When I came back from Kolkata a few weeks ago, I had a refreshing experience. In a nutshell, Tokyo never looked that beautiful. After the scenery I encountered in the Indian city, everything in Tokyo seemed to be glittering and smoothly plastic, a place ever throbbing with water-surface-wavering sensitivities. As I passed by the ANA hotel Tokyo near Roppongi, bound for a lecture and shoot session in T.V. Asahi, I could almost cry for the sheer joy of sensuality that the Tokyo night vision provides. It was a revelation that stayed with me ever since.
I am not saying that Kolkata was dirty compared to Tokyo. I am only stating that Tokyo has its unique features as regards its appearance, especially in reference to the texture of materials that make up the buildings. There's something watery--reflecting the abundant moisture of weather consisting of distinct four seasons--which became very apparent after the exposure to a contrasting climate in India.
I always thought that Tokyo lost its exquisite charm that it used to possess, captured in the great Ukiyoe woodprints in the Edo era. If there is still charm apart from being the "world-capital-of-otaku" in the capital city, I as a resident have got to find it, in the bustling noise of mobile phones and trains that operate on precision.
A Ukiyoe woodprint from the Edo era depicting Nihonbashi, or the "Bridge of Japan" in Tokyo.
2 comments:
It's great that you've started posting in English more often. Over a year ago, I was in Tokyo for three months and happened to attend one of your lectures at the art university in Ueno Park. The topic happenned to be The Big Issue, the magazine. I suppose that day was a bit different from your other lectures as you actually gave the stage to two men living on the street, who distribute the magazine and the editors of the magazine. I did not understand all that they talked about, but was really glad that I could be there. Ueno Park has from my first visit to Tokyo in 2000 associated with the blue tents, museums and the art school. I'm always eager to visit the park when I'm in town, to see those three things coexist.
I think your reflections of Tokyo and your various occupation were great.
I'm curious how you divide your topics betweent you English and Japanese blogs. How about post about that?
Dear, aneta.
Thank you for your kind comment.
About the division of labour between the Japanese and English blogs, I will muse on it and write about it sometime very soon.
Ken
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