En-Musubi Photo | TrekEarth

Photographer's Note

The establishment of this shrine goes back 1500 years. This is an "en-musubi" shrine where people visit to pray for good luck in finding love. En=liaison or relationship, musubi or musubu is the verb meaning to tie a knot. Thus the word en-musubi could be translated to Relationship establishment in English. This day, they were preparing for a night wedding. These two ladies in uniform are called Miko, or Miko-san in more familiar terms. Miko is literally "shaman woman", "female shaman, or spirit medium" who convey oracles from Kami=spirit or divine, and currently means a "shrine maiden; consecrated to a deity" who serves at Shinto shrines. Shinto= “kami no michi” literally means the way of the divine. It is an indigenous religion of Japan. The ceremony begins by a procession of two individuals, lead by two Mikos followed by Gakuninn= instrument players. If the ceremony is to take place after 16:00 hours, Bamboo made Andonns= lanterns are placed on the ground to illuminate their way. This day I encountered two Miko- sans by accident, so I asked if I could take a photo of them. Gracefully, they accepted my proposal, thus this photo.

ikeharel, yanastallerova, siudzi, Cricri, sacimar, Kofman, danos, delpeoples, chanteuse, jlbrthnn, jhm, paololg, Angshu, kordinator ha puntuado esta nota como útil.

Critiques | Translate

holmertz (101890) 2011-12-06 10:47

Hello Nobu,
Everything is so delightfully clean and tidy and neatly designed, from the buildings to the lanterns (looking like baskets) and the carefully dressed Miko-sans. A show of quiet perfection, and as a photo a very good contribution to TE.
Kind regards,
Gert

[2]

siudzi (34141) 2011-12-06 11:13

Hi Nobu,

This is a great shot captured from a very good point of view to present that beautiful place and these two women perfectly dressed. Excellent idea, execution and a history. Very well done. Thanks for sharing.

Regards,
Malgorzata

dale54 (17750) 2011-12-06 11:24

very well done,and from film!hi nobu!nice light and colors to this pic,with 2 beautifull ladies!tfs! dr

Cricri (176) 2011-12-06 11:32

Hi Nobu
Intéressante note, deux beaux portrait de ces deux dames Miko, joliment vêtue pour la cérémonie, j'aime l'architecture entre les arbres, une très jolie composition
Belle soirée
cricri

mauro61 (53411) 2011-12-06 11:51

ciao Nobu,
ben inquadrata la scena con la pagoda di fondo e le ragazze nei tradizionali costumi.
Ripresa frontale con una luce ben gestita,
saluti
maurizio

sacimar (38173) 2011-12-06 14:47

Hello Nobu,

I like the composition, the building is really interesting, I like this kind of architecture, the detail of the women is a bonus, their dresses are beautiful, you captured the essence of this place, well done,

Best regards,

Sergio

danos (110407) 2011-12-07 0:26

Hello Nobu,
nice the view as the presentation of the En-Musubi shrine with the two young women to stand in front of the entrance of it, wearing their traditional costumes.I like the whole environment with the side trees to decorate pleasantly the shrine.

Regards,Danos

ikeharel (112393) 2011-12-07 1:03

Hi Nobu,
The red & white kimono's stand-out in picture, well in contrast to the fine area around the shrine.
You were lucky to get those ladies accepted your offer, and pose for you - they seem to be content with it...
Regards
Ike

delpeoples (60342) 2011-12-07 3:19

Salut mon cher Nobu-san

Your note is as fascinating as your photo. Of course we have all heard of the Shinto religion, but I know so little about its details. These Miko-sans look every bit as charming and enigmatic as your Note suggests. Especially with the backdrop of the ancient shrine in the background. Your photo is what TE is all about, thanks for sharing it.

