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
She’s hot from the rear. How was the front view?
No idea. I took the photo and walked away, so I’ll leave it up to your imagination!
She has to pee?
Haha, quite possibly!
I did see the bus and I know it’s an important part of the photo but I was distracted.
You mean it wasn’t the first thing you looked at…?
It took me a while to realize there was a bus… much less two!
Any comment beyond ‘no comment’ would be problematic…
Thanks!
And thank you back!
Seconded.
There is nothing gentlemanly to say that wouldn’t end up sounding euphemistic anyway.
What a great photo. I’d have to go for coy and cute.
Cheers! Yes, always best to edge your bets.
stupid japanese girl walking style
i see a crowd of women and count how many could be tipped over with a push of the pinky
not cute, just looks like they are holding in a GIANT turd
Got to say, that hadn’t crossed my mind. It has totally changed the way I look at the image now!
Good!
you can’t see her hands… should could very well be holding one of those.
I think, this particular stance is ‘comfortable’ for her.
Better than http://www.wordpress.tokyotimes.org/?p=8719 although crooked. Her classmates waving from the bus.
Yeah, have to agree with you there.
Great image, I’ll leave it at that
Just watching a Youtube video of Daido Moriyama and this shot’s composition does remind me of the work he shows in there except it is not pitch black in the background: http://bit.ly/S0bIEC
Cheers. On both counts!
Needless to say, anything you saw in this that reminded you of Moriyama makes me very happy. He’s a big favourite of mine.
You’re welcome, I do enjoy his work too. I found the video I linked too very instructive and was amazed to see he uses, what I believe is, Silver Efex Pro 2 to convert to B&W.
Yeah, I was surprised to see him using Silver Efex Pro too, although as he seems to shoot a lot in digital nowadays, it makes perfect sense I suppose.
Have you seen the full length documentary from a few years back? Stray Dog I think it’s called. Realky interesting. I often hope I’ll bump into him in Shinjuku, but it hasn’t happened yet…
i hate that japanese girl walk like this. look stupid n also bad for her health.
I don’t believe she’s walking (Lee?). Given the position of the buses in the photo, I think she’s waiting to cross the street.
Yes. Spot on Jeffrey. She was waiting for the lights to change.
I love her hair. Unfortunately the garter straps take her whole outfit from cute to hookerish. :/ I do like the cute artwork on the bus, though. I wish we had happy buses like that here.
They might be happy on the outside, Lizzy, but just like pretty much everywhere else in the world, the buses aren’t anywhere near as jolly on the inside.
Can someone translate what’s written on the bus (near the duck..chicken) for me?
Every time I see these signs on the photos I wish I can read the language! They just fascinate me, especially the ones on old establishments and such!
Thanks for the photo, Lee!
You are welcome, Roy.
It says what Willy has kindly written below. A kindergarten in the grounds of one of Tokyo’s top tourist attractions. Without a doubt a very unusual place for kids to start their education.
Hahah while I do really like her outfit and pose, I can’t help but wonder that if she did go to that kindergarten school, would she still have that fashion sense?
Considering a lot of young mum fashion, I dare say she would!
It says ‘Asakusa Temple Kindergarten’
Thanks Willy!
First look, she is cool! But, second look, no comment.
I do like the contrast between the lady and the little ones in the bus.
Sometimes, I do wonder why most Japanese girls like to stand by closing their knee caps like this picture. Even when they take purikura or others take picture of themselves, they also love to pose like this! Maybe they think it cute to pose like this or nicer?
But it is not good or nice to pose like this. And the knees would be in pain!
I just hope the little girls in the bus will not pose like this.
Yes, it does seem fairly common for some reason. A mystery to me that’s for sure!
I think the shy/cute/non-sexual little girl pose is an interesting contrast to the garters (which I actually like styled with the denim in this way). It’s almost as though she is working the Lolita angle in a less overt way.
Yeah, quite possibly. Hard to say if it was intentional, or just natural for her. Either way it makes for an interest mix like you say.
That is an awesome shot!
Cheers!
I want her stockings…
Awesome shot! I just discovered your blog but really like the photography on here.
Good job so far sir! Keep it up!
Thanks!