Free they may well be, not to mention beneficial, but in Tokyo at least, smiles are very much a novelty rather than the norm. Of course in bars it’s a different story as there is booze involved, but day to day life is sadly really rather bereft of them.
Now why this should be I don’t know, but what it does do is make those that are seen all the more special. Particularly so when they are big, wonderfully genuine ones that even masks can’t disguise.
This young Shinto priest has appeared on Tokyo Times once before, and the photograph can be seen here.
Due to the intensity of his stare, however, it was impossible to resist going through the process again, with the resultant image replicating pretty much the exact same expression and an identical pose. The only real difference being a slightly incongruous looking plaster.
Recently I was asked to produce a series of photographs for a commercial display that would depict Harajuku. Not though its frequently snapped visitors and fashion extremes, but buildings, signs etc. Images that would still be identifiable as Harajuku, but together would hopefully create a slightly different view of the area.
Unfortunately, however, the idea was pulled at the last minute due to branding issues, leaving me with a small set of test shots. Photographs of the kind I very rarely take, so it seemed like a good idea to post them here for a bit of variety.
Tokyo has a wonderful habit of throwing up surprises, an aspect that makes the city even more of a joy to walk around. And the scene below was one such instance. As men clad in silver suits sporting fluffy adornments are not, at least in my neighbourhood, commonly found by loading bays. Or at all for that matter.
The cherry blossom may well be gone for another year, but that doesn’t mean Tokyo is any less colourful — not by a long shot. And, for the capital’s legion of flower photographing fanatics, there are still more than enough blooms to be captured at incredibly close quarters. Although for others, beauty is better observed from a slight distance.
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