Shooting with Candies' Model Agency

I went out this afternoon with a group of portrait photography lovers again for another round of fun. Our initial plan was to shoot in the bushes but the plan was cancelled due to the thunderstorm. So, we ended up shooting indoor shots again.

Nikko: Taiyuin-byo

Taiyuin-byo is the mausoleum of Tokugawa Iemitsu, the third Shogun of the Tokugawa Shogunate who is also the grandson of Tokugawa Ieyasu. At a glance, it looks a miniaturised Toshogu.

The Nitenmon (Niten Gate) is the main gate to the compound of the Honden (Main Hall). It is also lavishly decorated but was kept more modest than the look of Yomei-mon (Sunset Gate) at Toshogu.

Both guardian deities flanking the main door of Nitenmon have one hand up and another one down. The hand held up is to welcome visitor with pure hearts, whereas the hand down is to suppress those with impure hearts. So, which group do you belong to? I have no answer myself.

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Flanking the inner side of Nitenmon are two other fierce-looking deities, probably for scaring off any wandering spirit. Are you scared?

In front of the Honden, there is a granite font at which the worshipers cleanse themselves by washing their hands and rinsing their mouths, as according to the Shinto practice.

Flanking the gate to the Honden are two drum towers which are also miniaturised version of the ones at Toshogu.

The main gate of the Honden is also elaborately decorated with gold leaves.

The Honden itself is another marvel of Shinto shrine architecture. You can imagine the amount of gold leaves used to decorate the roof structure.

This is where the spirit of Tokugawa Iemitsu is kept alive forever.

Sumo Wrestling: Part 6

Location: Ryogoku Kokugikan, Tokyo, Japan
Event: Grand Sumo Tournaments
Date taken: September 22^nd, 2008
Camera equipment: Nikon D300 + Nikkor 85mm f/1.4D

Street Portrait Shooting at Padungan

I had a last minute outing yesterday with a group of photography enthusiasts for the street portrait shooting of Fiona. It was last minute because I was only on the waiting list to take up any empty slot in case of any absentee at the very last minute.

I wasn't very well-prepared for the shooting, but it was a fun session with the model and the other hobbyists.