The one thing I love about living in Japan is all of the culture there is to enjoy. I always enjoy going to shrines in the New Year, watching the streets of Tokyo fill with Kimono clad girls for Coming of Age Day, the edges of the rivers and parks turning pink with the blooming of the Cherry Blossoms, and the Right-Wing Nationalist face off with the Tokyo Riot Police on Constitution Day. I also love the yearly Jiyugaoka Matsuri. Ah Tokyo... All of these provide me great opportunities for photography. I know I am blessed with endless subject matter around me living in Tokyo. I truly believe I have picked the right hobby for the city I live in. I shot it last year and decided to try it again this year but try it on film. I just love the look of film. I was pleasantly surprised when I got my film back from the lab.

Today's Configuration: Leica M6-J , Kodak Portra 160 and various lenses, most my Noctilux 50mm f/0.95.

I quickly bumped into the owner of Popeye Camera out enjoying the festivities... I love his shop. There is such a character and charm to it. I know one day I will end up putting down a few grand and buying another camera while I there getting some film developed. I love the selection of cameras he has. While I only shoot Leica and my Mamiya 645 now I could see me adding a few Nikons, Hassey or a Rollei to my collection.

I'll use the same description I used last year. "It’s a bit hard to explain a Matsuri if you haven’t experienced one but basically people gather in town squares to socialize, drink and occasionally carry this shrine around…"

Matsuri is a festival that is usually sponsored by the local shrine or temple. There are no specific days for Matsuri Festivals but they are typically late summer or early autumn. Festivals are always great for taking photographs as people are always happy to have their photo taken and there is usually a lot going on. If you are not comfortable photographing strangers then this is a great environment to get started.

People are happy to pose for you...

After hours of this these guys are starting to look pretty tired... or perhaps pretty tired from drinking.

These guys are still having fun...

This little boy was fearless...He was commanding the entire group to his will.

Taking a well deserved break from 'shrine marching'...

Such an interesting face... I was glad this guy stopped to pose for a picture. I absolutely love how this image came out. I am going to look for this guy when I head to the matsuri again next year.

There were cops everywhere standing off at a distance watching some of the younger and rougher attendees of the festivals. As it gets later in the day and saki and beer continues to flow the trouble eventually happens.

Me in the mirror.... Matsuri style. I look like a giant! I can't believe all the people in the street behind me. It is absolutely packed! I love this series of photographs I have been doing. As a photographer it is great to pick a theme of something to continue to shoot. It will keep your eyes sharp as you are out on the street and on the lookout for. For me its cones and mirrors. I find them everywhere. I even see them in places that others do not.

I see this guy every year...

He turned out to be a friend of my friend Pieter... such a small world.

I ended up bumping into the two guys in the middle when I was on my way back from picking up my prints. I ended up giving them all of the prints of them and their friends...