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Jun 29 2015 10 Comments

Vending machines and vinyl umbrellas

In the sprawling, concrete surroundings of Japan’s cities — or even amidst the rice fields that cover a lot of the countryside — the vending machine is an ever-present sight. And in June, when rainy season uncomfortably dampens the capital, clear vinyl umbrellas are just as ubiquitous.

But genuine characters combining the two, are sadly nowhere near as common.

Tokyo Vending machines and vinyl umbrellas

Categorized: Photography

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Coli says

    6/29/2015 at 9:49 am

    Either those vending machines are large or this fellow is small. Makes a great contrast. His green and the the red are great too.

    Reply
    • Lee says

      6/29/2015 at 5:30 pm

      Cheers. Yes, I like the colours too. They work nicely together.

      That’s a good point. The do seem to be towering above him, don’t they? To be honest I don’t recall him being especially small. Perhaps the angle makes him look shorter than he actually is?

      Reply
  2. Hans ter Horst says

    6/29/2015 at 2:30 pm

    The guy does look a bit surprised to be caught; part of the fun of your photos is to try and place the people in the shot into Japanese society. This guy is giving me trouble. 🙂

    Reply
    • Lee says

      6/29/2015 at 5:35 pm

      He was. Very. In fact he looked behind him after I took the shot thinking I was photographing something or somebody else!

      I bet. Personally I couldn’t even begin to speculate on his situation, past etc. Plus this was in Shinjuku, which, with its vast array of people, makes any guesses even harder to make.

      Reply
  3. Al says

    6/29/2015 at 9:23 pm

    Great expression. Love the colors too!

    Reply
    • Lee says

      6/29/2015 at 10:08 pm

      Quite a character, isn’t he?

      Reply
  4. Linda says

    6/29/2015 at 9:26 pm

    OMG the hair is terrifying, like some kind of creature clutching his head. It must be a hairpiece? He could do the dyeing himself but surely no self-respecting barber would let him leave the shop looking like that.

    Reply
    • Lee says

      6/29/2015 at 10:12 pm

      That’s quite a description! Yes, I’m pretty sure it is. No, certain in fact.

      To be honest I didn’t notice it at first. I just liked his face. But when he rather fortuitously lifted his umbrella, it was pretty clear there was more to see.

      Reply
  5. d. minnis says

    6/29/2015 at 9:36 pm

    I agree with Linda, all I can see is his hair. I’m thinking it has to be a hairpiece, and not a very good one.

    Reply
    • Lee says

      6/29/2015 at 10:12 pm

      Yes, has to be. I’d be amazed if it wasn’t.

      Reply

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