Bonne amities
Lisa

chanteuse (210) 2011-12-07 6:07

Perfectly composed - with the curving roof positioned so as to join the curving tree branches - and the shrine not quite centered but more interestingly placed, also the path and the position of the Mikos.
I suppose they do not convey oracles these days? Very interesting information about Shinto too!
I find myself wanting to see them closer up - their costumes and faces! But this shot is a perfect introduction to them and to the shrine. :-)

jlbrthnn (76043) 2011-12-07 8:02

Hello Nobu,
This photo gathers magnificent elements of the lifestyle, refined, Japanese. The composition brings to light the harmony of the forms and the colors. These young people "priestesses" are magnificent. The quality of the realization is remarkable. Congratulations.
Have a nice day
Best regards
Joël

peppe59 (14555) 2011-12-07 9:10

Ciao Nobu,
These beautiful girls with clothes typical of your land, very interesting pagodas in the background.
great shot and congratulations
peppe

jhm (211734) 2011-12-08 4:50

Hello Nobu,

Truly a nice classic picture, you create a very good image with the two people in red and white clothing.
Depth and perspective are very well through the excellent angle
Excellent composition, lovely colors, sharpness and clarity be superb.
Very well done, TFS.

Best regards,
John

La_Tulipe (2798) 2011-12-08 13:10

Bonsoir Nobu,
Ces deux dames revêtues de leur costume traditionnel , ont fière allure devant musubi probablement très fréquenté.
Architecture typique du patrimoine japonais bien mise en valeur sous de bonnes lumières
Amitiés
Brigitte

batalay (41261) 2011-12-09 9:08

Hello Nobu,

The photograph leaves me speechless. It is a magnificent rendition of the two young woman in colorful (red and white) kimonos set against a dark background. There is just enough symmetry breaking to make the photo more interesting than one with perfect symmetry (an egg shape, a prolate spheroid, is more interesting than a sphere. There is a deeper story). Your note is informative and a pleasure to read.

Warm regards, Nobu, have a good weekend.

Bulent

lakshmip1949 (19081) 2011-12-09 11:55

Hello Nobu,

What a beautiful shot with very interesting architecture and the women who have dressed alike standing in a nice pose. The colors and sharpness are superb. The red color clothes stand out well.

Lakshmi

paololg (31448) 2011-12-10 10:25

Ciao dear Nobu,
pleasant and interesting examples of culture, religion and tradition in Japan. I read with great interest your notes, explanatory and very complete, perfect to accompany this significant and beautiful image of these two Miko, that graciously pose for your photo. The lanterns and the side light tell us that the photo was taken after 16.00, and once again you have shown to well manage the light and the sharpness, getting vivid and nice colors, especially considering that this is a scan from negative. I hope to admire more many your beautiful images from Japan. Congratulations!
Ciao, have a nice Sunday!
Paolo

Longroute (19600) 2011-12-23 3:04

Mostly iconographic of Japan.
A perfect composition and a very fine and neat image. So fine is the Shinto temple and so nice are the two ladies.

Compliments and thanks for sharing,

Donato

Angshu (56760) 2011-12-31 8:26

Hello dear Nobu-san!
Its been quite a while since we have interacted. I thought you had taken a recess from posting, but when I saw your latest pots, I went to your gallery & found that my notion was wrong!
We don't see much pictures from your native country & also ones which depict your rich culture. Here we have both. The shrine is beautiful in the BG in dark shades of grey while the red dress of the Miko-sans stand out!

I wish you & your dear ones the very best for 2012 Nobu-san! Let the New Year bring you lots of joy, prosperity, good health & may your wishes come true!

With Warmest Regards
Angshuman

kordinator (8738) 2012-02-13 9:25

Hello Nobu
I am not very familiar with Japanese history and culture.
Only slightly from the movies.
The only thing I know is that you have a very elegant buildings characteristic.
Such is the example here with this temple.
Much is at your festival, I learned here.
Really wonderful to work with two wonderful ladies who paint their clothes make a great contrast with the architecture.
Excellent photos, very high quality
Besr regards from very cold Serbia.
Saša

nikkitta (17070) 2012-03-08 14:16

Hola Nobu

Very good composition with an informative text
Interesting building and like the traditional dresses of the women, also the flowers in their head

Greetings and TFS
Finishing the third [email protected] from Murakami