This wonderful old Tokyo street corner with its dated Chinese restaurant and appliance store is interesting in itself, but the added elements of local life over a brief, 5 minute period, lifted it way beyond that, providing a nice bit of context to those lovely retro looks.
The restaurant has been in operation for 60 years, and the owner, after watering all his plants, was intent on showing us what was left of his once large knife after all those decades of daily use. It turns out the old rotary phone outside is still in operation too, although sadly it never rang. Another local eatery owner did, however, provide an unexpected cameo, making what was already a great little encounter all the more memorable.
Denise says
He looks so happy in the last pic! 🙂
Happy New Year!
Lee says
Yeah, a lovely fella. Very happy to talk.
Thanks. And you too. Happy New Year!
cdilla says
I am really happy see this post as it happened during a Photowalk tour Lee gave Mrs cdilla and I recently. What we had expected here was an old Chinese restaurant with a vintage Pepsi sign over it, (I love that sort of thing), and most excellent that was. But once the owner emerged the encounter blossomed into an unforgettable experience. As soon as Lee engaged with him his animated and good natured personality shone and we got many small but wonderful insights into his world. That blade, originally cleaver, being sharpened on a whetstone just inside the side door. The owner of the adjacent establishment joining us to gave more detail about his similarly aged electronics store. That phone, fascinating on its own, turned out to be connected and in daily use. He also disappeared at one point to return and give us a couple of prints of a painting of his shop someone had done. And when the guy with the plank of bowls walked by it was as if we had strayed onto the set of a 60’s era film set – just amazing.
I should also mention that this was only one of several memorable insightful encounters of similar charm and insight we had that day which were only possible because Lee was there.
Lee says
Thanks ever so much. That’s really kind. And it was a treat to hang out as always. We ended up seeing a lot.
It was a genuinely lovely encounter, wasn’t it? A real slice of Tokyo life.
Richard says
My daughter has an old rotary phone that was used in my home when I was growing up. It is black, of course! She keeps it on top of a tansu in the foyer by the front door to her house. I see it and recall the old days every time we go to visit them.
The owner’s smile is heartwarming. There is a guy who still loves what he does after many, many years.
A great start to the new year, Lee!
Lee says
Yeah, those old black phones are something else. Even got one of my own now as a friend kindly got me one.
And thanks. It was lovely encounter. Nice to be able to share it.
john says
Happy New Year! Well kept shrubbery and a bit of serious graffiti.
Lee says
Thanks. All the very best to you too!
Yeah, there’s a lot going on there. And very serious graffiti!
GL says
Been awhile since my last visit here to your Tokyo, and as usual, your photos illustrate a richly detailed story. I used to think how little I had in common with the weathered, lined faces in your portfolio; now when I think of the Beatles, Starsky & Hutch, Wang computers and rotary phones, I feel there might be a tiny stretch of common ground where we depend as much upon grace as gravity.
So good to read that your Photowalks are proceeding onwards and upwards- well deserved. All the best to you for this shiny New Year.
Lee says
Thanks ever so much. That’s really kind of you. And I really like what you said about depending on grace and gravity. So true.
All the very best to you too. I hope 2024 is a great one.