Photographs from a small group of islands
It’s not all that unusual for farmers to fashion scarecrows from mannequin heads and a few old clothes — a look that can be both surprisingly convincing as well as suitably scary.
Others, however, are either not so creative or simply can’t be bothered, and instead just make do by shoving a head on a stick.
It may well have only been the Tokyo Bay area, but vast expanses of water definitely make the mind wander.
Sometimes maybe even wandering as far as a little wistfulness.
Despite Japan’s obsession with conformity, when it comes to fashion, there are a good number of people who defiantly have nothing to do with such deference. Bold individuals who, whether one likes what they wear or not, brighten up the day with their creativity, or even courage.
Like this young lady for example, unconventionally combining East and West to construct her own, very distinct look.
When walking round Tokyo’s entertainment districts, or struggling once again to get on a horribly packed train, it’s hard to imagine that the country’s population is getting smaller. Yet shrinking it most certainly is, with fewer kids and more old people tipping the country towards a worrying imbalance.
A demographic shift that could well result in more scenes like this — one that offers us a look back into the past, as well as forward into an uncertain future.
Thankfully the title doesn’t in any way refer to a new and unpleasant take on that 1970’s pub favourite, chicken in a basket, but is instead a nod to a dog, quite literally, in a basket.
