Photo of the Day Archive for March 2006


by Albert Wen, Nov 15, 2006 | Destinations: Thailand
A Zen Buddhist monk begging for alms outside a Ginza department store is an ironic reminder of the frantic pace at which many people live their lives. The Japanese culture is rich with many such paradoxical contrasts, from ancient temples juxtaposed with high-rise buildings, to kimono-clad women riding the bullet train.

A Zen Buddhist monk begging for alms outside a Ginza department store is an ironic reminder of the frantic pace at which many people live their lives. The Japanese culture is rich with many such paradoxical contrasts, from ancient temples juxtaposed with high-rise buildings, to kimono-clad women riding the bullet train.

A Zen Buddhist monk begging for alms outside a Ginza department store is an ironic reminder of the frantic pace at which many people live their lives. The Japanese culture is rich with many such paradoxical contrasts, from ancient temples juxtaposed with high-rise buildings, to kimono-clad women riding the bullet train.
These miniature houses are constructed as new residences for the displaced spirit belonging to a piece of land. Of Indian origin, the spirit houses in Thailand serve also as places of daily worship, during which they are garnished with Buddhist offerings of flowers, incense, dolls, elephant statues and food items.
Beautiful lacquered paper umbrellas called kasa are a present-day reminder of the grace and elegance of Japan's bygone courtly era, known as ukiyo-e, the floating world.

Photo of the Day Archive for March 2006