stand still
here we are at the fushimi inari shrine [kyoto] just before sunset. the surrounding forest and thousands of red tori gates provide lots of shade on this trail, but it makes for a difficult photo shoot. i think we tried to stand still for 12 seconds here as aiden took our photo.
i smiled too much, but george and howie should definitely make it on the next issue of GQ.
tokyo in vancouver
as you may know, our studio in tokyo has come to an end and most of us are back in canada. i don't know about everyone, but i am in tokyo withdrawal. i find myself flipping through what was my life line while in tokyo - the Tokyo City Atlas, not looking for how to transfer from one train to the next, but more as habit... or just pretending that i am still there ... it isn't working...
tokyo from vancouver 2006
thanks to aiden's tripod + camera - group shot with everyone present.
fujishima house 307
special post - by popular demand, we present our temporary humble abode in tokyo
this is our view when lying on the bed
main living space while standing. the tatami mats smell like roasted rice, it permeates the whole place - very welcoming when we get home. the japanese low tables and chairs have ensured that i get pins + needles in my lower limbs several times a day. perhaps it is good training for me.
balcony complete with laundry rack + wood clogs, kitchen, eating + entry
mejiro station, our street, fujishima house entrance
some of our neighbours
daarrrling...
wanna cuddle?
the two chinese characters on the license plate literally means "love beauty".
this is taking love to a whole new level.
[seen in a garage under the express way near hama rikyu garden]
commuter crush
i think most people know about how packed the trains are in tokyo. i have experienced being completely plastered to a stranger's back with his behind at chest level. but just today, i felt the sheer force of this evening's commuter rush for real.
i miss this train as i don't know how i can push this nice guy further in and i don't want to mess with the women.
i am 1st in line for the next train. perfect...
once the door clears, i walk only one step, but magically, i end up deep into the sea of humanity that were packed inside. old ladies, high heeled biz women, highschool kids, salary men - all very gentle and polite - are right there behind me. strangely i don't feel a single hand on me. just shoulders and backs or... actually, i have no idea what is pushing me, it is like a magical force - but a serious + unrelenting one.
i manage to twist my camera out of my pocket and take a shot. no angry or irritated faces in the crowd - how is this possible?
the train decompresses at shibuya. slightly disoriented, i just follow the crowd to the exit - i need some air.
nihonbashi
aka nihombashi [japan bridge]
this is mile 0 for all routes and highways in japan. was the centre of commerce way back in edo, and still is today with the TSE right next door. the river used to be vibrant with commercial activity, but since the river edge has been built up and an elevated expressway built over top [not even this hisotric bridge was spared for preparing for the '64 olympics], the river has lost its old charm.
since a senior government offical called this 'ugly', there are plans to put the expressway under the river, but who knows if it will happen as the costs will be a little high.
i kind of like it the way it is. by putting two unlikely pieces of infrastructure together, you get this new kind of space that was not 'designed' and kind of surreal...
how much more interesting it would be to cruise along this river in a kayak and be undercover on a rainy day navigating through the maze of columns...
guess i was not the first one to think of that one!
train platform
it is rare to see just one guy on the platform, but he is fully loaded with the necessary gadgets to survive the trains. the camera accessory is a nice touch.
nagano
there are more oldies on bikes here than anywhere else...
... priceless!
away from tokyo
koya san _ a buddhist mountain 1000m above sea level. this place exudes peace and beauty.
we stayed at this temple. waking up for morning prayer with the monks at 5:30 was surprisingly not a hard thing to do.
a cemetry of half a million tombs 
capsules
nakagin capsule tower by kisho kurokawa
the first metabolist building built and be occupied [1972]. idea is to allow the building to change through time. the capsules are meant to be replaced when required instead of having to demolish the entire building.
each capsule was prefabricated in Osaka and shipped to Ginza, lifted, and high tension bolted onto a concrete + steel core. only 4 bolts were used highlighting the detachability of the units.
since none of the capsules have ever been replaced or renovated, they have out-lived their intended design life and are looking a bit sad. some of the owners want the whole thing torn down, and of course architects are up in arms. the capsules' fate remains unclear.
it feels like you are in a space ship while inside. lab coat defintely required.
me in space ship. the view is pretty good. 
reversible destiny lofts
apartments designed by arakawa + gins. idea is to put one's body in the centre of living. anymore explanation by me would be misleading, but if you are interested, check the following : http://www.reversibledestiny.org/texts/lofts.html
the heart of the unit is like a donut. the 'hole' is a sunken kitchen surrounded by a circular undulating circulation space that massages your feet. it feels stangely good.
sitting on the floor puts you at the right height for eating at the kitchen counter.
http://www.reversibledestiny.org/mitaka.phpthere are rooms that feel more like pods off the circulation space. one of these is a spherical room where your voice is amplified and echoed back to you if you sat dead centre. also, it is very comfortable to just lie there and listen to atsushi talk architecture.
to live here would take a lot of getting used to and on the way a lot of creative storage solutions invented. i like it, i like it a lot. it would change your life. perhaps i just need some paint to make it less shocking.
yokohama cruise terminal
the international cruise terminal is the most playful thing on the waterfront.
it was windy, and i was giddy.
the roof of the terminal is a huge public space where most of the ground surface is sloped or stepped - walking on the undulating wood surface was sheer joy.
... as was rolling on the grass hills.
eating can be emotional
... jealousy
... smug happiness
... euphoria
and finally gratification!
