With 2021 now lurching towards its socially restricted end, it’s time once again to share my favourite photos from the last 12 months.
2021 hasn’t been a good year for many people, and personally it’s one that changed life forever. The tragic loss of my wife Akiko in the summer is still something that feels unreal at times. I miss her enormously, and the daily reminders and memories remain far more upsetting than comforting. A period made just about bearable with the help and support of friends and family. My family, I should add, as Akiko’s family turned on me pretty much the moment she died, swiftly putting into place their plan to steal my home and every last bit of money they could lay their hands on. A plan, looking back, that was clearly hatched the moment we knew Akiko’s time was very limited. The promises they made to her as she lay dying and the lovely things they said to me in front of Akiko were all designed to convince her, and indeed me, that they would carry out her final wishes.
The fog of grief and the stress of dealing with paperwork in my non-native language meant it wasn’t until they fully showed their hand that I knew what was afoot, so I now have legal representation. When the outcome gets clearer, I’ll cover all this in detail, but basically there have been lies, slander, and racial slurs aplenty. So much of it is racially motivated. Despite almost 19 years of happy marriage, I am nothing but a foreign parasite. The actual words they used.
It’s this aspect more than anything that makes me want to write something proper and in-depth about this whole sorry affair. Yes, it‘ll be cathartic, like typing this out now, but more than anything it may help others avoid a similar fate. It doesn’t get a huge amount of coverage, but discrimination is very real in Japan, and it remains an ever-present problem. The fact that it’s generally not overt doesn’t make it any less damaging either, as while Akiko’s parents are just two individuals, my attempts to fight back have been hindered every step of the way by Japanese officialdom. A realisation that has been a wake up call for me, and something that can hopefully be a warning to others.
So yeah, a tough year to say the least, but I do have wonderful friends, a loving family, and of course photography. The latter, just like every year, has helped and provided some much needed joy. Just being out with a camera is hugely beneficial, as along with getting me out of the house, it’s also the best way to lose myself and just be in the moment. Something that has obviously been more important than ever these past 12 months.
Below then are the photos. I’ve done more sets this year, which is something I hope to continue, so quite a few of the images work much better as part of a larger series. With that in mind, I’ve also included links to the original posts.
Like every year, they aren’t in any particular order, just how I think they work best. Also, some of them are included because of memories I have attached to them, or simply the moment I pressed the shutter.
Photos that wrap up Tokyo Times for the year, with normal posts resuming on January 4th. So until then, take good care of yourself, take similarly good care of the people you love, and whatever you do, don’t forget to let them know now and again what they mean to you.
Sanya, a window into a very different Tokyo world
A Tokyo story we will likely never ever know
A dated Tokyo laundrette and its old-style scissor gates
An old school Tokyo booze shop with Super Cub delivery
Ancient Tokyo gun squads, train tracks and traffic lights
Tokyo’s past, present and retro future?
Tokyo Skytree surrounded by rainy season clouds
The silence and decay of an abandoned Japanese mountain village
The distinct personalities of old and disused Japanese vending machines
A concrete and fantastically old school push-button phone slide
A large retro robot in a small Tokyo park
The life cycle of an old Tokyo house and its elderly owner
Gloriously faded and sometimes overgrown old Tokyo shopfronts
Sights and sounds from a dystopian Japanese drinking alley
Looking in and out of an abandoned Japanese mountain complex
Linda says
Great to see these again. I miss so much being able to visit Tokyo, but your photos help. I hope next year is better for you, and for all of us.
Lee says
Thanks a lot. Glad to hear it.
Thank you. Yes, I think we can all do with a fresh start next year. I hope yours is a good one, and one that also involves a Japan visit.
ellen says
Thank you so much for all the photographs. I have so many favorites! 🙂 I’m so very sorry to hear what you are going through. You are so much better than them. Stay strong!
Lee says
You are very welcome. My pleasure. Being out with a camera has been a saviour. And thanks ever so much. That’s really good to hear.
Günter says
Thank you for all your photographs even going through such difficult times. I hope you can find a solution and move on with your life in 2022. Take care of yourself too.
Lee says
You are welcome. Without the escape photography offers, all this would have been even more difficult to deal with. And thanks a lot, that’s really good of you.
Uchujin says
Lee,
First of all, beautiful photos! You have always captured a view of Tokyo (Japan generally) that are like weird little mental postcards of my daily life there, but which I never bothered to photograph. (I’ve always particularly liked your shop fronts, they remind me so much of parts of Ikejiri and Sangenjaya near where I lived). Thank you.
So sorry to hear about the troubles with your wife’s family. I am shocked and feel for you but I have to say not at all surprised.
I never made any secret of my feelings about Japan, as it’s feelings about me were perfectly clear.
It’s part of what drove me out finally after 10 years. I lived there but it was never, could never be, my home.
I sincerely hope for you there is a resolution that allows you to move on and be happy.
Sending you warmest regards.
Adrian/Uchujin
Lee says
Thanks a lot Adrian. Glad to hear they bring back memories. Just the good ones hopefully.
Yes, as shocking as it is, I am not the first and very unlikely to be the last to deal with this, and other, similarly shameful behaviour. I’ve experienced my fair share of discrimination here over there years, but this has obviously been on another level. Made even worse by certain institutions as well. The norm simply doesn’t seem to apply when a gaijin is involved, regardless of what he’s been through or is entitled to…
And thank you. That’s very much appreciated.
