Sometimes you wonder

Shinto Shrine Near Fish Mkt 5
Originally uploaded by drtaxsacto.

There are a lot of different customs around the world and each offers an opportunity to both look at what is done there and what you would do in the same place. What caused the tradition to begin? Why does it continue? Does it give those who deal with it satisfaction? Are there any downsides that impede other actions in society? Are there hidden or unknown motives in the tradition?

I was in Tokyo in 1998 when this picture was taken and received an explanation of why these statues were covered - which was fundamentally unsatisfying. But what this very quiet little park, near the very noisy fish market and another religious shrine which was also noisy -taught me was when people come to our country what things do they see as different that I understand to be commonplace?