In Japan, garbage is carefully separated and sorted by “burnable”, “unburnable”, and other various categories, like glass and metal. Generally, each city is divided into “towns”, and each “town” can have someone who is responsible for such issues like misappropriated refuse.

It seems, in my “town”, someone hasn’t been sorting their garbage correctly. So on this morning the “garbage police” were out to catch the culprit. Either they find the person responsible, or the “lead person” will have to assume responsibility and re-sort the bag.

When I approached, one person immediately inspected my bag. I was a little surprised, but all was well as it was declared to be OK. It’s fairly natural for people to assume that I could be the offender since many non-Japanese here don’t always understand all the rules for recycling.

All said and done, I wish my own country had such stringent rules for recycling.

Does Japan have “red light” districts? Well, not “exactly”…but most big cities have grungy “entertainment” quarters like this. And smack-dab in the middle of this one is an equally grungy toilet.

More on the “entertainment” quarters later.

It is the one the busiest tourist days in Kyoto, and so there are many maiko, apprentice geisha, walking around the Gion area in Kyoto.

Wisteria (藤 – fuji) are blooming in Japan, so people are starting their weekend with beautifully presented mochi (もち), glutenous rice with sweet beans. It goes perfectly with powdered green tea (抹茶 – matcha).

During this off-the-wall Japanese festival, walking minstrels were collecting money for the victims of the Great Tohoku Earthquake.

It was rather sublime, listening to this lone saxophone while taking in cherry blossoms (sakura).

Basically what we have here are some Japanese “hoods” having a great time spitting on carp (coy fish).

First off, the term “yankee” in Japanese (ヤンキー) stands for “delinquents” or “hoods”. They’re part of a subculture of delinquency that includes the likes of bosozoku and chinpira. Basically, the subculture resists the rules of society, opting instead to act out, or irreverently in public, following their own rules or code instead.

They sometimes try to play on Japanese society’s tolerance to gain pity or support, as if they’re disadvantaged in some unfair way, or looked down upon for reasons beyond their control.

Here’s a popular manga title here. And here’s a cheesy clip titled “Chimpira” that’ll give you an idea.