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Saturday, December 20, 2014

Psychedelic

Despite being a non-Christian country, Christmas can still be felt in Japan, especially in Tokyo. From the elaborate illuminations to the Christmas carols playing in the airwaves and Christmas decors displayed in the malls, Japan is indeed embracing the holidays! 

luminous

Last year, I blogged about where to find these illuminations in Japan. Among that list,  Tokyo Dome is the closest one near my office. So I decided to checked it on my way home and here’s what I found, the Luminous Tunnel.

tunnel 

The lights are in triangular shapes, it was circular last year. The colors of the triangles changes in sync with the carols. Psychedelic! Funny but no one is minding the cold weather as long as one can a get a souvenir shot. The display of lights are kind of hypnotizing. The crowd is tolerable though as most left the place immediately after taking a souvenir shot or two; unlike me and other photo enthusiasts.

triangles
fuschia

Though the colors fit the mood of the holiday, sometimes, it's good to let your imagination work -- say, strip the tunnel its colors.  The below picture has a different story right? 

together

Maybe I’ll drop by again here before the year ends and have another series. Passing through the Luminous Tunnel is free of charge by the way! For the meantime, Happy Holidays everyone!

tunnel

At Year’s End 

wave at twilight, 
 dip mud-covered feet in the creek; 

 walk towards the grass-thatch hut, 
 squat on the bamboo floor; 

 pass around the coconut wine, 
 watch the showers of man-made stars; 

 strum the guitar, 
 listen to the whistles firecrackers; 

 say goodbye to the moon, 
 pastel skies will arrive for the new year. 

 /totomai
2014/12/20

30 comments:

  1. Maybe we would not know the real stars when we have all the man-made ones.. There is a lesson to be learned there.. The fotos are amazing though.

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    1. Thanks Bjorn. difficult to distinguish which one is real in this modern times

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  2. Pleasures of course can be simple but that does not please big business.

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    Replies
    1. so true. wish we can all live simple lives. thanks Robin

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  3. Beautiful photos once more, Totomai! I would love to see the Luminouse Tunnel. I like your end-of-year poem & thinking about the 'pastel skies' arriving in the new year. I think this can be interpreted on many levels.

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    1. free from worries, pastel skies signify. it's a small tunnel but it's a photographer's haven. thanks Mary

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  4. I enjoyed the serene tone of your end of year poem and the image of the 'man-made stars' which shows we can share the light and the joy. Great photos, once again!

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    1. inspired by our celebration back home :) Thanks Gab

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  5. Love the coconut wine, great photos

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  6. great photos and lovely serene words through your eyes.

    gracias

    feliz dias de celebrciones

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  7. I prefer the images in the poem to those in the photos--though the technology is stunning and free. The poem is simply beautiful.

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    1. Thanks Susan, big contrast between Philippines and Japan in celebrating Christmas.

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  8. What a wonderful spot, the Luminous Tunnel. I especially like the first two shots, with the deep pink tones. It must be wonderful to walk inside it. Loved your poem too, remembering home........I am looking forward to brighter skies in the new year, too, Totomai! And to enjoying more of your work!

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    1. Same here Sherry. Looking forward to next year's. And by the way, I am drafting my photo book now. It's a poetry book and will be in black and white.

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  9. Another wonderful adventure both visually and poetically.
    ZQ

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  10. A feast for the eyes and soul...your photos make me think we are inside a Christmas ball/ornament on a Christmas tree....and I adore the black and white photo. And your end of year celebration is one that is simple, playful and soulful waiting for the break of dawn....love it all!

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  11. Aha...your Christmas psyche is a long way from TOKYO ( I'm pleased to see)Strumming a guitar
    on a bamboo floor is a part of you that you must never lose. Merry Christmas Totomai!

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  12. Beautiful shots Totomai! It is a unique fare to share. The perspective accorded a lot of depth into all of the shots. Still it takes talent to compose and you did it perfectly.And a most apt verse to welcome the new year!

    Hank

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  13. That sounds like a fantastic new years tradition.

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    1. I'll try to improvise that tradition here in Japan

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  14. That is an incredible tunnel.. all the lights and colours.. Really pretty!!

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  15. Totomai, no words...sigh. I think it's hard though for eyes these colors...Loved your short poem, wish you too the pastel sky to see more often, do shouts and post for your readers and friends. Thank you! Happy New Year! :)x

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any thoughts to distill?

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