Photographs from a small group of islands
Tokyo’s concrete environment and incredible urban density means any vegetation that’s not carefully cultivated has a tough time to do little more than just exist. Or at least that’s what you’d think, anyway. Mother Nature, on the other hand, often has very different ideas, and when spring begins its transition into summer, some plants genuinely thrive rather than merely survive.
Nothing fancy or unfathomable here. Just simple food served with a similarly uncomplicated stare.
Back in February, I took two photos of the little bar below. The first shot I preferred in its natural hues, and the second one in more simple black and white. Both of them appealed, but an aversion to mixing monochrome and colour meant I didn’t want to post both, so after a fair bit of dithering the latter eventually won out. It’s here if you’d like to see it.
Searching for a different photo the other day, however, I came across the shots again, and as sightings of slightly sinister looking men in trilbies aren’t an everyday occurrence, it seemed a shame to leave that shadowy look left unseen.
For a country and culture known for its strict adherence to social norms and uniformity, Japan thankfully has a good number of people who clearly never read the rule book. Eccentrics and nonconformists who, whether intentionally or otherwise, brighten up the daily lives of those around them. Some of whom I’ve had the pleasure of photographing, allowing me to create a small series of sorts which can be seen here. A set that for an awfully long time didn’t contain a colourful and imaginatively pierced motorised unicycle rider — but it does now.
When it comes to chicken on a stick, there’s generally a direct correlation between a lack of cleanliness and taste, meaning the grubbier the place, the better the food. And while it still has a good way to go, this little street-side hole-in-the-wall is well on the way to becoming a worthwhile stop.
