Photographs from a small group of islands
When out and about in their work gear, office staff and the like are lucky in that they can simply blend in, allowing them to go for a few post-work beers or do a bit of shopping without garnering even a second glance.
Wrestlers, on the other hand, really don’t have it so easy. Like the poor fella below for example. The hat is a lovely touch, and the backpack could well be perfect for carrying his cape, but he’s still not exactly what you’d call inconspicuous.
Japan’s rapidly ageing population is set to cause all kinds of problems in the coming years, not least of which will be the massive drain on what’s going to become a dwindling pool of tax payers.
Yet aside from the obvious benefit to those not dead yet, there are advantages; such longevity creating fabulously featured faces that are fantastic to photograph. And this particular old lady has a face full of stories, as well as the demeanor of one definitely not to be messed with.
Despite their constant and uncomfortable reminders, I’ve always found graveyards to be strangely relaxing places; in many ways the perfect spot for a quiet and contemplative wander on a weekend afternoon.
Pet cemeteries, on the other hand, have somehow always felt very different. Invariably quite disturbing if the truth be told. Although why exactly I don’t know.
This particular place in Tokyo’s western suburbs, however, is an unusual mixture of the two. It’s without a doubt extremely poignant, with silence and the smell of incense pervading every little corner.
But at the same time, its narrow, confusing and quite claustrophobic corridors — inside what seems to be some kind of octagonal-like structure — create an unusual and slightly uncomfortable environment to say the least.
All the more so as practically each and every little cubby-hole is filled with an urn and mementoes of all kinds.
Yet the very obvious joy that these animals once brought to their owners.
And which are now clearly very much missed.
Combine to make it like no other pet cemetery I’ve ever been to before.
Despite initially heading towards the capital, Typhoon No. 12 (Talas) changed course and instead plotted a course through the west of Japan; the huge amount of water it deposited on the region causing untold damage and numerous deaths.
A shift in direction that meant Tokyo got away with just some windy conditions and a few heavy downpours. Or certainly that’s how it seemed. But in the mountains at least, those showers must have been very heavy indeed, as yesterday, the normally meandering and placid Tama River, was amazingly turned into a swollen and fast-moving monster.
The father and daughter appear to be looking at the young cyclist.
She, in turn, seems to be glancing at me.
But the rather disturbing looking face is without a doubt staring directly at you.
