• Skip to main content
  • Skip to footer

Tokyo Times

Photographs from a small group of islands

  • Photowalks
  • Book and Prints
  • Newsletter
  • Portfolio
  • About/Contact
  • Follow
    • Facebook
    • Twitter
    • Instagram
    • RSS

Nov 12 2021 9 Comments

A Tokyo story we will likely never ever know

We all contain stories and painful feelings that only those close to us will ever know. Even then it likely won’t be everything. Then there’s the person sat opposite on the train perhaps, or maybe someone at work — there’s always so much that we are utterly unaware of. Very often there’s little or no hint either, as publicly at least, the vast majority of us tend to keep a good deal inside. The lady below, however, seemed different. It was her expression that initially caught my eye, but then I saw what she was carrying. Something she held so carefully and so close. A very visible story, and yet even then it’s one we will almost certainly never know. Instead, it’s one we can only speculate on, and at the same time hope that despite it all she’s doing okay.

an unknown Tokyo story

Categorized: Photography

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Celine says

    11/12/2021 at 11:28 am

    I have so many questions I want to ask. Thank you for sharing these Tokyo lives no matter how sad they might be. I do hope it’s not as sad as it appears………

    Reply
    • Lee says

      11/13/2021 at 9:09 am

      You are very welcome. Likewise. Lots of questions, and absolutely no answers. But yes, hopefully not…

      Reply
  2. cdilla says

    11/13/2021 at 6:13 pm

    This is another instance of your words adding much to an already remarkable photograph.
    That is a Danish Maileg mouse. Mrs Cdilla has several of them and they have very characteristic faces.
    To see such a happy little face being carried with that gentleness and care by someone with an altogether different expression really does tell of a secret story.
    It reminds me in pose of the man carrying that tortiose in Asakusa.

    Reply
    • Lee says

      11/14/2021 at 11:20 am

      Thanks a lot. That’s really good to hear as initially I didn’t plan on writing anything.

      Ah, intersting. Had no idea what it is. Even less idea it was a well known toy. And yeah, the contrast is really jarring to say the least. Stopped me in my tracks that’s for sure.

      Yes, it is a bit. Similar pose but a very different feeling…

      Reply
      • John says

        11/20/2021 at 7:07 am

        I don’t have much to add other than emphasis. cdilla has said it well! It’s a remarkable photo and your words have hit the nub. It’s a story sad and sweet that would certainly be worth the telling and the hearing. I do hope that, as good stories do, the sadness contrasts with the sweetness and reveals the good – I hope it has meaning.

        Reply
  3. Richard says

    11/13/2021 at 11:00 pm

    I hope she has someone to confide in.

    Reply
    • Lee says

      11/14/2021 at 11:23 am

      Yes, me too.

      Reply
  4. Anne says

    11/17/2021 at 5:45 am

    What I noticed were her shoes. Not quite matching the rest of the ensemble but somehow fitting.

    Reply
    • Lee says

      11/17/2021 at 5:12 pm

      Yes. To be honest, I didn’t really notice her shoes ‘til I was editing the photo, when the colour of them really popped out. Totally agree though. Unexpected perhaps, but somehow also just right.

      Reply

Leave a Comment Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Footer

Copyright © 2025 · Tokyo Times