Tokyo Times

Jan 11 2011 19 Comments

Coming of Age Day kimonos

A lot of Japanese traditions contain real beauty, but the kimono takes some beating, and on Coming of Age Day (Seijin no Hi), when the nation’s 20-year-olds are bequeathed the dubious accolade of adulthood, this stunning piece of clothing can be seen all over the capital.

Brightening otherwise rather drab bits of the city.

Such as the humble post office.

And the usually far from flattering photo booth.

The latter in fact being quite appropriate, as the day involves more than a few photographs for family and friends.

Along with an incredibly large contingent of camera-clutching spectators.

But most of all it seems like a day of fun. And one filled with lots of laughter.

Jan 10 2011 6 Comments

Not exactly the pipes of peace (and quiet)

Due to Tokyo’s houses and apartments being so closely packed together, along with walls that are often so thin that insulation, let alone soundproofing, is simply not possible, noise is a real no-no. So, with this in mind, picking an instrument to play is a tricky decision indeed, with anything more decibel producing than a triangle potentially deemed problematic.

A situation then that meant when the fella below bravely opted for the bagpipes, he obviously knew that practice sessions would have to be in the park.

And an especially secluded part of it at that.

Jan 07 2011 7 Comments

Totally unhappy temple cat

Sunning itself by a temple, I assumed that this relaxing cat may have absorbed a bit of Zen-like behaviour, but, unless it was merely a bit peeved that I messed up its meditation, it appears it might not have.

Jan 06 2011 5 Comments

Tokyo coffee shop picture(s)

Coffee shops should probably be good for people watching, but in Tokyo, they are invariably full of folk just sleeping, studying, or simply tapping away into a phone or laptop. And because of this, often the most interesting thing to observe is the constant circling of new customers who can’t get a seat due to all those already in there sleeping, studying, or simply tapping away into a phone or laptop.

Over the New Year holidays, however, many places were mercifully much quieter, which meant the old man below was actually able to bag a spot that allowed him to sit down, and have a line of sight to quickly sketch people coming in and interacting at the counter. A lovely image made all the more fascinating by his practice of literally adding a little flavour to the pictures by dipping a straw into his coffee froth and then using it as a final flourish of sorts.

Jan 05 2011 4 Comments

More New Year food and its makers

Despite many Japanese households being full of New Year food (osechi) for the first of the month, and indeed the foreseeable future, it doesn’t mean that when making a traditional visit to the shrine, overindulgence needs to stop. In fact, quite the opposite is true, as there’s often more than enough fare there than one could ever wish to waddle over to.

However, as good as such Japanese street food is, those actually making it are arguably more interesting, with this fella being my previous, and still ever-present, local shrine favourite.

But this year, with his towel.

And attentiveness.

This man took the title.

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