December 22nd, 2003

Through the Kaminari Gate

normal_pc210019sized.jpgMy friend Javier came to town, and we spent the day sight seeing in Asakusa, on the North end of the Ginza Line in Tokyo. The usual menagerie of souvenier shops, a big-ass gate– the Kaminari Mon, some Buddhist smoke, and there ya go.

We then took the boat down the tepid Sumitagawa River, and then spent some time in the late afternoon sunlight in Hamarikyu park. The Tokugawa Shogunate built this park (origianlly an Island) to hang out, drink some tea, and write poetry (I know, I know– what a bunch of dandys).

There are some good shots in here, especially some that might make good desktops (like the solitary duck). Enjoy the pics!

December 7th, 2003

The Kamakura Shogunate

Minamoto Yoritomo rocked. In the late 12th century, he vanquished his rivals and earned the title “Seii Shogun”, (supreme generalissimo conqueror of the Barbarians). Nothing new so far– every top general got this title, and retired to Kyoto to drink sake and write poems.

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