Ōraiza 往来座

The Ōraiza (往来座) of which I have already spoken. Exhibit A: one anonymous customer partaking in Ōraisza’s offerings this recorded day.


And here is a preview of what lies inside. I would have taken pictures of the interior, but at the moment I lack the proper lens. All in good time…

Spectaculum Railroadicus 所沢駅ホームからの景色

My wife and I went on a little adventure today. I took these while waiting for our transfer at the Tokorozawa station.

We actually went on the walk I described in my last post, although we modified the route a little (for the better) and went in the opposite direction (Ikebukuro to Takadanobaba via the Waseda campus). Great food, interesting finds, and a little shopping along the way. Nice!

Fedoras, Masked Villains, Scotch, Twisted Plots, Impending Doom, and a Speckled Band 危機に瀕した金髪の美女

I had a number of errands to run in the city yesterday. I needed to visit campus briefly to return a library book, and then proceed to Ikebukuro to pick up some things at a number of different shops. It was a beautiful autumn day; and I took care of my business on campus early enough that I decided to walk to Ikebukuro rather than ride a train. Besides, I need to take advantage of every opportunity to explore places in Tokyo where I have never been. Unfortunately, I didn’t have my camera with me; but I plan to walk along a different route between the two neighborhoods again next week, and will be sure to take a few photographs of my finds then.

One of the highlights from my walk was discovering a wonderful little bookstore called Ōraiza (往来座), which is situated far enough from the Ikebukuro station that I never would have found it had I taken the train as usual. I spent about an hour in the store, but wanted to stay longer. The only thing keeping me from whiling away more of my time there was a laundry list of errands. Perhaps that’s best, however, because I might have spent more money on books than I should have.

Pictured here is the one book I purchased. I spotted it within minutes of entering the shop, but dithered about buying it. I don’t know why, really. It was only 1200 yen (about $10 US), and my chances of finding something like it here again are pretty slim. I’m also collecting material like this for some other projects I’m working on right now, so it would have been foolish to walk out of the store without it. But more importantly, I just love the aesthetics that helped define such genres back then.

Now if you’ll excuse me, the latest issue of Ace G-Man Stories awaits…

Fisheye 魚眼レンズが欲しい

I need a new lens. Too often I have been unable to take a desired picture due to the constraints of my most frequently used lens: 18-55mm. So, I've decided to invest in a fisheye (wide-angle) lens. I've already picked one out, and plan to order it sometime after the new year. I can't wait. In the meantime, I'll have to restrain myself from trying to take pictures like this with the wrong lens.

EDIT: This room functions as our bedroom at night, and a sitting room during the day. I also use this room when working sans computer, at which times there are piles of books and papers spread about. But this is a faithful display of the room's natural state. Pretty Zen, eh? Ha!

A Splash of Pink 日暮れの富士山

Another photo of Mt. Fuji taken near my apartment. I wish I could see it this clearly all year.

I'll Take That! ひったくりの問題

I stumbled upon this sign recently in a nondescript location near my home. As you have probably guessed, it is a warning to would-be victims of purse-snatching. This form of theft must have been common enough at some point to warrant the making and distribution of these signs, but my encounter with this sign in particular was the first I had ever heard of it. (Not purse-snatching in general, mind you; just the fact that it was a problem here.) Regardless, I imagine there were only a few injured parties. Probably what happened was a small group of desperate individuals fanned out across the city and snatched purses for a couple weeks before moving on to some other location. Or maybe it is a regular problem, and I just have not been here long enough to know that yet. I cannot say for sure. I like the sign, though.


EDIT: This posting was riddled with typos! And I was never satisfied with what I wrote the first time around. I've changed things a bit, hopefully for the better.

Manhole Covers VIII マンホールカバー その８

Not one of my better finds, but interesting nonetheless. This is the official fire hydrant cover for Kichijōji, where my wife and I spent the day today.

Rock with an Attitude 気難しい石

These are a few more pictures that I took during my recent walk with friends. These photos are not very interesting, actually, especially the door; but there are a few things I like about each one, so I could not bring myself to delete them.

I cannot recall ever coming across carved rocks like the one featured here, and there was a whole cluster of them in one part of the garden. I do not know their significance, but they are obviously quite old.

The dog is on the sign of a pie shop near the Four Seasons Hotel. The shop was closed for the day, so I didn't get to try any pie, but I've made a mental note to pick some up on my way home from school someday soon.

The door is from a three-tiered pagoda, and is probably the least interesting photo of the bunch. Regardless, I always take pictures of doors at temples and shrines. Perhaps it is the symmetry that appeals to me.

Torii 鳥居

There's not much I can add to what you see in the photo, except that I took this photo in the park next to the Four Seasons Hotel while on a walk with some friends the other day.

EDIT: In retrospect, this photo strikes me as rather tacky and cliché (is that a tautology?). So it goes...

And on, and on, and on... サンシャイン６０展望台

Friends and family back home often ask me about the size of Tokyo. It’s huge. Massive.

I had a few errands to run in the city this morning, mainly in Ikebukuro. While there I decided to use the opportunity to visit the Sunshine 60 Observatory, which I mentioned in my last post. I’m glad I did. I have a whole new appreciation for the size of Tokyo.

According to my friend, Mr. Wikipedia (Wik), there are a number of ways to measure the world’s largest cities: metropolitan area, urban agglomeration, urban area, and city proper. Tokyo wins by a huge margin in all these categories except the last, city proper. But when I looked out the windows on the sixtieth floor of that skyscraper today, I didn’t see a single city-limit border; all I saw was sprawl in every direction. I’m definitely going back to see the view on a clear day sometime soon.

Click on the picture for a larger image.

Caricature de moi 似顔絵

Hey, look at me! I'm all sparkly glowy! Betcha didn't know that!

I had this made on a whim when visiting the observatory on the sixtieth floor of the Sunshine City mall, Ikebukuro.

Actually, my brother says this looks nothing like me. Maybe it's the hat. Hmph. I'm calling it good.