Drinking in his favoured bar in Tokyo’s poorest neighbourhood, this old man may not have seen better days — or at least not any for a long time. But, like all of us, he has seen younger ones.
A little Tokyo bar and lost time
Photographs from a small group of islands
Taki says
Well, the picture of him as a younger man on the wall is amazing
Lee says
Yes, quite something, isn’t it? It’s a photo that from what I saw still gives the owner and other patrons a lot of pleasure.
Hans ter Horst says
Very intriguing shot; he looks to be a patron, yet his photo is up on the wall. So many question your post asks, great work!
Lee says
Thank you!
Yeah, he’s clearly such a regular that he really is part of the furniture — or at least decorations. It’s a bar that conjures up many, many questions, but at the same time asking probably wouldn’t be the right thing to do. The fellas go there to drink. A lot too. So asking about their past presumably wouldn’t be all that appreciated…
Ken C says
Maybe he was some kind of martial artist? Would be nice to think that he had been a professional and bought the bar out of his winnings.
Lee says
Nah, unfortunately not. Certainly nice to think something like that though.
Jamie_O says
I’m assuming that is the same guy in the photo, but wow, hope it was a long time ago because he has really aged!!
Lee says
Yeah, it’s the same fella. Don’t have a clue how long ago it wasn’t taken, but my guess is not as long ago as you think.
Willy says
Everyone gets it in the end. A poignant reminder from the old codger in the pic, Lee and his camera.
Lee says
Cheers.
Yes, there’s no point in trying to pretend otherwise…