In today's post, I muse about the mixture of old and new in Japan. Also, vending machines and cars at temples!
A Mix of Old and New
One of the first things that soon jumps out at any foreigners in Japan is this meeting and mixture of old and new, traditional and modern. One can be wandering down the street of a busy modern city, surrounded by the latest high tech excesses of modern life, then turn the corner and suddenly spot an old woman wearing a kimono, spreading water with a ladle in front of an old traditional townhouse†. Then walk further and notice that traditional townhouse has a couple vending machines humming along on the side of it!
One moment you are in modern Japan, the next transported back to a historic Japan you have only seen in movies, then suddenly reminded—no, it's the present after all. That's quite the mental journey for just a morning walk.
We have our own curious mixtures of traditional and modern in the West, but it feels more drastic here. Like when we are watching a movie of ancient Rome and suddenly a car drives by in the background‡.
Speaking of cars...
Show Me The Way
Photoed is Mikawa Betsuin, one of the larger temples in Okazaki. I was given a tour of the main worship hall on the right by the head monk some time ago—so I have many more photos of this place to show off sometime. If you look closely at this photo you can see the temple doors are closed. It's a lovely traditional building that evokes visions of old Japan. Except for all the cars. It is after hours, but the cars remain. My guess is the temple rents out some spots. Parking space is a luxury in Japan, so renting extra space to people who want a place to park their car is a good source of income. There is also a vending machine over behind the trees near the building. I wonder if the monks use iPhones...§
Footnotes:
†: Here are some photos and plenty of info on traditional townhouses.
‡: I've never been able to spot it myself, but there is a persistent urban legend that you can spot a red car in the background of a scene in Ben Hur.
§: Yet for all my griping, I bought some tea from the vending machine after taking this photo. What can I say? If the convenience is there, use it.
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| Who is David? | |
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 | David LaSpina is an American photographer lost in Japan, trying to capture the beauty of this country one photo at a time. |