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May 04 2010 15 Comments

Japanese workers (who you wonder why are) working #26

In Tokyo’s parks and other public places, there are often plenty of pensioners doing all manner of mundane tasks, such as clearing up bits of litter or large amounts of leaves.

old Japanese pensioner cleaning

But whether they are part of a volunteer group, or simply just turn up on their tod, after a lifetime of work or fending for a family, shouldn’t they have more fun things to do with all that free time?

old Japanese pensioner cleaning

Categorized: Photography

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Jozee says

    5/4/2010 at 10:44 pm

    Well, the answer is simple. These people are poor and they need this job for the money to survive.

    Reply
  2. Kinw says

    5/4/2010 at 11:46 pm

    I do not think she is a homeless or does the cleaning for a living.
    Does one need a reason to clear up my own town?

    Reply
  3. Jesse says

    5/5/2010 at 12:09 am

    Couldn’t it be that they are lonely at home and go out and do some meaningful work?

    These are people that grew up without computers and internet. I can imagine it would be very boring for them to spent the days.

    Reply
  4. Tania says

    5/5/2010 at 6:45 am

    I don’t know, I’m 21 and I do this a lot during the summer in the early morning. Sweeping is very mechanical, so I can get a lot of peaceful thinking done while I do this. Think of it as an alternative to taking a walk.
    Heh, I’m totally saving these pictures to remind myself of what might be me in the future ^^;.

    Reply
    • Lee says

      5/5/2010 at 9:37 am

      That’s interesting Tania, I never thought of it like that.

      Reply
  5. Bekah says

    5/5/2010 at 8:26 am

    I like the old fashioned broom she has.

    Anyway, that might be the type of thing they consider fun. Fresh fair and helping out the community?

    Reply
    • Lee says

      5/5/2010 at 9:39 am

      Considering what Tania said, yeah, it might well be a form of fun/exercise. Something I had never really considered, merely seeing it as work.

      Reply
    • Ryuquir says

      5/5/2010 at 5:10 pm

      Those “old fashioned” brooms are perfect for sweeping gravel. Try it with a modern broom and you will notice the difference. =^.^=

      Reply
  6. Tornadoes28 says

    5/5/2010 at 12:28 pm

    Jozee, I don’t think it’s that simple. Elderly volunteers are not uncommon in Japan and my guess she is one.

    Reply
    • Brett says

      5/5/2010 at 7:01 pm

      Yes, Jozee. You should be more careful before making sweeping generalisations like that!

      Reply
  7. Lisa says

    5/5/2010 at 11:24 pm

    Sounds like a nice way to spend retirement to me.. 🙂 Especially for someone who loves nature but can’t really manage their own yard or garden anymore. And it helps keep the place nice for others – so a wonderful service to the city too!

    Reply
  8. S in Shanghai says

    5/5/2010 at 11:41 pm

    That is the fun part of their work life!

    /S

    Reply
  9. Tim says

    5/7/2010 at 12:35 pm

    Wax on. Wax off.

    Reply
  10. Tim says

    5/7/2010 at 12:54 pm

    For those too young to know the pop-culture reference:

    Why bother with anything when you are going to die? Perhaps the secret to peace lies in being content doing whatever it is you have chosen to do at any given time, knowing that this is the only way to endure the suffering of self-knowledge.

    It’s not the shiny table that has been waxed, and it is not the dull table that is waiting to be waxed. It is the person who is contemplating the table, waxing the table and then contemplating the table again, gaining knowledge of being or just plain existing by doing these things.

    Like Tibetan chalk mandalas that are intricate, incredibly beautiful and destroyed as soon as they have been made.

    All of life is sweeping leaves.

    Reply
  11. SnowGuy says

    5/11/2010 at 3:17 pm

    man, i really respect these types of people who actually appreciate life.

    i have a couple good friends, both in their late 80’s, i swear they are wizards or something, really full of wisdom and really knows how to enjoy everyday they get. unlike the new generations, always under strict schedule or something, have their lives scripted to the point where they burn themselves out and not even understand nor enjoy small things in life.

    if i can, i would to sit down with these folks and have a beer or two. talking to them really makes you see the world as what it is supposed to be seen, find and enjoy little joys in our daily living. and if they cant handle beer, i surely will offer them tea or something.

    these folks are the people i respect the most.

    Reply

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