Tokyo Photo News April 2015

　The Edo Yoshiwara Oiran-dochu Procession was unveiled on April 12 during the Kannon-ura Ichiyo Sakura-matsuri Festival on the north side of Sensouji Temple inAsakusa. The oiran (geisha ), dressed in glamorous outfits weighing about 30 kilograms, paraded down Komatsubashi-dori Street in the distinctive traditional Yoshiwara gait known as soto-hachi- monji, where the feet trace the Japanese character for eight in each step.

(Photo taken April 12, 2015)

　The shidare (weeping) cherry blossoms at the RyushuinTemple in Akiruno reached their peak on April 12. The temple of the Rinzai school of Buddhism was established some 600 years ago and its grounds are replete with the flowers of azaleas, weeping forsythias, and rape blossoms. Because visitors can also enjoy the changing colors in autumn, the Ryushuin is commonly known as the “temple of flowers and autumn colors.”

(Photo taken April 16, 2015)

　The Grand Spring Festival was held at the Yakuouin Temple, Mt. Takao on April 19. Around 100 o-chigo children dressed in fancy attire marched down the approach road to the temple from the Juichi-chome chaya tea house in a lively parade.
*In the Shinto tradition, o-chigo is the name for valued young children who symbolize purity and innocence.

(Photo taken April 19, 2015)

　Governor Masuzoe returned to his office on April 30 , a month after undergoing therapy for the hip joint. On his first day back, he went around to greet city council members and gave a report on his return at a meeting with executive staff members.

(Photo taken April 30, 2015)