain, Himeji city, Japan. (Photo by Buddhika Weerasinghe)   

© Buddhika Weerasinghe

Tuesday, December 13, 2011

Geisha Girls Gratitude for Teacher.

Geiko geisha girls receive special fans from their traditional dance master Inoue Yachiyo (L) as they show their gratitude for the past year and best wishes for the new year on December 13, 2011 in Kyoto, Japan. The annual ritual is called 'Kotohajime', and is the start of preparation for the new year. (Photo by Buddhika Weerasinghe)
©Buddhika Weerasinghe

Capture Beauty of Life

Photographers take pictures of Maiko and geiko geisha girls as they walk outside the traditional art and tea house after showing their gratitude for the past year and best wishes for the new year to their dance master on December 13, 2011 in Kyoto, Japan. The annual ritual is called 'Kotohajime', and is the start of preparation for the new year. (Photo by Buddhika Weerasinghe)
© Buddhika Weerasinghe

Wednesday, December 7, 2011

Candles Night

Candles burn during the One Million People's Candle Night event on December 7, 2011 in Osaka, Japan. For tow hours people were suppose to turn off holiday lights and use candles. (Photo by Buddhika Weerasinghe)

© Buddhika Weerasinghe

Monday, December 5, 2011

Students Carve Buddha Statue


A professor of Traditional Art Super College of Kyoto, Kosho Sudo carves eye of Buddha statue on December 5, 2011 in Kyoto, Japan. The Buddha statue is being made of pine from Rikuzentakata, Iwate Prefecture, hit by the March 11 earthquake and tsunami. About 5,000 people have so far contributed to the carving of the 270 cm high, 180 cm deep statue. When the Buddha statue is finished it will be given to the world famous Kiyomizu Buddhist temple to be displayed to the public from March 11, 2012. (Photo by Buddhika Weerasinghe)
©Buddhika Weerasinghe

Saturday, December 3, 2011

Anti-Nuclear Activists Protest Against to Monju

Anti-nuclear activist hold banners and shouts slogans during a protest beside the Monju prototype fast-breeder reactor at Siraki on December 3, 2011 in Tsuruga, Japan. Protesters gathered to call for the closure of troubled Monju nuclear reactor. Members of the Democratic Party of Japan and private sector experts agreed at a government energy policy session last week and the reactor needed to undergo a operational and budgetary review. (Photo by Buddhika Weerasinghe)

© Buddhika Weerasinghe

Thursday, December 1, 2011

Luminarie Festival Commemorates Kobe Earthquake Victims

People view illuminations during the Kobe Luminarie annual event on December 1, 2011 in Kobe, Japan. The Luminarie festival is held in memory of the over 6,400 people who lost their lives in the Hanshin-Awaji Earthquake on January 17, 1995. (Photo by Buddhika Weerasinghe)

© Buddhika Weerasinghe