Photographs from a small group of islands
Traditional Japanese tea ceremony is a fascinating practice. Its acute focus on aesthetics, however, along with an extremely strict adherence to specific movements and manners, probably makes the whole thing rather uncomfortable and stifling — at least for a beginner, anyway.
But to simply sit and watch it is an absolute treat.
And from a safe distance, those movements and manners are a mystifying marvel.
Sugamo, the so-called Harajuku for old ladies, is thankfully not an area awash with geriatric gothic lolitas, but is instead a shopping area geared up for the elderly women (and indeed men) who flock there. Jizo-dori, its main thoroughfare, is lined with shops and stalls selling the kind of clothes, food and assorted bric-a-brac that appeal to its target audience; all of whom hustle and bustle their way between them and the street’s popular Koganji Temple, or Togenuki Jizo as it’s also known.
Despite the age of those who predominate, however, there is no hanging about. Not by any stretch of the imagination. If you are in the way, you’ll be moved out of the way.
Sugamo also isn’t an area simply catering to the elderly — it’s run by them too. Many of whom should have officially retired years ago.
These old-timers and a few young bucks offer food and snacks of a much more traditional nature. The variety of which can clearly be dazzling.
Plus along with numerous medical aids and potions for sale, the temple priests do a busy one-on-one trade in health-based prayers and blessings.
Presumably after which some decidedly non-healthy food can safely be consumed.
Also, like most areas of this nature, there are plenty of characters. Both walking about.
And working.
Many of whom, like those who visit, are intent on making the most of it.
Before the full colours of autumn become visible in Tokyo, there are the equally vivid ones of Shichi-Go-San; a custom that sees kids of a certain age get dressed up in kimonos and taken to their local temple or shrine.
And quite understandably, photographs seem to be the biggest focus of the day. Something that the youngsters, to their credit, appear to deal with very patiently.
Or at least they do when it’s a family member taking the photo. But when it’s not, they don’t.
The sight of rickshaws being driven around Tokyo’s modern streets is a fascinating one to say the least. And yet the people who pull them are arguably even more interesting — a job that being both outdoors and physical goes against what many young Japanese deem desirable.
But as compelling as they are, this dapper old fella and potential customer, was possibly even more of a character.
Love in the age of Fukushima Daiichi?
