Photographs from a small group of islands
With the ballyhoo over this year’s cherry blossom blooming rapidly heading towards the break out the blanket and beer time, and the weather on the whole warily getting a bit warmer, these wee fellas may well have to think about wearing something other than their winter woolies.
With 24-hour convenience stores camped out on practically every corner, and booze-bearing vending machines almost as mainstream, those with an endless longing for lager need never be left lacking.
However, when work gets in the way of being wasted, or there are worries about one’s well-being, there’s thankfully some comforting confectionary to quieten any uncomfortable cravings, whether it be through a soothing suck,
or some manic mastication.
Riding around on Tokyo’s trains and taking note of the countenance of many commuters would probably lead one to conclude that the average salary man’s lot largely doesn’t include a lot of laughs.
Those involved in more traditional trades on the other hand are not only more colourfully kitted out,
but seemingly more satisfied.
Even if society may not necessarily see what they do as successful.
Or indeed sartorial.
With their washlets and wonderful array of anus-related attributes, modern Japanese toilets are a far cry indeed from their purely functional and floor-based forefathers.
However, similarly styled ceramic slippers for one’s feet rather than faeces, and a patterned pot for peeing in, arguably offer a place where many men at least would still be happy to spend more than a few pennies in.
Or even one in which women would be prepared to put in some practice with a newly purchased Shewee.
Perhaps.
(old toilet taken from here)
Earbuds are all well and good, but for a better sound and the ability to happily block out all the hustle and bustle, headphones arguably still have it — regardless of whether one is listening to Mozart, Morrissey,
or even Morning Musume.
Maybe.