Photographs from a small group of islands
For several generations of the same family, a warm day out in the western reaches of Tokyo makes for a very pleasant trip indeed.
And especially so for grandad, or certainly some grandads, as this particular spot is in the garden and boozing area of the Sawanoi sake brewery.
Or maybe that should be ‘city’ as this image was taken in Tokyo. But either way, as unaccommodating as the capital can often appear for those well past pensionable age, with Japan’s population rapidly ageing, this is very much a photo of future days rather than former ones.
Japanese street food is pretty damn good to begin with, and it undoubtedly plays a big part in the popularity of festivals and other public gatherings, but if this fella’s food contains as much taste as his face does character.
Then it won’t just be damn good.
But utterly delicious.
The tradition of Shichi-Go-San (Seven-Five-Three) goes back many years, and has also seen many changes, with the current practice involving kids of the required age getting all dolled up, going to a shrine, and perhaps most importantly posing for lots of pictures for the family as well as later with a pro.
All of which may well be fun for older family members, but for a three year-old, constant posing combined with a very uncomfortable kimono can also make for more than a few miserable moments.
Possibly a last hurrah, even a bangers and beer banzai, for what could well be the last barbecue of the year. Or at least the last one when the sun is still strong enough to comfortably warm all the surrounding concrete.
