Photography

It’s been a while since I’ve posted any new photos from Yasukuni shrine on National Foundation Day. I still visit almost every year, but for the most part the light hasn’t been helpful at all. The other week, however, was different. Admittedly the rain sadly stopped shortly before things got going, but the overcast conditions did allow me to get the shots I wanted.

It should be said that just like all the other visits, I wasn’t hassled at all for getting fairly close and taking photographs. No words at all were spoken. In fact there was barely even a dirty look. A lack of reaction that I do appreciate, especially as I am very visibly foreign..

All that said, this year felt slightly different. The country now has a new Prime Minister whose large majority signals a significant shift to the right, with constitutional revision among the many touted changes. A trend that arguably began in the previous election with gains for the then relatively unknown ‘Japanese First’ Sanseito party.

The group in the photos, of course, are way beyond anything in mainstream politics, but it did make me think about the potential changes to come, both in regards legislation, and daily life.

Seeing the old lady sat in the doorway of her home and former shop was really something. Along with being very visually appealing, there are details galore, from the signs and slow decay, to the owner herself. An absolute wealth of stories that are only added to by the very visible passage of time. So after a couple of wider shots, I couldn’t resist taking a much closer portrait.

Now in its sixth decade, it’s possible the shop may still last many more years to come. At the same time, quite conceivably it could be gone next month. Even next week. For now though it happily remains. A sight to simply take in and thoroughly enjoy.

It’s not always possible to put photos into a theme, or tell a story. Certainly not one that’s genuinely cohesive anyway. So instead then, these are simply random Tokyo portraits taken on some of my recent Tokyo photowalk tours. Images that if nothing else give a sense of daily life in the Japanese capital.