Tokyo Times

Photographs from a small group of islands

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Lovely melons

Similar to most places in the world, big juicy melons are extremely popular in Japan. People everywhere keen to get there hands on them whenever possible.

Unfortunately they can be expensive — very expensive in fact. Although for a bit of variety, they are available in several shapes other than round. A situation that arguably enhances the pleasure of sucking on one. Making it a special treat of sorts.

Takashi Itoh however has taken this melon mania to a whole new level, creating works of art from the watery fruit. Describing his endeavour in this rather elaborate manner:

‘Watermelon sculpture’ which entertains the infinite possibility from white and red, and green colors. Cool and have after admiration.

Whilst ‘cool and have after admiration’ might be pushing things a little too far, Itoh-san undoubtedly has gentle hands where melons are concerned. The fruit fan creating a whole host of melon based sculptures. Like this sumo themed effort for example.

sumo melon

Or a similarly traditional kimono offering.

kimono melon

Countless more are viewable here, although sadly none of them are breast shaped. Putting a stop to any more fruit flavoured innuendo.

big melons

Which is a pity.

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Electric Avenue

As is often the case in central Tokyo, the narrow alleyway below boasts a huge number of little eateries and bars; making it a lively and colourful little spot. One that’s sadly spoilt somewhat by the unsightly and ever-present tangle of overhead wires and cables.

More — as the saying goes — than you can shake a stick at.

shinjuku street

Providing of course you’d want to take the risk.

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Gone to the dogs

Sony might be struggling to even give TVs away at the moment, but perhaps lovable little AIBO will be able to pull the electronics giant out of its current slump. Especially as the robotic dog now comes in hound-like Honey Brown.

honey brown aibo

As well as a fresh colour, this new model (registered pedigree name ERS-7M3) is enabled with around 1,000 phrases suited to each dog’s ‘character’. The way the toy is treated and cared for altering its, erm, personality. The little fella presumably not responding well to mutters of, “Are you ever going to leave your re-charging dock?” and, “Can you really not walk any faster than that?”

aibo

Switching the machine on for the first time is likened to birth, with the electronic pet having to learn everything from scratch. However for the less patient, these early days can be happily skipped; AIBO coming straight out of the box as a fully formed adult. Yet should he/she develop some unpleasant personality traits due to mistreatment or neglect, a quick bit of jiggery-pokery will transform the messed-up mutt into an innocent young pup again.

Oh, and it chases pink balls too. Albeit rather slowly

aibo

All that for a mere 194,250 yen (972 pound).

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Wig woes?

Whilst very much on the freaky side as far as appearances go, most cosplay devotees seem quite gentle souls. Kindly posing for photographs, and invariably showing impeccable manners.

cosplay cutie

However just like in all walks of life, the world of cosplay contains a few bad eggs. The picture below being a prime example.

cosplay freaks

An innocent looking gathering at first glance, but on closer inspection, the anger and attitude of the girl on the right is there for all to see.

freaky cosplay

Her wig was a bit on the heavy side perhaps? Or her contact lenses a bit dry?

Needless to say I didn’t dare ask.

(click on the images for added anger)

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Odour offence

With the humidity finally beginning to dissipate, it’s nice to find out that it is not just pasty-faced foreigners that suffer terribly during Japan’s long and muggy summer months; as a man that was allegedly forced to quit his job due to excessive body odour has recently been arrested for making prank calls to his former employer.

Yoshikazu Ishiwata it seems has admitted to the allegations of phone misconduct, with the 42-year-old also accused of starting obscene conversations when any of the company’s female employees answered the telephone.

It turns out that the perspiring prankster only worked for the Yokohama based business for two months, claiming, “The fact that I sweat easily and have body odour became a problem, so I had no choice but to quit.” Company officials however disagree with this version of events, a spokesperson saying, “We were telling him to watch his body odour and sweating because he was a sales clerk. But he sweated easily in summer. He quit of his own accord after talks with us.”

All very embarrassing to say the least, but whichever version is correct, it is to be hoped that Ishiwata-san has got his carefree summer sweating under control — or at least bought some decent deodorant — as he is now employed as a taxi driver. The combination of a confined space and a heavily perspiring driver conjuring up very unpleasant feelings indeed.