Photographs from a small group of islands
As the Buddhist slowly approached and then passed the Christian, no words were spoken. In fact, there wasn’t even a nod, just a glance.
Yet it was a reaction nonetheless. One that, despite its minimal nature, was still more than either of them could muster from the masses.
Tokyo may not have seen any, but a few hours drive north there was a light dusting of snow, making it a slightly white, but still very Japanese, Christmas.
Numerous shops in Tokyo sell Mrs. Santa outfits. Cheeky little numbers that, if the images on the boxes are anything to go by, would add substantially more sauce to Christmas than merely some brandy.
But, like many things in life, the reality can be very different. So different, in fact, that it’s hard to imagine any amount of festive goodwill being enough to forgive this fella.
Merry Christmas!
It has been a wonderfully lengthy autumn in Tokyo, but this could well be a final flourish before it gets considerably colder and brown becomes the all-encompassing colour.
Stood by the side of the road, with her arm raised in the standard, I’m-crossing-so-please-be-careful gesture, this statue of an elementary school student is presumably just a reminder to motorists. But, with her sad eyes and damaged features, she acts as a deterrent in more ways than one.
A face that no doubt haunts the dreams of countless generations of children, not to mention parents and people who take her picture.
