Another gem Lee. I wonder what your pile of discarded photos looks like, they can’t all be as wonderful as the ones you post. Your eyes just seem to know what to capture.
Wow, I really like your photos documenting the side of Japan most tourists fail to spot; it is so easy to assume these old buildings to be abandoned or used for land speculation, but all of a sudden you realize people are living there.
Thanks. Many times I’ve been sure a house was empty, but then seen a light on, or somebody inside. Pretty shocking to be honest to se the kinds of places some people live in. Particularly so in a city as wealthy as Tokyo.
What a fabulous patchwork of glass panels. And then the appearance of this wonderful looking character, centre stage. Brilliant. Was it a coincidence that she popped her head out to grab the post as you passed by, or had you been waiting half the day for someone to appear?
I’d seen her walking up the street and thought she looked interesting. So thought I’d try and get a photo of her. But then couldn’t believe my luck when she walked up to the house. Even turning towards me before going in. One of those very rare moments when everything just works out perfectly.
Wait, haven’t we seen this facade before, but without the obaasan? Is it in your neighborhood, or along a regular route? Not that I mind; it’s a great image. There’s just something very Showa natsukashii about it. I can gaze at it for minutes on end, lost in memories. How much do you wanna bet there’s a dusty Hummel procelain figurine behind those doors somewhere (or at least a tanuki), and a calendar from 1968 showing Fujisan?
Yes, a good while ago. It’s on a route I sometimes walk, but as it’s in the middle of a warren of little streets, I don’t always pass it. Always a treat when I do though, and especially on the occasion above.
It’s a wonderful place, isn’t it? A story in itself. And as for the bet, I’d wager a good amount, very confident of a nice return.
Yes, despite seeing places like this – and very often much worse – on a daily basis, it never ceases to shock me how some people live. Provided she has air conditioning the summer months should be bearable enough, but come winter it must be miserable to say the least…
d. minnis says
Another gem Lee. I wonder what your pile of discarded photos looks like, they can’t all be as wonderful as the ones you post. Your eyes just seem to know what to capture.
Lee says
Cheers! Mostly a case of keeping my eyes open and trying to be aware of everything going on around me.
No, they aren’t. Sometimes come home with photos I’m happy with, but invariably many of them aren’t that good.
Al says
Wow. Is that really a house?! 😮
Lee says
It is. Not so bad in the warmer months, but it can’t be much fun living there in winter…
Hans ter Horst says
Wow, I really like your photos documenting the side of Japan most tourists fail to spot; it is so easy to assume these old buildings to be abandoned or used for land speculation, but all of a sudden you realize people are living there.
Lee says
Thanks. Many times I’ve been sure a house was empty, but then seen a light on, or somebody inside. Pretty shocking to be honest to se the kinds of places some people live in. Particularly so in a city as wealthy as Tokyo.
Trev says
What a fabulous patchwork of glass panels. And then the appearance of this wonderful looking character, centre stage. Brilliant. Was it a coincidence that she popped her head out to grab the post as you passed by, or had you been waiting half the day for someone to appear?
Lee says
Cheers!
I’d seen her walking up the street and thought she looked interesting. So thought I’d try and get a photo of her. But then couldn’t believe my luck when she walked up to the house. Even turning towards me before going in. One of those very rare moments when everything just works out perfectly.
Coli says
Absolutely beautiful. Love this picture. Definitely you need to publish a book Lee
Lee says
You are too kind!
Thanks a lot. Glad you like it. Was very pleased to be there just at the right time.
akari says
I see a long history. it a Invaluable
Lee says
It is. Hopefully that history will last a good while longer too.
Squidpuppy says
Wait, haven’t we seen this facade before, but without the obaasan? Is it in your neighborhood, or along a regular route? Not that I mind; it’s a great image. There’s just something very Showa natsukashii about it. I can gaze at it for minutes on end, lost in memories. How much do you wanna bet there’s a dusty Hummel procelain figurine behind those doors somewhere (or at least a tanuki), and a calendar from 1968 showing Fujisan?
Lee says
Yes, a good while ago. It’s on a route I sometimes walk, but as it’s in the middle of a warren of little streets, I don’t always pass it. Always a treat when I do though, and especially on the occasion above.
It’s a wonderful place, isn’t it? A story in itself. And as for the bet, I’d wager a good amount, very confident of a nice return.
Polygon-Window says
I love your work so much. Surprising how poor the conditions some Japanese people live in
Lee says
Thanks a lot.
Yes, despite seeing places like this – and very often much worse – on a daily basis, it never ceases to shock me how some people live. Provided she has air conditioning the summer months should be bearable enough, but come winter it must be miserable to say the least…