Buddhika Weerasinghe

Monday, March 26, 2012

Japanese Macaques Suffer Hay Fever

A 19-year-old Japanese macaque monkey named Monday scratches her eyes while suffering an allergy to pollen from the cedar tree, at Awajishima Monkey Center on March 26, 2012 in Sumoto, Hyogo, Japan. Some twenty monkeys are suffering the effects of hay fever at this time of the year, with the typical symptoms being the same as with humans. Japanese government had plant cedar tree nationwide after the World War II for restore the nation’s forest. (Photo by Buddhika Weerasinghe)

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Kids Perform Traditional Kabuki Drama at Outdoor Kabuki theater

Children perform in a traditional Kabuki during the Nanko-Kabuki Festival at an outdoor Kabuki theater on March 25, 2012 in Sayo, Japan. Elementary and junior high school students from three children's Kabuki clubs performed three old Kabuki dramas to mark the repair of the Nanko-Kabuki outdoor theater,115 years after the traditional theater was built in 1841. (Photo by Buddhika Weerasinghe)

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Anti-Nuclear Activists Protest

Police officers stand guard during a demonstration against the use of nuclear power on the one-year anniversary of the devastating earthquake and tsunami on March 11, 2012 in Osaka, Japan. The earthquake and subsequent tsunami left 15,848 dead and 3,305 missing according to Japan's National Police Agency. Thousands of people still remain homeless and live in temporary dwellings. The Japanese government faces an uphill battle with the need to dispose of rubble and work toward economic recovery. Across the country people are taking part in ceremonies to pay respects to the people who lost their lives. (Photo by Buddhika Weerasinghe)

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Over 80% of Japan's Nuclear Reactors Offline

A general view of Mihama nuclear power station No 1 reactor (R), No 2 reactor (C) and No 3 reactor (L) which is run by Kansai Electric Power Co, on March 8, 2012 in Mihama, Japan. Only two of Japan's 54 nuclear reactors are online 12 months after last year's March 11 earthquake and tsunami. Many of the reactors have been stopped for regular maintenance during which official stress tests are being conducted. (Photo by Buddhika Weerasinghe)

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Sumo Wrestlers Prepare For Spring Tournament

Sumo wrestlers attend a morning practice session in preparation for the Grand Sumo Tournament at Yamasaka Shrine on March 3, 2012 in Osaka, Japan. The Osaka Grand Sumo Spring Tournament, known as the 'Rough Spring Tournament' will commence on March 11, until its conclusion on March 25 at the Osaka Prefectural Gymnasium. (Photo by Buddhika Weerasinghe)

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Job Fair For Bilingual Students in Kyoto

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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Naked Festival

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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Japan Prepare For St Valentine's Day

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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Oni Oi Festival

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 Monkeys Huddle To Keep Warm

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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Japan marks 17th anniversary of Great Hanshin Earthquake

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)

Twenty Years Old Celebrate Coming Of Age Day

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)

National Kite-Flying Contest

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)

Japanese Welcomed To 'Year Of The Dragon'

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)

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)