Worshipping the goddess of the sea

Michael Yamashita

A captain pays respect to Mazu (妈祖 māzǔ), the goddess of the sea, at a shrine in his boat before sailing from Longmen in Taiwan. The goddess is believed to protect her seafaring followers from the dangers of the ocean.

Michael Yamashita is an award-winning photographer who has been shooting for National Geographic magazine for more than 30 years. He specialized in Asia after spending seven years in the region following his graduation from Wesleyan University.

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