Friday, August 29, 2008

Flickr Pic #21: 「日光 Spring 08」 I Picture Them Picturing Us

「日光 Spring 08」 I Picture Them Picturing Us

「日光 Spring 08」 I Picture Them Picturing Us
Originally uploaded by scion_cho

For my first few months stay in Japan, I was just always stuck at home doing nothing. Aside from the interest in photography kicking in, I decided to buy myself a camera as motivation for me to go out whenever I'm free. Thanks to my Astra friends (colleagues working from a sister company), I got to join them on different outings. I rarely have pictures on my uploaded sets but good thing most of them are also camera owners, so we take pictures of each other every now and then.

The featured pic I took before leaving the Jizou site (see Flickr post #21), as we proceeded to our next itinerary (Nikko Temples).

Here is Gabby's shot on us:


Taken on April 6, 2008
Location: Nikko National Park, Nikko City, Tochigi Prefecture, Japan

See Flickr post #21 (click link here)

posted by ScIoN 8:30 PM |


Tuesday, August 26, 2008

Flickr Pic #21: 「日光 Spring 08」 Narabi-jizou

「日光 Spring 08」 Narabi-jizou

「日光 Spring 08」 Narabi-jizou
Originally uploaded by scion_cho

On the 2nd day of our Spring weekend travel, we checked out early (Nikko Park Lodge) and went straight towards the Kanmangafuchi Abyss in order to drop by at the famed Nikko jizou site. Jizou (Jizō) is known for being a guardian of unborne babies, thus, statues representing his divinity are often portrayed as wearing children's clothing such as bibs.

Narabi-jizou literally means Jizous in line. Another name for this site is Bake-jizou where 'bake' means ghost. They say that the count of jizous placed on this site had never been consistent, implying that the jizou statues appear and disappear at times.

Taken on April 6, 2008
Location: Nikko National Park, Nikko City, Tochigi Prefecture, Japan

See Flickr post #20 (click link here)

posted by ScIoN 6:36 PM |


Saturday, August 23, 2008

Flickr Pic #20: 「日光江戸村」 Mizugei

「日光江戸村」 Mizugei
「日光江戸村」 Mizugei
Originally uploaded by scion_cho

It is an acrobatic show from old Japan where 3 beautiful girls control water at will. This water magic used to be performed in different places in Japan to show thankfulness and importance of water. From old people to children, Edo people used to enjoy and give applause to "Mizugei" the water magic show that was performed in a pleasure-resort.

-- copied from Edo brochure

inside Nippon Dento Geino Gekijou


Taken on April 5, 2008
Location: Edo Wonderland [Nikko Edomura], Nikko City, Tochigi Prefecture, Japan

See Flickr post #19 (click link here)

posted by ScIoN 3:53 PM |


Wednesday, August 20, 2008

Tokuma Photoshoot Outing

It's quite amazing that I am able to go out frequently nowadays. Thanks to photography. I have met lots of cam-toting friends here in Japan and it's really easy to bond with them. Apologies first to my 'kaladkaran' friends for not being able to attend the bday bash at Ginza.

About a month ago, I received an invite to join a photoshoot EB at Yamanashi Prefecture. It's quite 5 hours away from my place but still I eagerly participated in order to meet great photohobbyists and Flickr friends: Ate Maki (aka Maki_c30D), Manong Crispee (RoadRunner) and Totomai (Totomai -- nobody knows his first name), among others.

Yamanashi is quite a very provincial place. But in exchange for a 'livelier' place, one would enjoy nature's beauty in Japan, quite rare with a highly industrialized country. Really now, Japan takes very good care of its environment. Yamanashi is quite popular for tourists who would want to view Mount Fuji from different scenic lakes around the area. Not to mention National parks, wineries, hiking camps and a whole lot more.

Using the seasonal ticket, Seishun 18 Kippu (Youth 18 Ticket), one could travel within Japan via JR trains for a discounted price (good for a day). And so, forming a group of 5, we went to Ate Maki's place for an overnight prior to the lunch-photoshoot EB the next day (Sunday). In fact, 2 of our companions that day -- Kate and Alaine just had a weeklong 'Japan Tour'-- from Tokyo to Kyoto and back.

The main venue was at the man-made Tokuma Falls near Ate Maki's place. Since it was a photoshoot EB, everyone got prepared and we even had models for portrait shots. Special thanks to Shaffie, for bringing his friend Hitomi who's quite an experienced model. Other female photographers in the group were also converted into being models, completely adorned with yukatas and Filipiniana dresses.

One other great thing about the EB was food! Daing na bangus, Laing, tilapia, ihaw-ihaw, kare-kare, salad, etc etc. Philippine food at its best! Last time I ate "Philippine food" was at the Independence day celebration at Oji Park, but all I ordered was meat on a stick so I guess that shouldn't count.

Unfortunately, it started to rain at about 4pm and so the final stages of the 'fashion shoot' was a bit stumped. We also hurried to catch up with the 6:10pm train, eventually reaching home at about 11:30pm. Whew!

It was a fun bonding experience. Special thanks to Ate Maki who's an eager host (part 3? hehe) and Manong Ben (diak nga nalaing ag ilocano, nalipatakon -- funny when he speaks to me in Ilocano, my mind gets stuck into answering in Nihonggo :P ) who are actually moderators of an online Filipino community forum; thus, considered to be the organizers of the event.

