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Jul 30 2021 12 Comments

A tiny and incredibly urban Japanese garden

When space is at a premium, and greenery is just as sparse, it’s sometimes a case of simply making the most of what little you’ve got.

a tiny urban Japanese garden

Categorized: Photography

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. ellen says

    7/30/2021 at 11:16 am

    I want to buy her so many colorful flowers! 🙂

    Reply
    • Lee says

      7/30/2021 at 7:06 pm

      I’m sure she’d appreciated them. Maybe some more plant pots too!

      Reply
  2. cdilla says

    7/30/2021 at 3:47 pm

    You have such a gift for capturing an already interesting scene with the perfection of just the right person at just the right time.
    I wonder what the plant is. There appears to be some big greenary behind that wonderful narrow doorway on the right. Can’t get a lot of light down there though.

    Reply
    • Lee says

      7/30/2021 at 7:12 pm

      It’s genuinely lovely when such scenes present themselves. Nearly didn’t get this one though. Initially I was on the wrong side of the street, and cos of traffic, didn’t think I’d get across quick enough to take it. But fortunately managed to get in position just before she went indoors, and just before a bus came past. This was my first frame. The second was the side of the bus…

      No idea what the plant is, but possibly an absolutely giant weed behind the doorway.

      Reply
  3. john says

    8/1/2021 at 10:48 pm

    To shine one corner of the world, eh! The watering can suggests some ongoing intent!

    A few Olympic themed planters handed out to those living in tents might have solved the Olympics ‘good impressions of Tokyo’ quandary.

    I’m glad that I am not left puzzled about a bus photograph (unless suitably Manga/mascot themed of course).

    Reply
    • Lee says

      8/2/2021 at 6:55 pm

      Yes, she’d just been out watering them. Thankfully it took longer than expected and allowed me time to get a shot.

      The Olympics is such a weird one. Regardless of the politics, risks etc, it’s a massive global event happening on my doorstep and yet it may as well not be as it’s completely out of reach. A real disconnect.

      The bus photo would have no more than that — a boring bus photo!

      Reply
  4. Richard says

    8/1/2021 at 11:19 pm

    On the one hand, one can applaud the person’s diligence in sustaining some greenery in her surroundings. One the other, one could wonder at how dismal that aspect of life in Tokyo can be. Sigh…..

    Reply
    • Lee says

      8/2/2021 at 6:59 pm

      Yeah, I simply took a small garden for granted as a kid. Somewhere to play, hangout etc. And obviously somewhere green.

      Now I realise how lucky that was. Many people living in and around Tokyo would be beyond happy with something like that.

      Reply
      • Richard says

        8/2/2021 at 8:09 pm

        Many years ago a Scottish friend of ours moved to Tokyo. She lamented the fact that there was no space for a vegetable garden where she was living. For a few years she went to a community garden where she could grow some veggies on her own. Sadly, she got busy with raising her children and working. So she gave up the garden because of the time required to travel there. Living in Tokyo offers many benefits. But this is not one of them.

        I hope you are doing ok.

        Reply
        • Lee says

          8/2/2021 at 10:22 pm

          There’s one of those just near me. Amazing what they have growing in their tiny little spaces. But yeah, time is essential. I imagine the people there wouldn’t take kindly to a somewhat neglected plot either.

          I’m doing ok thanks. Or at least I’m managing, anyway. Some days are really hard, others a little easier, but that’s obviously going to be the case for a long time. Keeping busy and my mind distracted helps. But there again, it’s important to take the time to reflect on things as well. Whatever works best each day basically. Thanks again for the kind thought.

          Reply
  5. LAObserver says

    8/3/2021 at 6:11 am

    I have recently read several articles on a relatively new condition called Nature Deficit Disorder (NDD). Nature deficit disorder is as yet unrecognized by medical and research communities. But researchers are pointing to it more often as resulting in our own need to see/feel the real world on some level. Hence a planter of any size may have substantial value to the inner person; especially electronics addicted children.

    Reply
    • Lee says

      8/3/2021 at 8:51 pm

      That’s interesting. Makes so much sense too. I’m lucky where I live, as it’s right next to a genuinely nice canal. Other people I know, on the other hand, are surrounded by concrete and tarmac. That must have an impact in some way or another.

      Reply

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