Globetrottin'

 As seen here, a young boy and girl are socializing under the strict rules of their people.  A boy and girl are betrothed to each other from birth, marking the only person of the opposite gender the girl can speak to.  She learns from an early age to serve her to-be husband by making him tea, all the while maintaining several feet of distance.  In several years, after the marriage ceremony, she will take part in the horrid tradition of dying her teeth black; this will soon lead to her death from the rotting of her teeth then skull.

 Here we see the enshrined flower species that they are offering up to the Daybot.  The carefully-selected species have been groomed for years by professional monk-gardeners who lovingly bathed them in the blood of their sacrifices (usually small rodents or birds).  The little stands they sit on are said to be ancient relics that the Daybot once blessed when wandering the country to convert people.  The pink flowers are especially beloved in Japan, as they represent the solidarity and matchmaking done under cherry blossoms in season.

Above, we see the geishas and samurais going to Sunday prayers to their Shinto shrine, which they -believe houses more than one God - how blasphemous they are!  The big lantern-like statue in front of the shrine emanates sacred energy which they bow before to gain the gods' blessing.  The curved rooftop represents the dragon's tail which is said to be good luck to have amulets of.  After the ceremony of burning incense and chanting, these geishas and samurais will all journey to the communal bath and engage in scandalous activities which are considered just as spiritual as their praying.

 Here, we see the natives' idea of fun - making wooden sandals.  As one of the few free time activities in Japan - the others being playing go and discordant instruments - many women enjoy making these while gossiping.  These horrible contraptions, comparable to their Chinese sisters' foot-binding, exact much pain on the wearer, yet are considered a sign of beauty and status.  Samurai all fight in these gaytah as a sign of their power and experience - it takes roughly 30 years of practice to be able to run and swing a sword in these unbalanced shoes.  Additionally, the Japanese public generally cannot afford shoes that cover their whole foot, so they must resort to these horrors.

The peasant in this image must travel ten miles a day with his trusty ox to deliver fans and baskets to neighboring villages.  The landscape seems sloped, so he clearly is journeying over the famed Mt. Fuji that is central to the Japanese culture.  They believe that many camee - gods - live on the volcano.  The peasant here was once a samurai, but you can tell from his scarf of disgrace around his head - not to be confused with the Grecian fashion present in Paris at this time - that he was kicked out for slandering the Emperor.  Coincidentally, the Emperor must make monthly trips to Mt. Fuji to renew his blessing from the camee and make sacrifices.