Project Report : Osaka

First day of out photographing. Everyone buys a one-day pass for the tram to tour the city.

The team encounters a family celebrating their child’s first visit to the Sumiyoshi Shrine. They explain that boys have the kanji 大 (big) written on their foreheads so that they will grow up big and strong, and girls have the kanji 小 (small) written on their foreheads so that they will grow up to be cute and gentle.

Paul looks happy after reading the fortune slip (omikuji) he drew, the best possible daikichi (great good fortune). But unfortunately for Momi-san, the interpreter, explaining the content written on the slip was no easy task.

Paul asks the priest why he’s sprinkling the ground with water. He’s surprised to hear about uchimizu, the Japanese custom of soaking the ground with water to cool down the air in the hot summer months.

Abiko Chuo shopping arcade.

Watching tako-sen (octopus balls sandwiched between rice crackers) being made. The kind man gives the team an extra cracker. Mmm, delicious!

This couple runs a bicycle shop. Thanks for the iced tea!

Taking a break with some shaved ice. But boy, is it hot out.

Yummy!

Off to the Shinsekai district.

Praying to Billiken, god of good fortune.

A woman we happen to meet in Shinsekai shows us to a theater and brings out an actor from his dressing room. Thanks so much for meeting with us before your show!

Selecting photos.