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Apr 16 2013 16 Comments

Bright Shinjuku, dark looks

Unlike some of the more glamorous areas of Tokyo, Shinjuku is very much on the gritty side; its dingy alleyways and litter-strewn streets giving it a distinctly down to earth feel.

But, when the sun shines it appears altogether brighter, with only the looks being very obviously dirty.

Japanese dirty looks

Categorized: Photography

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Hans ter Horst says

    4/16/2013 at 10:30 pm

    Hahaha, he’s not happy 🙂 Great shot!

    Reply
    • Lee says

      4/16/2013 at 10:34 pm

      Cheers!

      No, not in the slightest. But with that outfit, I’d have been disapointed if he was!

      Reply
  2. Hampus says

    4/16/2013 at 10:42 pm

    Charles Bronson’s Japanese doppelganger makes an appearance.

    Reply
    • Lee says

      4/17/2013 at 12:14 am

      Never even considered the resemblance, but yeah, it’s definitely there.

      Reply
  3. Matt says

    4/17/2013 at 12:01 am

    I’m guessing that in Japan even if people are unhappy about it, they will rarely confront you about it. He dfinitely makes the shot.

    Reply
    • Lee says

      4/17/2013 at 12:17 am

      Definitely. He’s the reason for the shot. In fact he is the shot.

      Some people will. Or at least they’ll tell you not to before you get the chance. But no, generally a dirty look is as far as most people go.

      Reply
      • ron says

        4/17/2013 at 4:04 am

        I think the child in teh stroller makes the shot – maybe because I have two kids of my own!

        Reply
        • Lee says

          4/17/2013 at 7:47 am

          Interesting. Always fascinated by how differently people see the same image. The Hello Kitty hat at an endearingly odd angle was only something I noticed when I uploaded the photo. A nice little detail that I was very happy about.

          Reply
  4. Theresa Amlong says

    4/17/2013 at 6:55 am

    You crack me up! That shot is great as that character is right where the eye is drawn, but your narratives are the best!

    Reply
    • Lee says

      4/17/2013 at 7:47 am

      Thank you!

      Reply
  5. Jeffrey says

    4/17/2013 at 8:51 am

    Lee,

    Careful there. 10 to 1 he’s got tattoos.

    Reply
    • Lee says

      4/17/2013 at 7:20 pm

      Hmm, never even considered that. Depending where I am I’m pretty careful, but in the middle of a busy street seemed safe enough. Hopefully that’ll always be the case.

      Reply
      • Squidpuppy says

        4/18/2013 at 1:27 am

        Is it still the case that most folks consider wearing sunglasses to be a sign of Yakuza? Very few Japanese seem to wear sunglasses regularly… I just find that weird. If the sun is bright, wear sunglasses; better for your eyes.

        Reply
        • Lee says

          4/18/2013 at 9:56 am

          They certainly still aren’t as popular as in many other countries, but a lot more people seem to wear them these days. Pretty sure the yakuza connection isn’t relevant anymore either.

          Reply
  6. Orbit says

    4/19/2013 at 10:45 am

    very cool shot. He reminds me of Anthony Wong as Superintendent Wong Chi-shing in Infernal Affairs http://is.gd/anthonywong

    Reply
    • Lee says

      4/20/2013 at 11:34 pm

      Cheers!

      I’ve also been told he looks a bit like Yujiro Ishihara. Clearly he has movie star looks!

      Reply

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