What a wonderful piece of nested art. A manga artist releases his creations into the world. 70 years later another artist creates a magnificent wall installation in homage to that, and today you release your photograph of its incongruous location. Each layer adds to the whole.
I love the representation of Tezuka in the middle. My Astro Boy approves. Ultimately though, here, and now, thoughts linger on the sad bundle underpinning the scene.
The plight of the man on the floor and the sunlight coming down really did add another dimension to it. I’ve passed by many times and enjoyed seeing it, but when I glanced over when changing trains it all suddenly looked so different…
A powerful sample of being ‘in the right place at the right time.’ Sadly, the guy on the ground is anything but ‘right.’ Thanks for pointing out the harsh as of yet unresolved realities of our so called affluence.
Thanks. Yes, a bit before or after and the light wouldn’t have been the same. Yeah, utterly impossible to imagine how hard his life must be. Japan is a wealthy country, but just like so many others, there is also an awful lot of poverty…
Can some one explain why this desertion, isolation and utter destitution.. In 1990s, Japan was the second largest economy in the world. Sad. Is a different type of democracy required or a new religion or solidarity groups?
Japan’s economic star may well have faded somewhat, but it’s still a very rich country by any standards, so this kind of poverty — and this is not an exception by any means — could be eradicated. The fact that it hasn’t been, and is seemingly more or less ignored, speaks volumes. A democracy where the same party hasn’t been ruling almost completely uninterrupted since the war would be a start, but therein lies the problem, there’s no sign of that changing at all…
Günter says
This is a very powerful photograph. I watched Astro Boy when I was young so I felt nostalgia and sadness.
Lee says
Thank you. Only something I’m aware of rather than having watched, but it definitely provided quite a contrast that’s for sure…
Arne Anka says
The streak of sunlight is just perfect! But yes, it’s a harsh reality…
Lee says
Yes, it really is. What prompted me to take the photo. Seemed to further emphasise that horrible reality.
cdilla says
What a wonderful piece of nested art. A manga artist releases his creations into the world. 70 years later another artist creates a magnificent wall installation in homage to that, and today you release your photograph of its incongruous location. Each layer adds to the whole.
I love the representation of Tezuka in the middle. My Astro Boy approves. Ultimately though, here, and now, thoughts linger on the sad bundle underpinning the scene.
Lee says
The plight of the man on the floor and the sunlight coming down really did add another dimension to it. I’ve passed by many times and enjoyed seeing it, but when I glanced over when changing trains it all suddenly looked so different…
Richard says
A powerful sample of being ‘in the right place at the right time.’ Sadly, the guy on the ground is anything but ‘right.’ Thanks for pointing out the harsh as of yet unresolved realities of our so called affluence.
Lee says
Thanks. Yes, a bit before or after and the light wouldn’t have been the same. Yeah, utterly impossible to imagine how hard his life must be. Japan is a wealthy country, but just like so many others, there is also an awful lot of poverty…
J Panda says
Can some one explain why this desertion, isolation and utter destitution.. In 1990s, Japan was the second largest economy in the world. Sad. Is a different type of democracy required or a new religion or solidarity groups?
Lee says
Japan’s economic star may well have faded somewhat, but it’s still a very rich country by any standards, so this kind of poverty — and this is not an exception by any means — could be eradicated. The fact that it hasn’t been, and is seemingly more or less ignored, speaks volumes. A democracy where the same party hasn’t been ruling almost completely uninterrupted since the war would be a start, but therein lies the problem, there’s no sign of that changing at all…