Times change, but the obsession with things other than those around us, most certainly doesn’t.
Time-honoured and modern obsessions
Photographs from a small group of islands
Photographs from a small group of islands
Times change, but the obsession with things other than those around us, most certainly doesn’t.
Once An Expat says
Indeed. People I see in my corner of the world also seem very obsessed with their ‘smart’ devices. some I see as early as 05:30 doing something on them. Like who on earth do you have to text or instant message at that hour of the day?
Interesting too the peek at the monk’s very modern sneakers. BTW saw an article about bogus monks -in Kansai I believe- asking for ‘contributions’
Lee says
Ah, but with the likes of Twitter and Facebook, the conversation never stops. Or at least the one way conversations never stop!
In his defence I’m pretty sure he was wearing jika-tabi. But whether he is legit or not I’m nowhere near as sure. It’s regular theme, isn’t it? Every time I see one it’s always interesting to speculate on whether he’s the real deal or not.
Hans ter Horst says
I think it would help if to police put out a little more information about the fake monks as I believe that now every monk in the big city gets treated with suspicion by tourists caused by the rumours: There are indeed fake monks but they will approach you and try to sell you a charm for way too much money (30.000 yen, or so) and rather aggressively. But a lot, if not most of the monks are the real deal doing “takuhatsu,” they won’t approach you, they typically stand in the street holding their bowl and it is of course perfectly fine to give them 50 or 100 yen for a blessing.
Lee says
Yes, it certainly would. There are a few monks I see regularly, and as such I presume they are the real deal (not like they could make a nice living out of it), and yet due to all the rumours, there’s always that element of doubt. A real shame for the vast majority who are legitimate.
Matt Talbot says
That reminds me, I need a new lamp stand for the sitting room.
Lee says
Haha! Seeing the light, sort of.
John says
LOL Matt Talbot!
Is that owl shoulder surfing? Seems like something is very shocking on her phone!
Lee says
Yes, that’s one surprised owl. It seems the young woman may well have been looking at something she shouldn’t have!
Hans ter Horst says
Quite the contrast! In this photo I would be the monk: Every year a new phone, every year a new DSLR, every year new features that mean nothing but we cannot live without, every email or SMS that needs replying to instantly, I basically opted out and survive on the bare minimum of the gadgets; I even went back to shoot film 🙂
Lee says
I know what you mean. That built-in obsolescence making that perfectly good phone, camera etc. suddenly seem so woefully dated. Must admit though, I’m a sucker for new gadgets, and I do enjoy updating my phone every 2 years.
But camera-wise I’m far more restrained. The megapixel and ISO race means nothing to me these days. I mean, how big do those numbers need to get? More than happy with what I have now, but I’ve got complete respect for fellas like yourself who have got out completely and shoot only film.