Culture

Apr 12 2011 15 Comments

An old and traditional rice cracker shop

Tokyo’s busy, neon lit areas, are without a doubt fascinating places to wander around, but arguably, their older, less congested cousins, are even more interesting — or at the very least have more character.

Places where the old and new sit comfortably side by side, and tradition is never far away. Like this old rice cracker shop.

A building that undoubtedly shows its age.

As does the work that goes on in its dark interior. The continued practice of tried and trusted techniques that, possibly just like the business itself, have been passed down the generations.

All of which, needless to say, is wonderfully present in the product.

Apr 11 2011 19 Comments

Happy hanami!

The celebrations may well have been a little subdued this year, but with the cherry blossoms pretty much at their beautiful best, and the weather pleasantly warm, huge numbers of people were out and about in Tokyo’s parks and public places on Sunday.

And, along with the usual picnics, there were photos aplenty.

The odd heartfelt, and possibly blossom-related, ballad.

Plus, most significantly of all, lots and lots of laughter.

Apr 06 2011 14 Comments

Half-arsed hanami

Despite the unnecessary demands of Tokyo’s (hopefully outgoing) governor, Shintaro Ishihara, many people have already been out and about under the cherry blossoms this week. All of whom have, as expected, been enjoying themselves in a manner befitting recent events.

But, however people celebrate hanami, one constant is the military-like precision that goes into organising it. Not only do a time, place, and numbers need to be finalised and finely tuned, but the actual spot itself can often resemble a small, well equipped village; the likes of protective sheeting, furniture, and phenomenal amounts food and drink feasibly allowing those present to stay there for months.

Of course, there’s nothing at all wrong with that, but at the same time, it was nice to see a group of fellas with some cans from the convenience store just potter over. Put down some newspapers. And happily settle down for a few hours.

Apr 04 2011 17 Comments

Cherry blossom choices and Ishihara hypocrisy

Tokyo’s cherry blossoms are now well on their way to full bloom beauty, but, after everything that the country has been through, celebrations this year will, in many instances, be very subdued. In fact, some of the city’s popular hanami spots have curtailed activities, while others have asked people to simply not participate, or at the very least, do so quietly. A move that manages to strike a balance between those who feel that some kind of fun would allow people the much needed chance to blow off some steam, along with the equally valid point that exuberant celebrations could be deemed disrespectful.

Such a sensitive, common sense approach, however, is one Tokyo’s happily racist governor, Shintaro Ishihara, is clearly incapable of; the bespectacled bigot instead proclaiming, “This is not an era in which people at this time of year may drink viewing cherry blossoms, even during daytime.”

Comments that, although a little extreme and unnecessarily dictatorial, can still be viewed as the wishes of someone who just wants the capital’s citizens to be aware of those who, whether directly or indirectly, are still suffering from the devastating earthquake and tsunami. The trouble is though, only four days after the catastrophe, Ishihara declared the events of March 11 to be “divine punishment”. Then elaborating further by adding, â€œTaking advantage of the tsunami, Japanese people should wash away their selfish greed. I think that the tsunami is a punishment from Heaven.â€

Contrasting comments that display a level of hypocrisy that’s rare even amongst politicians, and a degree of insensitivity that is simply staggering. Actually, insensitivity really isn’t the right word, although I’m not at all sure what is.

But of course, people don’t need to be told what to do. Similarly, they are more than capable of deciding what is appropriate. And when. For some that’s a few drinks with friends and family, whereas for others, it’s the equally relaxing practice of painting some pictures.

Mar 29 2011 10 Comments

Audio and pictures of a Noh actor practicing

Despite being well aware that the words would be unfathomable, and the story even less clear, I’ve always wanted to attend a Noh performance; the masks in particular, and also the mood created by the torchlight if it’s done traditionally, undoubtedly creating an incredible spectacle. Certainly not one to be easily forgotten, that’s for sure.

Seeing a Noh performer practicing in the sunshine, and sadly sans mask, on the other hand, obviously can’t match such ideals, but nevertheless, it’s still a mesmerising sight.

The moves.