Hats off to the genki-sweet-smart-funny-loving couple Rad&Rya, for guiding us through in Shizuoka. To my travelmates: Sonny (TF photodad), Poulain (Lomo Princess), Shaffie (official photographer of Hitomi), Hitomi (half-Filipina, half-Japanese model) and Atty R-yo (The islander). Quite interesting too that I met blogger R-yo on this event. He's even Landbank Tokyo's hotshot.



I'm thinking of separating the portrait shots, photography sessions from the normal outing shots. So here goes, enjoy!

EDIT: hmm... since my supposed entry is long, I'm putting it up under blog instead of in photos. LOL

pics to be uploaded tomorrow... probably the first part. Quite a busy week, unfortunately...

Here's a teaser summing up what I went for: nature + portrait photography (the reflector was sweet!) featuring Tokuma Falls and lomohobbyist-turned model Poulain (she's not posing though, just a stolen shot).

Photobucket

posted by ScIoN 6:51 PM |


Friday, August 15, 2008

Flickr Pic #19: 「日光江戸村」Edo

「日光江戸村」Edo
「日光江戸村」Edo
Originally uploaded by scion_cho

It was yet the start of Spring at Nikko, Tochigi when we visited (whereas Cherry Blossoms at Tokyo were already in full bloom).

I took this shot, veering away from where other tourists were seen, in order to have a clean "Classic Edo" scene.

Taken on April 5, 2008
Location: Edo Wonderland [Nikko Edomura], Nikko City, Tochigi Prefecture, Japan

See Flickr post #18 (click link here)

posted by ScIoN 8:15 PM |


Saturday, August 09, 2008

Flickr Pic #18:「日光江戸村」 Salve

「日光江戸村」 Salve
「日光江戸村」 Salve
Originally uploaded by scion_cho

After all the morbidity and the underworld experience inside the Jigoku Temple (Temple of Doom), a glowing Buddha statue signals your departure from hell at the end of the obstacle course.

Taken on April 5, 2008
Location: Jigoku Temple, Edo Wonderland [Nikko Edomura], Nikko City, Tochigi Prefecture, Japan

See Flickr post #17 (click link here)

posted by ScIoN 2:03 PM |


Friday, August 08, 2008

Flickr Pic #17: 「日光江戸村」 Grand Ninja Theater

「日光江戸村」 Grand Ninja Theater
「日光江戸村」 Grand Ninja Theater
Originally uploaded by scion_cho

This is one of the shows one should never miss when touring around Edo Wonderland. The actors did great; impressing us with great action sequences done in ninja fashion. I really love live theater, and watching one having ass-kicking yet funny ninjas -- awesome.

Taken on April 5, 2008
Location: Edo Wonderland [Nikko Edomura], Nikko City, Tochigi Prefecture, Japan

See Flickr post #16 (click link here)

posted by ScIoN 7:15 AM |


Tuesday, August 05, 2008

Flickr Pic #16: 「日光江戸村」 The Look Below

「日光江戸村」 The Look Below
「日光江戸村」 The Look Below

Originally uploaded by scion_cho

I remember last time we went to the beach, Ramil warned us not to take pictures of children. The Japanese are overprotective of children and there seems to be a law against photographing random kids. It is quite understandable since their are pedophiles around but this also limits the subjects for photographers.

Kids are great photographic subjects as they can easily show elements of joy, sorrow, innocence, etc not to mention that they are usually cute. Good thing my shots with kids before did not offend a parent. Generally it's quite a challenge to take pictures of random people, and that's one of the main reasons why I needed longer lens.

Photo shows a kid looking down below towards the small stream, watching the fishes swim by.

Taken on April 5, 2008
Location: Edo Wonderland [Nikko Edomura], Nikko City, Tochigi Prefecture, Japan

See Flickr post #15 (click link here)

posted by ScIoN 1:26 PM |


Sunday, August 03, 2008

Flickr Pic #15: 「日光江戸村」 Pila Balde

「日光江戸村」 Pila Balde
「日光江戸村」 Pila Balde
Originally uploaded by scion_cho

One of those practice shots with water. Fresh water coming straight from the mountains. Nowadays, we even have to buy drinking water being placed in plastic bottles and jugs. Years ago, water being sold as a product was unthinkable since it had been abundant and free.

Taken on April 5, 2008
Location: Edo Wonderland [Nikko Edomura], Nikko City, Tochigi Prefecture, Japan

See Flickr post #14 (click link here)

posted by ScIoN 8:12 PM |


Friday, August 01, 2008

Flickr Pic#14: 「日光江戸村」 Hatago Inn

「日光江戸村」 Hatago Inn
「日光江戸村」 Hatago Inn
Originally uploaded by scion_cho

According to the travel brochure, Hatago Inn is a replica of an affordable roadside travel lodge from the Edo (classic Tokyo) period.

This shot was taken at Nikko Edomura, a makeshift village featuring ninjas, geishas and anything reminiscent of Edo (former name of Tokyo).

Taken on April 5, 2008
Location: Edo Wonderland [Nikko Edomura], Nikko City, Tochigi Prefecture, Japan

See Flickr post #13 (click link here)

posted by ScIoN 5:57 PM |


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Location: Quezon City, Metro Manila, Philippines

ScIoN is a former Systems Engineer in Japan who specialized in industrial imaging and digital hardware design. He is now back in the Philippines pursuing graduate studies in Finance at the University of the Philippines - Diliman.



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