Random Animal Encounters

Japan isn't unique in that you can run into wild (or domesticated wild) animals no matter where you go. I wouldn't be so silly to suggest that. You'd probably believe me as much as you believe some bloke telling Japan is the only country with four seasons, or Japan is the country that invented noodles.

But it doesn't mean I haven't seen some rather... interesting and unusual animals out here.

Once in my neighborhood, there was a dude that was casually just "walking" his pet hawk. He came into the park we were at and the hawk was sort of just... hopping next to his owner and flew around the park.

At Osaka Castle Park, there's often a man by the entrance who would be with his shiba in and sort of pose him like he was Hachiko. It's the strangest thing.

You also often see these owls there too:

watchu lookin at huh

It's not unusual for people to showcase their birds in a park or a big space. I've never spoken to these people, but in this case, I feel like there's more than one owner and maybe they're having some sort of "I own an owl and love owls" meet up. (whether you think it's ethical is up to you)

Recently, I saw a couple with their three chatty parrots in Kurashiki.

I said NO

They caused quite a scene with their sassy screeching. Later on in the day, I saw the couple walk away from where I first saw them. Presumably back home. Still chatty as ever.

Kurashiki seem to just really like their birds, because there is a pair of swans that "live" in the canal:

There's a corner with a bunch of all minnows, and another corner with a little docking hut. I assume this is why they stick around.

Really beautiful birds.

This next animal isn't unusual, but I can't say I've seen them often in Japan.

Horses.

In Canada, it wouldn't be rare at all. Driving outside of the city into farming areas, you would absolutely see a few horses and cows on your way. In Japan too, you might chance encounter some on your drive too of course, but I think this is my first time coming across some horses in the care of a shrine.

In Kotohira Hot Spring, if you do decide to climb up top to the rather infamous shrine that everyone who stops by goes to, there are these horses that are kept here. A bit of a surprise for me.

The other time I remember seeing horses was in the plateaus of Mt.Aso. Absolutely spectacular place. I can't think of a better place to keep a farm, honestly.

One of my favourite animals are cats. In my neighbourhood, there's a few strays that wander and you can tell that some specific houses are feeding them and making makeshift housing for them in their yards. I feel bad for them but I also don't have a home for them, so I'm glad there are people who are trying to do good by them.

In my travels, it's not unusual to run into cats either.

I ran into this lovely white cat on top of an observation point in Kagawa. She was unusually friendly with everyone who squatted down close to her. I assume she's looking for food. But it was just so friendly and beautiful - quite rare even for strays in Japan as they often are weary of strangers. I really wished I was able to take her home. T__T

Another kitty I made just walking

Onto another encounter recently...

There was a shrine I walked by in Kochi and I saw this...

Why are there CHICKENS at a shrine roaming freely??

I have no idea. Your guess is as good as mine... but if you're ever around Kochi City in Hirome Ichiba (the food market), it's actually around the corner from it. Next to the parking garage.

I hope they're not for eating......

New Years in Japan

Happy 2022 everyone! I really hope this year will bring some more joy in life, since the last two basically sucked for a lot of us. Really hoping this year will be a year where more of us will be able to properly move forward from any setbacks they've faced from COVID.

practicing my digital art skills lately...

I don't know how 2022 will be, but as I was doing my solo shrine visit(s) this year in the countryside (gotta get away from the people!), I'm told that this is one of my "disaster years" (厄年)...

Most Japanese shrines will have a sign like this saying split by gender and age. Of course, I for one believe that I am the maker of my own destiny, and a lot of things that may seem negative at first could have a positive overall outcome (in the distant future). So who knows?

There are definitely things in life that no matter how one spins it, it will always be negative. So let's all pray it never comes down to that...

An extra prayer and some extra shrine visits might rectify it... maybe..

That fortune does say VERY GOOD LUCK. So... a negative & positive... nullified?

I can't say I'm a religious person at all, but I do like to partake in these shrine visits in the beginning of the year. I see it a cultural thing more than anything. Most Japanese people who go to shrines and do their first shrine visit of the year are probably not religious themselves. It's just a habit.

Also it gives me a sense of security? And guidance? Growing up, I've always had someone telling me what to do and watching over me, and now that I'm an adult, I feel like I need some kind of a higher power that's not other adults to guide me. So while I don't 100% believe in these things, I do think they provide a good sort of... safety net. Grounding, if you will.

Japanese people also have a bunch of foods they like to eat to welcome the new year.

It's calls Osechi, and I think this LEGO build has the right idea:

I don't eat it because it's just so expensive to pay premade, too time consuming to make myself and for myself only, and I am a picky eater... so if you probably take out all the things I don't eat in it, it's basically just a normal Japanese meal for me LOL. Not worth the effort in my opinion.

But if you do have a chance to stay at a Ryokan during the new year in Japan, your place of stay may offer up some version of Osechi for breakfast -

The food offered in the wooden box is part of Osechi. Unfortunately what was offered were the items I don't eat... but I taught to have manner and to at least try it, so I did take a few bites. Just not my thing I guess.

The rest of the breakfast was lovely though.

I hope you guys are having a good new years so far!

ミラーボーラー星の旅 Planet of MirrorBowler @ PARCO Shinsaibashi

Another set of photos for a digital art exhibit that set up camp at PARCO Shinsaibashi until Feb 13, 2022. Mirrorbowler is a project group under ELEMENTS. I know I've been to several of their exhibit before, but the most notable one for me was their Himeji Castle one 2 years ago.

As you'll see below, their artistic features are their stain glass builds and using light in their builds. Any projection mapping they have is more of an aid & filling in background space.

If you absolutely love colour, you will love Mirrorbowler's stuff.

There was another exhibit on the same floor of these little characters, so it's incorporated in some of the art pieces.

The pattern moves!

This was their main centerpiece. Really beautiful creation!

The dome structure you see behind me are sort of their signature pieces, in my opinion. I personally love these domes because you can usually walk in and through them to enjoy it. But they're quite difficult to get photos of.

MIRRORBOWLER by ELEMENTS website