betsu ni (nothing in particular)

After what seemed like an endless string of hot and sunny days, unsettled weather has returned to the Kanto Plain. The clouds do a lot to keep the temperature down during the day, although the associated increase in humidity is a bit of a drag. This morning, I woke up to the sound of light rain tapping on my window. I always enjoy rain, but I pray it clears out this evening. I need to hang my laundry out to dry.

I have a busy weekend ahead of me - well, a busy Sunday, at least. I’m not sure what I’ll be doing Saturday, but come Sunday, I’ll be paying a visit to Comic Market 68. Unlike anime and manga fan conventions in the United States, Comic Market (or Comiket, for short) is little more than a giant flea market where doujinshi artists gather to share and sell their work. Even though I don’t intend to buy much (if anything at all), I’ve always wanted to attend. You can learn more about Comiket here.

August 12, 2005 | 10:25 AM | Posted in Anime, Life, Photography, Places

Comments

Mohammad | August 12, 2005 | 7:10 PM

Are the wooden blocks in the second photo charms used in festivals?

I hope you get some very good photos in Comiket ^_^

Jeff Lawson | August 12, 2005 | 8:25 PM

Not quite. They’re called “ema”, and are purchased and hung on the grounds of Shinto shrines. Basically, you buy one, write your wish on it, and hang it on a rack, and hope the deity of that particular shrine will grant said wish.

As you can see in the photo, some of the ema are personalized, while some contain generic wishes.

Anyway, I’m not sure how much photography I’ll be able to do at Comiket. They’re pretty strict about where, what, and when you can photograph.