Attribution 4.0 International

Market outside of Dali, Yunnan.
2001

A Chinese Catholic priest walks by the statue of Mateo Ricci, the founder of South Cathedral in China.

The center walkway leading to many official buildings had this dragon design carved in marble. This was the Emperor's "carriage" or walkway over which the Emperor was carried to the building. No one else could enter on this center walkway. (China)

Signage for public places is very thorough - using as many pictures as possible to accommodate the many travelers from overseas. Hiroshima, Japan by Tim Jekel

Politician's Van in Kobe, Japan the day before an election

If this doesn't bring in customers in Japan in the middle of summer, I don't know what does!

In the city of Kobe there are historical sights tucked away through out the modern buildings. This picture depicts a corner of the Ikuta Shrine in Japan with one of the many hotels in the background. The shrine is lost in the midst of department stores, restaurants and hotels. One would never know it is there if they were looking in the wrong direction.

The Otsuka Museum in Japan is a curious place. There are hundreds of reproductions of Western Masterpieces, brought to the Japanese public courtesy of Mr. Otsuka, a pharmaceutical tycoon. One can praise Mr. Otsuka for bringing such treasures to Japan, but there is also an oddness to the collection. While the 3 dimensional pieces work reasonably well, the paintings fall flat--they lack the luster of the oils and temperas of not only the originals, but also of painted reproductions. A printed ceramic tile technique was used for all works in the collection--hence my inclusion in the technology segment of the portal. Susan Brown, July 14, 2010

This is a bento boxed lunch purchased for consumption on the Bullet train in Japan. It is customary to purchase said bentos for long travel for office lunch, but frowned upon in Japanese society if eaten on a short distance train, or eaten while walking.

Otis' wife made these amazing chips at Otis' Tex-Mex Vegetarian Restaurant, Hiroshima, Japan . Keep in mind the portion of food in Japanese cuisine...very different from American portions. The restaurant, by the way, does offer chicken and beef.