Photographs from a small group of islands
The sets of images I usually post are invariably put together to try and tell a story, or tie similarly themed photos together. These, however, don’t really work that way, as the only things they have in common are their differences, along with the fact they were all taken recently in Tokyo. And in that sense at least, they provide a way to show the surprises a city on such a scale can regularly conjure up. Which, in a way, is a theme in itself.
The best days of this once busy market are very noticeably long gone. A lot of it is now shuttered up, and those businesses still open are slowly but surely approaching their end. It does, however, remain an incredible looking place, particularly so with its striking main entrances. There are also some disused living quarters above, which I was lucky enough to see a little of. An unexpected extra that added even more to the experience.
A shop owner I spoke to, and who very kindly provided access to the old accommodation area, was resigned to the market’s demise, as quite understandably there are no next generation family members ready to take over. At the same time, there was a genuine sense of pride in what they still do, along with a deep affection for how things once were. Interest shown in the market is appreciated too. Sometimes its by curious visitors like myself, or one of the film crews that use the location due to its old school appearance. Way more important though are the regular customers who clearly make opening everyday a worthwhile endeavour, and so open they do until they can do so no more.
The crowded nights and bright lights of Shinjuku’s famous Kabukicho red light district do a good job of disguising a lot of its general dinginess. It’s also a fairly similar story when it comes to the much darker reality of what goes on behind the area’s often garishly decorated exteriors.
Away from the capital, however, and in a much smaller city with the time approaching dusk, any hint of glamour surrounding such locations can be considerably harder to find.
Initially I was a little underwhelmed with this old shopping arcade. The dated signs and rusting freezer were stunning. As was the old school vibe. Yet without an open shop, or a person in the frame, it somehow felt a bit lacking.
The calendars in the one place not shuttered up were recent, but we presumed it was simply used now and again rather than still being a functioning business. And then, as if by magic, the shopkeeper appeared. Turns out is indeed still open (albeit only a few times a week), and the lovely proprietor wasn’t fazed in the slightest by the sight of two foreigners taking photos. Quite the opposite in fact, and she happily chatted away as she set up shop for the day.
Then, to make things even better, a customer from the local area dropped by. She was just as friendly, and hearing about our love of old buildings, we were offered the chance to see her house that dated back to the the early 1920s. An opportunity we simply couldn’t refuse, so she put in her seafood order, and then we went for a tour of her truly stunning home. Afterwards, we returned to the arcade, took a few last photos, and then said our goodbyes. A visit that started off a little bit disappointing, and yet ended up being the complete opposite.
As I mentioned a couple of posts ago, the horribly intense summer heat and humidity can make it a struggle to be out and about with a camera at the moment, so while going through my archive in blissfully cool, air-conditioned comfort, I chose 20 of my favourite portraits. All of them taken in Tokyo, except the 4th frame which is from Osaka. A photo I simply could not leave out.
A few of them were shot fairly recently, whereas others date back to over a decade ago, but all feel special in their own way. Some simply because of the result. Others due to the interaction involved. Plus many are a combination of the two.
Lastly, and on a totally different topic, the usual 2 posts a week will resume next Friday (16th), and due to just returning from southern Japan, there should be upcoming photos of some different locations. A bit of travelling that timing-wise wasn’t exactly the wisest, as it was even hotter than the capital, but the sights and experiences more than made up for it. Until then, however, it’s Tokyo scenery and the faces of its citizens featured below.
