This photo was taken almost exactly 10 years ago to the day. A shot I decided to post as another from the same evening (albeit from a higher vantage point) is in my new photobook, Tokyo Conversations.
The street is still there, and mercifully it hasn’t changed much at all, although the wonderful little seating area with the kettle is sadly no more. The world in general, on the other hand, most certainly has changed, and looking back at this scene, the lack of masks and smartphones in particular make it feel like a very different time indeed.
Denise says
This is such a beautiful scene. I think the B&W is so evocative of a different time.
Lee says
Thanks a lot. It’s a very atmospheric little street. And yeah, the black and white definitely adds to that element.
cdilla says
Ah, what a treat. The other photograph you mention was the reason I knew exactly which Tokyo Conversations option I wanted 🙂
Having this one maxed to fill my screen and facing it at eye level standing up – (at my stand-up desk) – I feel I should step aside to let the couple past.
When we look at something only the centre of our vision has detail capability and our brain fills in the periphery as best it can to make it feel seemless. When looking at photographs like this (especially with a 35mm lens), if you are lucky, there is a moment where your brain just quietly moves you into the scene. This is why I stayed so long to at the Matsataka Nakano exhibition in Ebisu back in 2019. My wife took a couple of photos of me standing infront of a couple of the massively reproduced prints and when I see them I know I was elsewhere at the time.
I do hope you get to exhibit at a gallery.
Lee says
Cheers. Very nice to hear. Really proud of that other shot.
I didn’t know that about our brains filling in the periphery. Very interesting. Know exactly what you mean about that exhibition too. It was so nice to see such huge prints. Very rare, and oh so memorable.
Thank you. That really would be something. It’s looking like we will have options in Italy, so it’s up to us now to try and make that happen.
Paul says
It reminds me about some Ueno’s streets.
I have a favorite spot in this area because it’s stuck between two railways, no tourists and outdoor tables with plastic beer containers as seats. Lovely.
Lee says
I know exactly where you mean. I’ve spent so much time in Ueno. From autumn to spring it was always my go to place. Truly incredible light on sunny days. The pretty much universal mask wearing over the last few years has meant I don’t go much at all anymore. Those lit up faces aren’t the same when covered. But hopefully in the not too distant future I can enjoy going back regularly again.
Richard says
Streets like that are what make Tokyo, and other Japanese cities, seem so liveable despite their congested hustle and bustle. The intimacy of the couple walking hand in hand is palpable. And the two men sitting at the counter add to that feeling.
Yes, not wearing masks makes such a huge difference! When I have traveled around the USA in recent weeks, there are places where practically no one wears a mask. I find it more unnerving than welcoming. But they seem comfortable about it.
Joh says
Richard – I’m with you on the liveable idea. And for the same reasons. The couple isn’t showing off nor trying to hide nor having to yell to each other – they just walk and talk with each other. The men too. Just talk and enjoy. The bright signs and lights may be vying for their attention but they aren’t getting any of it! I really, really like this photo.
Not wearing masks is better. And, living in the US, I can say that it’s really quite easy to get comfortable without them once more. But I’m kind of glad that going forward we may actually have the very reasonable air of being more comfortable with some people wearing them for the purpose of keeping their own germs from spreading everywhere – a custom I have admired in the Japanese for many, many years.
Richard says
It is heartwarming to see a young Japanese couple who are comfortable with holding hands in public. Of course, it didn’t used to be that way!
Here in the USA more people are invested in proclaiming their ‘freedom’ from rules about mask wearing than they are in protecting the welfare of others. They liken it to their own Declaration of Independence…sadly misdirected in my opinion.
A great photo, thanks!!
Lee says
Thank you. Really good to hear you both like the photo. In many ways it’s just a nothing sort of shot. A simple, fairly ordinary urban scene. But it’s those little details you both mentioned that make it for me as well. Totally agree on the liveable element of Tokyo as well. For all it’s faults, and the sometimes uncomfortable crowds, it really is an incredibly easy place to live.
The mask wearing seems a bit mixed up in Japan at the moment. Indoors and especially on public transport, masks make so much sense. They are clearly hugely beneficial. Just the simple fact we haven’t been locked down or restricted in movement, and yet I haven’t had a cold in 3 years to me at least speaks volumes.
That said, outdoors doesn’t make anywhere near as much sense, but even in the quietest areas, there’s so much societal pressure to wear them at all times. And as such, people simply daren’t/can’t give them up despite official statements declaring their lack of necessity outdoors. Walking through a park near my home the other day, the one person I did see gave me a dirty look for having my mask down despite no danger and it being incredibly hot and humid.
There’s also the back to front element of people eating and drinking in packed little places, then heading outdoors into the fresh air and donning their masks. A couple of weeks ago I saw 3 salarymen roll out a bar, then, when outside in the middle of the almost empty street, they stopped, put on their masks and went their own, wobbly way home. Funny in many ways, but it did make me realise that a bit more common sense would make everyone’s life a little bit more comfortable. Especially so as the heat and humidity of this already long summer shows little sign of abating just yet.
Richard says
You have a great knack for catching those moments where the ‘little details’ mean so much!
I agree about the lack of a need for mask wearing outdoors. I have pretty much stopped wearing one when I am walking somewhere and there are few people in close proximity to me. It feels great to be able to breathe more easily when I am in such circumstances. My wife and I continue NOT to eat inside restaurants. Fortunately, there are a number of places where we live where tables are set up on a patio, on the sidewalk, or even the side of the street where cars used to park. So we partake in those situations.
Stay safe and well!