Craig says
Man, where to start with this. Your situation sounds particularly painful and I can only imagine the wide range of emotions that you’re going through. I’m sure you’ll get there in the end but I’m angry that you’re even having to go through it in the first place.
Thanks for continuing to take and share your photographs. They have helped when I’ve been going through tough times.
Lee says
You are very welcome. Glad to hear they were a help. Taking photos has been a much needed escape for me, but it’s even better knowing they have been of help to others as well.
And thanks a lot. Yeah, it has been (and still is) an emotional roller coaster for sure. Just taking it one day at a time. All I can do for now.
Ken C says
Lee, I am so sorry to hear of your problems with Akiko’s parents. The grieving process is bad enough when you have nothing but support so I can only imagine the pain you have suffered.
As everyone else has said, thank you so much for all your photographs and prose. It helps my Japan addiction. I am lucky enough to have some good friends in Japan and have only occasionally experienced racism but that is probably because I only visit for short periods rather than live there.
Take care and keep fighting!
Lee says
Thanks a lot Ken. Yes, they have made a truly awful process even worse. Didn’t think that was even possible…
You are very welcome. Taking photos and putting them together with some words has been a great source of comfort and distraction. The racism isn’t a daily thing (although at the moment the reaction of more than a few people when they see a foreigner is to pull their mask even tighter), but at the same time it’s sadly not a rarity either.
Thank you. You too. Look after yourself.
cdilla says
I’ve seen how nasty people can suddenly turn when there is money up for grabs – the most recent incident still on-going, so sadly, your situation, whilst beyond understanding, is not beyond belief. Whilst none of the nastiness I have experienced was racial, I don’t doubt those involved would have used that if they had thought it advantageous to them.
Being torn between not wanting them to win and not wanting to care about them at all has been my hardest choice. For me once solicitors were involved I switched off and treat it as pure admin – not as easy to do as that makes it sound – and for me “the system” is not biased against me.
I hope the process completes as quickly as can be expected.
I’m glad your photography helps you, both for you and, selfishly, for me. Your windows on Tokyo and Japan in general, and you commentary on it, provide a much needed and appreciated counterpoint to the professional face of the people I meet as a tourist and that which I see through the distinctly rose colour NHK lenses of their programs.
May 2022 see you through the worst of what 2021 has thrown at you.
Lee says
Yeah, it’s genuinely horrible to see people for what they are. Add vindictiveness and racism into the mix as well and it’s truly abhorrent. Just got to stick it out and also try and to block it out as much as possible.
The photography helps enormously. No doubt about that. It’s also doubly comforting when I read words like yours. Makes it all even more worthwhile.
Thank you. And the same to you. All the very best for 2022.
Richard says
So sorry to learn of the additional pain and suffering your in laws have caused you. People can get very ugly when money and property are at stake.
I feel very fortunate to have discovered your photography this last year. It reminds me of aspects of Japanese life and society that I otherwise don’t experience anymore because of my not living there. Thanks for sharing it with us.
Here’s hoping that the coming year will bring you more peace of mind. And continuing joy with your photos. Stay safe and be well, please.
Lee says
Thanks Richard. Yes, they really can…
You are welcome. As I said, photography has been, and is a big help. An even bigger help when I hear other people get something out of the results as well.
Thank you very much. You too, and all the very best for the coming year.
Craig says
Sorry you’re having such a tough time. Hope you have a great Xmas and a lot better New Year. @dscaper on Twitter.
Lee says
Thank you very much. Friends have rallied round so I wont be alone which is good. You too, have a good time and all the best for 2022.
yuin says
I’m so sorry that you’re going through so much this year! It must be really tough. Hopefully things get better, and the issues with your in-laws get sorted out quickly!
Thank you for always sharing such great photographs with us on your site here and on social media. I always enjoy seeing them on Instagram!
Lee says
Thank you very much. Yes, getting it sorted quickly and them out of my life forever really would be the best of possible start to 2022.
You are very welcome, and lovely to hear you enjoy seeing them.
john says
Thanks for the photo selection from the Tokyo teeth to the jolly shoes and a much needed December reminder of lovely shrubbery.
Handling things as pure admin (nothing added) sounds like a good idea to me, but maybe it’s quite a bit of a challenge. Hopefully the proffered words won’t fog up your viewfinder (or importantly, your rear view mirror).
Happy 2022 and take it easy on those Godzilla drinks!
Lee says
You are very welcome. Getting out with a camera really has been a saviour this year. No doubt about it whatsoever.
It’s a challenge alright, but yeah, I really mustn’t let this horrible experience cloud my view looking backwards or forwards. Some people are truly despicable, but just looking at these comments shows that the vast majority of people are not. Quite the opposite in fact. Something backed up by the incredible support I’ve got from people both near and far. So many people have stepped up and helped out.
Haha, yes, don’t won’t to start the new year floored by a monster or several. Thanks. And you too. All the very best for 2022!
Sean says
Thanks for all the awesome photos despite what life is throwing at you. That is so cruel after what you’ve been through. Stay strong and I hope you get through this quickly. Take care brother.
Lee says
Thanks a lot. I will do. Thankfully got plenty of people looking out for me. And you are very welcome. Taking photos and doing this really has helped.