pjan vandaele's photostream  

Close-up of omikuji (おみくじ) shot at Heian-jingu, Kyoto, Japan.
View it large on black.

Some info on omikuji
These paper strips contain random fortunes and form some kind of sacred lottery at Shinto shrines or Buddhist temples. You can get one by make a small offering and their predictions range from great good luck (dai-kichi or 大吉) to great bad luck (dai-kyo or 大凶). By tying the paper around tree branches or cords, good fortune will come true or bad luck will be averted.

Prayer/Wish pendula at a very small shrine close to the Yasaka pagoda, Gion, Kyoto.
It is best viewed in large, on black.

Thanks to all for the very nice comments, faves and pushing my previous capture to explore and to the explore front page!

Thank you so much for all the great comments, faves and visits!

Front page on October 27, 2009!
Heading South

Thanks all (again), I'm looking forward to your photographs, my friends!

Explored #6
View on black

Flock of geese flying towards the setting sun at the nature reserve Bourgoyen-Ossemeersen, Ghent.

Shot taken at a traditional dyeing shop (Kobo Ai no Yakata) in Ohara, Kyoto area. Ai-zome (藍染め) or indigo dye is a traditional technique from ancient Japan; a process of fermentation of natural lye which is known as "Japanese Indigo Dye" or "Japan blue".

Apart from the crop, the picture is "as shot".