The young. The old. The fallen.
Tokyo Times is owned and run by me, Lee Chapman, a long-term resident of Tokyo who arrived in 1998 for ‘a year or two’, and, for a myriad of reasons, stayed put.
Japan means many things to many people, but Tokyo Times is how I see it. The places. The people. The day-to-day situations. All of it shot using a Leica, a Nikon and a selection of lenses.
My photographs have appeared in the Guardian and Japan Times, plus numerous magazines and books. Should you wish to use any, or simply ask a question, you can get in touch with me here.
Copyright © 2013 · Tokyo Times
Wonderful but heartbreaking shot.
Thanks Jeffrey.
I pass by this spot on my bike fairly often, and have seen the fella who lives there a few times. At the weekend there’s usually quite a few people walking or sitting by the river, but he remains the only one who has waved and given me a smile. A lovely big smile it was too.
Are the homeless still chased away “because the environment there needed beautification”, as a previous government put it? Your photo does suggest a faint link between the kids and homelessness, very chilling.
I know they are made very unwelcome in many places. There was also an incident a few years ago when a NPO was told to stop distributing food as kids may come into contact with those waiting for it (there’s a link here). That was something that came to mind when I took the photo. Also the children presumably walk by and pass the bridge regularly, as their school is a 100 metres or so down the river.
That’s one of the best shots I have ever seen! Beautiful and melancholic…
Thank you very much Oskar. It offers quite a contrast, that’s for sure…
Wow. Excellent. Always with the keen eye.
Cheers Linette. I knew the kids were going to go back across the bridge. It was just a matter of waiting.
Beautiful picture but made me sad.
Will the young one become the next future fallen?
I am too afraid to know…
Hopefully not, but it’s certainly a reminder of life’s uncertainties…
As others have said before me, this is such a beautiful and poignant image. Lovely composition and colours too. Keep up the good work!
Thanks a lot Laura.