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University students attend a job fair hosted by Works Japan Inc at
Sangyo Kaikan on February 19, 2012 in Kyoto, Japan. About 30 leading
international Japanese companies take a part in job fair and over
thousand international students attend special seminars and lectures of
job opportunities. (Photo by Buddhika Weerasinghe)
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| Japanese men wear loincloths as they splash about in freezing cold water during Saidaiji Naked Festival, at Saidaiji Temple on February 18, 2012 in Okayama, Japan. Saidaiji Naked Festival (Hadaka Matsuri) is one of Japan's more eccentric festivals and take a place each year in the winter. About 9,000 men take part and battle to grab for pair of lucky sticks thrown by priests. (Photo by Buddhika Weerasinghe) |
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| A woman walks past a decorated storefront window on February 12, 2012 in Kobe, Japan. Shops are putting out candy and other traditional gifts for the upcoming Valentine's Day holiday on February 14. (Photo by Buddhika Weerasinghe) |
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| A man prays before walking across burning logs during the Oni Oi annual festival at Zuiganji Temple on February 11 in Himeji, Japan. Performers dressed as demons take part in the Oni Oi ceremonies at the Buddhist temple in the hope of bringing peace and fruitful harvests. (Photo by Buddhika Weerasinghe) |
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| Japanese macaque monkeys huddle together to protect themselves against the cold weather at Awajishima Monkey Center on February 10, 2012 in Sumoto, Hyogo, Japan. Severe winter weather has hit Japan with more heavy snow forecast today. (Photo by Buddhika Weerasinghe) |
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| People pray for the victims of the Kobe Great Earthquake during a memorial ceremony to commemorate the 17th anniversary of the 1995 Great Hanshin earthquake on January 17, 2012 in Kobe, Japan. People gathered early this morning to pay their respects and light bamboo lanterns in the park for more than 6,000 people who lost their lives in the 7.3 magnitude earthquake. (Photo by Buddhika Weerasinghe) |
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| 20-year-old Japanese women dressed in traditional kimonos pose for a picture during the Coming of Age Day at Cultural Hall on January 9, 2012 in Himeji, Japan. The event involves 20-year-old Japanese people celebrating their eligibility to drink alcohol, smoke and vote. (Photo by Buddhika Weerasinghe) |
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A family flies kites during the 38th National Kyte-Flying Contest at
Himeji Park Horserace Course on January 8, 2012 in Himeji, Japan. Kite
flying is a typical New Year seasonal activity in Japan. Many local people and kite fans arrived to watch about
800 kites of 80 varieties fly from across Japan take a part in the annual kite
flying contest. (Photo by Buddhika Weerasinghe)
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| A Japanese Shinto priestess, Miko (shrine maidens) performs purification dance during the new year blessing at Sosha Shrine on January 1, 2012. (Photo by Buddhika Weerasinghe) |
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| 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) |
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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)
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| 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) |
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| Participants in Santa costumes race in the Kyoto Santa Claus Marathon on December 23, 2011 in Kyoto, Japan. (Photo by Buddhika Weerasinghe) |
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A spider is seen in nest of autumn leave
hang on December 11,2011 in Masui mountain, Himeji city, Japan. (Photo by
Buddhika Weerasinghe)
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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)
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