Faces of Japan – March 2011 Japan Blog Matsuri

Welcome to the March 2011 edition of the Japan Blog Matsuri!  First, if you haven’t had a chance to check out the February Matsuri (Famous Japanese Events) hosted by loneleeplanet, please do!

Now, for March’s edition I chose the theme “Faces of Japan“. I wanted to see a collection of the faces of Japan that mean something to you for some reason, or simply inspire you.

I’ve actually been too busy to make my own submission (too busy enjoying my last month in Japan!) so I’ll simply include the above photo, which is of a close friend called Kazue. Kazue has looked after me and treated me like family since I’ve been in Japan, and it just wouldn’t have been the same without her! I’ve had some truly amazing experiences in Japan, and I owe many of them to Kazue – 本当にありがとう　かずえさん！:D

I would like to say a huge THANK YOU to the people who were able to enter. Unfortunately, there were only five entries. I expect this is in part due to the ongoing disaster in Japan (and hopefully not because the theme sucked…). I really appreciate the time that those five people spent to enter, especially when March really hasn’t been the best month here in Japan.

Some people think that it’s not right to celebrate anything at a time like this, but I disagree. I think it’s important to live in the moment and appreciate what you have. Life is short. So, without further ado, let the matsuri begin…!

☆☆*ﾟ ゜ﾟ*☆*ﾟ ゜ﾟ**☆*☆☆*ﾟ ゜ﾟ*☆*ﾟ ゜ﾟ**☆*☆☆*ﾟ ゜ﾟ*☆*ﾟ ゜ﾟ**☆*☆☆*ﾟ ゜ﾟ*☆*ﾟ ゜ﾟ**☆*

The first face of Japan is Blue Shoe‘s friend Steve:

I had thought that all the entries would be Japanese people, but I couldn’t resist this touching tale of friendship (or is that just a man-crush?!). 😉 Check out Just Another Day in Japan for the full story.

Next up: The Pink Power Ranger! Submitted by Reesan over at loneleeplanet:

The Pink Power Ranger looks like a bit of a naughty boy to me! 😉

The next entry is called “A Japanese Tourist in Lima” and is about just that!

With thanks to Through Eyes From Afar for an informative post.

All of the entries are fantastic but, as an amateur photographer, I have to say I think the next picture is absolutely gorgeous:

Brought to you by The Soul of Japan, this entry talks about “hako-iri musume”  or “cloistered daughter”. “In other words, a sheltered and overly protected child who knows absolutely nothing about the world. I’d say there’s a large swath of Japanese ladies under the age of 30 who know absolutely nothing about themselves, their country, and the world.”

Last but not least, Alice at SuperHappyAwesome brings us another beautiful photo:

This final entry is about the Strange Kinoko Dance Company (珍しいキノコ舞踊団), who I definitely want to check out now!

Once again, a big thank you to everyone who entered! Please check out all the entries and leave them some love and comments! 😀

The April Japan Blog Matsuri will be hosted by NihongoUp. If you would like to be a host in the future or just find out more, please check out the Japan Blog Matsuri FAQs page.