Close-up of eldery Jewish couple in studio.
The Road to Houryu-ji Temple.
This temple in Nara prefecture was Japan's first UNESCO world heritage site. In the grounds are some of the oldest wooden buildings in the world. It was founded in 607 by Empress Suiko and Prince Shoutoku.
Prince Shoutoku is a mysterious figure who ruled Japan as a regent prince. He wrote Japan's first constitution. However he died before he could become Emperor. Some say he was killed because he converted to Keikyo ("the religion of the light", ie what Christianity was called before the arrival of Francisco Xavier, since Xavier's time Christianity has been called Kirisutokyo in Japanese). There are some books available in Japanese about Houryu-ji talk about hidden evidence in the temple buildings that point to Shoutoku's conversion.
We have an interest in looking for evidence of pre Xavier Christianity and Judaism in Japan, so we decided to make the long trip (from Nagaokakyo out to Houryu-ji) via three trains and a bus.
'Women of the Wall' are evacuated following prayer services and collectively bussed out from the Western Wall under police escort for their protection. Death threats have been received on both sides of the divide in recent weeks. Jerusalem, Israel. 9-June-2013.

Violence prevented due to extreme police deployment at the Western Wall for the monthly prayer of 'Women of The Wall'. Ultra-Orthodox Jews object to 'Women of the Wall' donning prayer shawls and phylacteries in a manner reserved only for men.
Heated debates take place between ultra-Orthodox Jews and supporters of 'Women of the Wall' at the Western Wall. Death threats were received on both sides of the divide in recent weeks. Jerusalem, Israel. 9-June-2013.

Violence prevented due to extreme police deployment at the Western Wall for the monthly prayer of 'Women of The Wall'. Ultra-Orthodox Jews object to 'Women of the Wall' donning prayer shawls and phylacteries in a manner reserved only for men.
Police create a buffer zone to prevent violence at the Western Wall between 'Women of the Wall' and ultra-Orthodox protesters. Death threats have been received on both sides of the divide in recent weeks. Jerusalem, Israel. 9-June-2013.

Violence prevented due to extreme police deployment at the Western Wall for the monthly prayer of 'Women of The Wall'. Ultra-Orthodox Jews object to 'Women of the Wall' donning prayer shawls and phylacteries in a manner reserved only for men.
Police create a buffer zone to prevent violence at the Western Wall between 'Women of the Wall' and ultra-Orthodox protesters. Death threats have been received on both sides of the divide in recent weeks. Jerusalem, Israel. 9-June-2013.

Violence prevented due to extreme police deployment at the Western Wall for the monthly prayer of 'Women of The Wall'. Ultra-Orthodox Jews object to 'Women of the Wall' donning prayer shawls and phylacteries in a manner reserved only for men.
Eggs thrown by ultra-Orthodox Jews at 'Women of the Wall' and the press at the Western Wall. Death threats have been received on both sides of the divide in recent weeks. Jerusalem, Israel. 9-June-2013.

Violence prevented due to extreme police deployment at the Western Wall for the monthly prayer of 'Women of The Wall'. Ultra-Orthodox Jews object to 'Women of the Wall' donning prayer shawls and phylacteries in a manner reserved only for men.
'Women of the Wall' are herded into an enclosure at the farthest edge of the Western Wall as police create a buffer zone to prevent violence. Jerusalem, Israel. 9-June-2013.

Violence prevented due to extreme police deployment at the Western Wall for the monthly prayer of 'Women of The Wall'. Ultra-Orthodox Jews object to 'Women of the Wall' donning prayer shawls and phylacteries in a manner reserved only for men.
Eggs thrown by ultra-Orthodox Jews at 'Women of the Wall' and the press at the Western Wall. Death threats have been received on both sides of the divide in recent weeks. Jerusalem, Israel. 9-June-2013.

Violence prevented due to extreme police deployment at the Western Wall for the monthly prayer of 'Women of The Wall'. Ultra-Orthodox Jews object to 'Women of the Wall' donning prayer shawls and phylacteries in a manner reserved only for men.
Close-up of eldery Jewish couple in studio.
Close-up of eldery Jewish couple in studio.
Close-up of eldery Jewish couple in studio.
See photo in original gallery.