Elissa Bogos, Photographer and Journalist

Japan: Central and Southern Japan

Japanese Muslim women pray while their daughters listen to their iPod at a mosque in Central Japan. September, 2008.
   
Two priests of the shrine at Miyajima in Southwestern Hiroshima prepare for a sacred dance on NewYears. January, 2009.
   
A tailor adjusts the dress of a bride before her Shinto wedding ceremony at a temple in Tokyo.
     
  
Performers at a Taiko (traditional Japanese drumming) festival in Matsumoto, Japan. 2008.
  
A Chinese woman confrontsthe Japanese police at a rally for the Beijing Olympic torch that passed through Nagano city. April, 2008.
  
The mayor of Shiojiri city, wearing a mask and superman outfit, pins down an opponent in a wrestling match at a Shiojiri festival. 2008.
     
  
Men sing traditional songs as they pull a portable shrine at a local festival. October, 2008.
   
A man smokes a cigarette while his monkey bows for the crowd in Hiroshima. January, 2009.
   
A woman and her child throw water on a statue at Zenko-ji temple believed to protect children. January, 2009.
     
  
A woman and her daughter pray in front of the Rokujizo statues at Zenjo-ji temple. The statues represent the six Bodhisattvas who gave up their enlightenment in exchange for the ability to obtain salvation for others. January, 2009.
   
A man has his picture taken in the Sapporo clock tower. Sappor, Japan, 2009.