Photographs from a small group of islands
Baseball caps or warmer woolly affairs in winter are all well and good, but there’s definitely a certain something about a few of the more traditional forms of headwear — items that somehow hark back to a bygone era, when society and sensibilities were slightly different.
Or especially dissimilar in fact in some circumstances.
On a brisk but bright January day, arguably nothing sums up Shibuya better than some super-sized boots, sunglasses and a cigarette.
Along with an elaborate blonde bouffant as an added bonus.
In a time when modern fashion sense and cigarette restrictions rule, it’s extremely novel to see the triple whammy of traditional tobacco intake, togs,
and even a topknot.
For folks who like the jingle jangle of gold jewellery, Tokyo’s Ginza district has a veritable glut of such goods; all gettable for considerable amounts of cash — or indeed confidence.
But for those who have more modest means, or simply want something silver and simpler, there are still plenty of options available, along with the added bonus of staff who are as fashionable as their effects.
For Japanese men of a certain age, multi-pocketed vests are unfathomably deemed as desirable — de rigueur even.
But for photographing festivals,
it seems that these trusty little tunics also need to be supplemented with tightly rolled towels,
wrapped carefully around closely shaved crowns.
