…sunblock instead of explosives, as a spell of incredibly warm early November weather resulted in some pre-Bonfire Night burning of a kind that Guy Fawkes would have no doubt found utterly unfathomable.
Remember, remember…
Fairly impressive Japanese facial hair
Facial hair, for whatever reason, is not exactly a firm favourite in Japan, so it’s often quite novel to see somebody bold enough to boast a beard — or tackle a ‘tache even. A situation that makes the old fella captured below even more of a character, as not only is he a man with a moustache, but he’s also one who’s valiant enough to have a very good go at the handlebar variety.
And if that wasn’t enough, he even takes a tremendous amount pleasure in twirling it too.
Kimono shop haikyo
Some abandoned Japanese buildings, like the recently posted images of an enka singer’s old house, hold snippets of information about their past occupants, and yet at the same time, tantalisingly don’t tell the whole tale. Others, however, have stories that have been relatively well documented, and the clues left behind invariably appear to confirm them — like this long-deserted kimono shop for example.
Unfortunately, the sales area itself is now in a very sorry state indeed, with only hints of the colours and fabrics that must have once filled it.
But thankfully, upstairs is totally different, as it contains an absolute plethora of possessions that once belonged to the past occupants.
Poignant reminders of distinctly happier days.
Plus dolls.
And a positively dizzying array of other stuff.
All appearing to confirm the online consensus that the mother and daughter who once lived in the building did a midnight run. The latter, Masami Hoshino, who, according to a certificate passed a sports test in 1984 when she was an elementary school student, even left behind her presumably once dear,
and Disney-related playthings.
Along with her room’s cute but now never closed curtains.
Elsewhere, the kitchen too suggests a very hasty departure, with cupboards still full.
Dishes that dried a long long time ago.
And documents still patiently waiting to be dealt with on the refrigerator.
All of which point to a really rather sad ending, and although the exact reason why they left is a mystery, it’s probably safe to assume it was for financial reasons. Along with the equally safe bet that a stiff drink would have been called for to settle any frayed nerves before that fateful late-night move more than a decade and a half ago was finally set in motion.
All bases covered?
It’s often said that when the Japanese start something new, especially if it’s a sport or hobby, they go in for it in the biggest way possible, by immediately buying an absolute glut of the very best gear large pots of cash can purchase. Everything, basically, bar the proverbial kitchen sink.
However, it’s a notion that, if one looks a little closer, is clearly a load of codswallop.
A haikyo Halloween
To hijack a phrase from another holiday, I’m a bit of a humbug when it comes to Halloween, but this previously unpublished picture from the horror movie-like doctor’s office at Nichitsu mining town, seemed somehow very suitable for the season.
