Photographs from a small group of islands
Despite the red seeming somewhat unseasonal, this sensationally-shaped bonsai is still an absolute delight to behold.
And yet rather sadly, having spoke to one of the men managing this one and many others, it seems that who exactly started it, or even saw it through its first century, is totally and utterly unknown.
It could well be because of a lifetime of having to squat when squeezing one out, although thankfully that’s mostly avoidable now due to the welcome abundance of western bogs. Or there again, maybe squatting is as compulsory as kanji in education.
But either way, the ability to ‘sit’ in that position for a prolonged period of time without protesting in pain or unceremoniously seizing up is simply amazing.
In a time when religious belief is often used as a rallying cry, Japan makes a refreshing change with its decidedly carefree approach to faith, happily allowing for Buddhist funerals, Christian weddings and Shinto ‘christenings’ — the various doctrines of which, for many at least, are taken, quite literally in regards the latter, with a very large pinch of salt indeed.
And yet that said, many temples and shrines enjoy a surprisingly steady stream of visitors. From all walks of life. And of all ages. But whether it is down to something spiritual, more superstition-based, or merely a habit handed down from generation to generation, I simply don’t know.
But whichever it is. And whatever it is people wish for. Or want. Watching and wondering from afar is always fascinating.
After living in Tokyo for what some would consider a terribly long time, it has to be said that the likes of rabbits being taken out and about, and rabid Nazis traipsing about, can become rather unremarkable — run-of-the-mill even.
And yet kimonos, with their resplendent colours and classic cool, could never become that.
Quite the opposite in fact.
The foreign media almost always depicts Japan as some kind of hi-tech wonderland, continually touting its toilets that deal with way more than waste, along with robots to tackle whatever said toilets can’t do.
But scratch just a fraction below the surface, and tradition is often far more to the fore than technology. Then dig a little deeper, quite literally, and at this time of year nothing seems to have changed since the centre of the metropolis itself was all fields, let alone what are now just its western outreaches.
The seemingly unnecessary donning of a hard hat the only discernible nod to modernity. Well, that and the wellingtons.
