Despite living in the west of Tokyo, it’s the city’s eastern neighbourhoods that really fascinate me. They are older, more traditional areas that hark back to a different era, a different way of life, and in many ways, a very different Tokyo indeed.
Photographs from a small group of islands
Despite living in the west of Tokyo, it’s the city’s eastern neighbourhoods that really fascinate me. They are older, more traditional areas that hark back to a different era, a different way of life, and in many ways, a very different Tokyo indeed.
Harry says
Gotta say that’s totally different from the idea of Tokyo I’ve always had! 🙂
Lee says
I can imagine, but it’s surprising how much is still like this, or at least similar anyway.
Steve says
Reminds of the grandmother in My Neighbor Totoro. Love the greenery, and seeing what people do with small spaces.
Lee says
There was definitely something slightly otherworldly about the scene. And yeah, it really is amazing what people do with what very little space they have.
Expat says
Not sure what is odd. The bottles around the house are there to deter cats from peeing around the outside.
Her being dressed all in white, while slightly creepy (the dead are shrouded in white) seems no more than a traditional housewife wearing outer clothing to keep the other garments clean.
Lee says
Yeah, that’s a fair call. Interesting would have been much better, but the D sound of odd worked well with elderly, lady and old.
Her outfit fascinated me. A unique look. Same with the bottles. See them so often, but the first time without the covers removed. All in all a scene that really stood out for me.
Coli says
Yeah definitely to keep the cats away, but we always use 2 liter bottles with no plastic wrapping on them:) maybe that’s what’s odd about it for me.
Beautifully framed picture again Lee. The more traditional doors with curtains like that really do look nice with some greenery like that, don’t though? I can almost hear that distinct high creaking, clunky wood noise of that tobira open with this picture:) how do you always manage to make your pictures come to life?:)
Lee says
That’s what I usually see. And yeah, the big bottles too. But definitely the first time for me to see them used with the covers/labels still on.
Yes, totally agree about the greenery. It adds so much to the house. The colour of the leaves go so well with old, faded wood of the house too.
And thanks ever so much for those kind words. Honestly, to hear that the photo provokes such thoughts and sounds is genuinely rewarding. It’s what I strive for, but wanting to do it, and actually producing the results, are often two very different things.
john says
I think that the bottle covers fit in with the colour scheme (as in the use of ‘odd’). Maybe the assumption is that ‘Nora’ the Cat Explorer would just know those things are going to be scary! I think the setting couldn’t understate the hugeness of 2L bottles (as David St. Hubbins might say).
She’s likely a lady who is aware of the difference between wanting and doing also, with her tasteful rock garden; eleven points all round!
Lee says
Yeah, good call. It really wouldn’t have been as appealing with big, 2L bottles everywhere.
It always amazes and impresses what people do here with such limited ‘garden’ space. But I suppose if you want one, you simply have to make do with what little space you have.
cdilla says
Definitely one of my favourite inhabited old house. Her attire definite gives away some of the influences Ghibli and other similar studios draw from.
Lee says
Cheers. Really happy with the way this one worked out. It’s in an area I know fairly well too, but for some reason I’d never been past this particular corner before.
Yeah, for inspiration and ideas these kinds of places must be a wonderful resource. The present, but there’s still so much of the past still visible.