Photographs from a small group of islands
The patience and perseverance required to produce, and more specifically maintain, a bonsai must be absolutely phenomenal — regardless of whether the tree in question is a genuine work of wonder or a rather more modest midget.
And yet for all their unquestionable beauty, perhaps most fascinating of all is that despite a lifetime’s work, it’s more than likely that the person who initially set out with a mere specimen won’t be around to see their creation bear fruit.
Quite literally.
The highlights of haikyo/urban exploration seem to vary depending on the person, meaning that for some it’s purely for the pleasure of exploration and the buildings themselves, whereas others are far more interested in the detritus and the details left behind. And for me at least, it’s definitely the latter that is key — little pieces of information that give hints about the lives of the people who once worked, or better still lived, there. Items that offer the briefest snippet of the past — a moment captured in time almost.
And yet that said, the Mt. Asama Volcano Museum is the first haikyo I’ve visited that was actually more interesting on the outside; its shape and precarious position on the side of a mountain making it a sight that is simultaneously both sad and stunning.
More pictures of which — in black and white — can be seen here in Part 1.
But that’s not to say there were no signs of past life in the place, it’s just that on the whole they weren’t especially personal that’s all. Except this perhaps somewhat tellingly full box of business cards — still patiently waiting for a taker since the museum closed its doors sometime in 1993.
Otherwise it was mostly indicators of the work that went on there, whether it was science-based study,
or catering to the customers culinary needs.
And maybe also their health, should they have been struck down with a bug.
Possibly even a bird.
Plus, as it was open back in the day when smoking was practically a prerequisite rather than something to be merely put up with, there were signs of where some people smoked their last cigarette on the premises.
Or off the premises, in more of a nod towards the ‘manners’ that pervade today.
And yet just like almost all haikyo, the museum conjured up a few mysteries, this time due to its unfathomable possession of a diverse array of dead animals. Some of which were stuffed.
Whereas others were simply stuffed into jars.
Which are now left alone with nobody to look at them.
Should they have ever wanted to in the first place.
Appearance is often everything in Japan, but it appears that this restaurant may well be suffering from its potential punters hunger to combat the current financial crisis, rather than curb any company or comfort food cravings.
If one’s neighbours are incredibly near, or alternatively are really not at all keen on noise, then for those after some sax on a Sunday morning, a secluded spot down by the river is a passable, if not exactly perfect, solution.
And as such, the sound of one particular fella’s surprisingly unselfconscious solo performance can be heard here:
But despite his apparent pleasure,
as far as inspiration goes, the surrounding features are far from stirring.
Let alone stimulating.
Just like fellas all over the world, Japanese gentlemen embrace their pastimes with a real passion; so much so in fact that they sometimes make their foreign brothers’ efforts seem a bit on the fickle side — fly-by-night even.
However, concerns over commitment aside, a predilection for model aeroplanes could well be deemed as a decidedly pedestrian affair, with carting the contraption to a suitable spot about as energetic as things get.
But looks it seems can be very deceptive, as when the machines in question are the kind that can only be manoeuvred rather than machine driven, getting them airborne is definitely no walk in the park.
Resulting in an extremely complicated looking procedure that requires a great deal of speed.
Along with an obviously time-honoured,
and trusted technique.
Before the not necessarily so light aircraft is finally launched for its flight.
