Tattoo artist Horicho II at work: this tattoo on the back of one of his clients shows the bodhisattva Kannon. It takes a few months to finish this tattoo. Horicho II works in the traditional way that can be traced back to the latter years of the Edo period in Japanese history. The people who carried out such tattooing tended to be ukiyoe woodblock artists, who simply exchanged their wood-carving blades for long, sharp needles. Asakusa, Taito-ku, Tokyo, Japan. 2006.
KANAZAWA Yuji, 68. Asakusa, Taito-ku, Tokyo, Japan. 2006.
In front of a window display: two men look at advertisement posters of a small movie theater. Asakusa, Taito-ku, Tokyo, Japan. 2006.
In front of Senso-ji, an ancient Temple dedicated to Kannon, the Goddess of Mercy, visitors burn joss sticks and fan the smoke towards their bodies. With the five storied pagoda in the background. Asakusa, Taito-ku, Tokyo, Japan. 2006.
Monk in front of a drum. At Asakusa Kannon, officially named Senso-ji, dedicated to the bodhisattva Kannon. It is Tokyo's oldest temple and one of its most significant. According to the legend, a statue of the Kannon was found in the Sumida River in 628 by two fishermen, the brothers Hinokuma Hamanari and Hinokuma Takenari. The chief of their village, Hajino Nakamoto, recognized the sanctity of the statue and inshrined it by remaking his own house into a small temple in Asakusa so that the villagers could worship the Kannon. Asakusa, Taito-ku, Tokyo, Japan. 2006.
Scene insides Senso-ji, an ancient Temple dedicated to Kannon, the Goddess of Mercy. Asakusa, Taito-ku, Tokyo, Japan. 2006.
Scene insides Senso-ji, an ancient Temple dedicated to Kannon, the Goddess of Mercy. Asakusa, Taito-ku, Tokyo, Japan. 2006.
Cemetery inside a temple compound in the northern part of Asakusa. With apartment buildings in the background. Asakusa, Taito-ku, Tokyo, Japan. 2006.
AOYAMA Rinka, 28. Asakusa, Taito-ku, Tokyo, Japan. 2006.
Wrestler Musashi Ooyama concentrates prior to his fight. At a place called "Fight Club". Asakusa, Taito-ku, Tokyo, Japan. 2006.
Wrestler "Lee Gaku Who?" after his fight at a place called "Fight Club". Asakusa, Taito-ku, Tokyo, Japan. 2006.
Owner of a small restaurant watches a Sumo bout on television. Asakusa, Taito-ku, Tokyo, Japan. 2006.
Modern apartment buildings in the district of Asakusa. Asakusa, Taito-ku, Tokyo, Japan. 2006.
SAKUMA Yasuko, 43. Asakusa, Taito-ku, Tokyo, Japan. 2006.
OIKAWA Nobita (with sword), member of the comedy group "Samurai Nippon", talks backstage to comedian UESUDA, prior to their show. At the theater "Asakusa Toyokan". Asakusa, Taito-ku, Tokyo, Japan. 2006.
Magician and comedian ARAKI Tomoe, 27, backstage after her show. At the theater "Asakusa Toyokan". Asakusa, Taito-ku, Tokyo, Japan. 2006.
Scene at the entrance of a small movie theater. Asakusa, Taito-ku, Tokyo, Japan. 2006.
Street scene in front of "Wins", a place where thousands of people gather every weekend for horse race betting. The pictures on the wall show scenes from traditional Asakusa festivals. Asakusa, Taito-ku, Tokyo, Japan. 2006.
The district of Yoshiwara is located north of Asakusa. Yoshiwara had been a licensed brothel area since the late seventeenth century, but is known today for its many "Soaplands". Jun, 20, a former waitress, works from one o'clock until midnight at a Soapland named "Geihinkan" (State Guest House). She is saving money to attend a nail school in the future. Asakusa, Taito-ku, Tokyo, Japan. 2006.
SUZUKI Shinichi, 82. Asakusa, Taito-ku, Tokyo, Japan. 2006.
Members of a prominent Yakuza gang (Japanese mafia) leave a festival at Otori Shrine. Asakusa, Taito-ku, Tokyo, Japan. 2006.
Members of a prominent Yakuza gang (Japanese mafia) have diner at a small restaurant in Asakusa. With the boss sitting in the middle, wearing a fur of a white fox. Asakusa, Taito-ku, Tokyo, Japan. 2006.
Members of a prominent Yakuza gang (Japanese mafia) have diner at a small restaurant in Asakusa. Personal body guard of the boss of the gang. Asakusa, Taito-ku, Tokyo, Japan. 2006.
Geisha Seiko. Asakusa, Taito-ku, Tokyo, Japan. 2006.
Geisha Seiko puts on make-up. At her private house in Asakusa. Asakusa, Taito-ku, Tokyo, Japan. 2006.
Geisha Seiko puts on her Kimono, with the help of her Hakoya, Chiba San. At her private house in Asakusa. Asakusa, Taito-ku, Tokyo, Japan. 2006.
Two Geishas and one musician on their way to the stage, prior to their performance. At "Tokyo Asakusa Kumiai". Asakusa, Taito-ku, Tokyo, Japan. 2006.
Geisha Sayoko. Most famous Geisha in Tokyo. Asakusa, Taito-ku, Tokyo, Japan. 2006.
Backstage view of a performance of three Geishas. At "Tokyo Asakusa Kumiai". Asakusa, Taito-ku, Tokyo, Japan. 2006.
Tokyo's most famous Geisha, Sayoko, finishes her performance, bows towards the guests while the curtain is closing. At "Tokyo Asakusa Kumiai". Asakusa, Taito-ku, Tokyo, Japan. 2006.
