Tokyo has no shortage of laundrettes, ranging from old, rundown places, all the way to fancy new enterprises that are far more cafe-like than merely functional. Yet despite such variety, the rather bleak locker and coin laundry double bill below remains genuinely unique in its appearance.
Dean says
I totally get your interest. I’ve only ever seen doors (gates?!) like that on really old elevators.
Lee says
Likewise. Not the only thing that intrigues me, but those doors are definitely a huge part of it.
john says
The doors do take it to another level!
I guess that the lockers are for 7 Up and Downy?
Lee says
Yes, they really do.
Be nice to say they were, but as it’s in a poor neighbourhood where lockers like this are commonplace, they are more likely used for personal possessions and the like. The fella in the photo had a whole host of stuff in his. Even the apple you can see on his left.
cdilla says
I like the blue and grey motiff that pervades this scene. The guy really is taking on the hues of his surroundingsThe depth of focus you have there in what must be dim light gives us a really detailed look.
Do people live out of these lockers? I’ve seen people living out of 1x1m self-storage lockers, but not something this small.
Lee says
Thank you. It is quite dark in there, but in many ways it gives it more atmosphere. Just glad the camera could record the details it has. And yeah, it’s a scene that in many ways would lend itself to black and white, but those colours are too good to miss out on. Even more so with the man photographed, as like you said, he matches his surroundings nicely.
Unfortunately I think so. Lots of lockers about. And with many in the area living incredibly precariously, they are clearly an important, but at the same time terribly sad, necessity…