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You probably couldn't tell by the last few posts with the views from tall hotels. But, I am deathly afraid of heights. As I type this on my hotel balcony, my muscles are tense and I'm a bit dizzy. There is only a one inch thick railing that is between me and 9 floors down. AHHH! Well at any rate, I wanted to post a picture that I did the other day with my 10.5 mm lens. The problem with a fish eye is that it's all about the lens and not the image. Hey what the heck. It looks cool anyways.
I recently bought a guidebook to Ohau and in it there was a section called the "best of " Ohau. As a photographer I was curious if the book had any suggestions for places to photograph. (I know, I know) Well, there was the "best" view of Wakiki. It was listed as the view from the thirtieth floor of the Sheraton Wakiki. Last night, I headed straight for it. At first I was a little apprehensive because I wasn't a guest of the hotel but none the less I went for it. I initially went to the thirty-first floor thinking that the higher the better. But, I had no luck. The floor had no windows from the hallways. I, then went to the thirtieth floor and found a restaurant with the most spectacular views. I first ran into the hostess of the Hanohano Room. She realized what I was up to and kindly suggested that once I finish photographing the east view to take a look at the west view because the sun was setting. Fine Art photography or not it was still very beautiful.
Well, I've made it to Hawaii safe and sound. The flight wasn't so long if you compare it to the Boston to Tokyo flight. I have started shooting right away. Hawaii seems to have the elements that I'm looking for as it pertains to the hybrid nature of my children's two cultures. From the onset my kids have been enjoying themselves alongside their Japanese cousins. I haven't yet started my residency summary. Oops! I will get to it in a few days. I'll leave you with two views from my hotel room.
I have only a few more hours in Japan and I find myself struck with an acute feeling of melancholy. Time passes quickly and there is so much more I’d like to do. I try to avoid the inevitable (leaving Japan) in every possible way but I know that's impossible. I recently picked up a book called I Am by Atsushi Okada. I am struck by the simplicity of his photographs and how it represents the topic of self-mutilation. I have included two photos that I pieced together and his artist statement. His statement seems heartfelt and sincere which is unlike a lot I have recently which use obtuse art-speak as a justification for their artwork. It seems a bit tired at this point. Alas! I’m off to Hawaii.
Over the past two days I’ve been shooting a lot and I feel that I’ve been fairly productive. Time is passing quickly. As of tonight (Wed) I have only four more days here in Japan and then we’re of to Hawaii. Tonight I went to one of my favorite restaurants and then topped of the night with visiting a local public bath. For me there is something very relaxing and comforting about going to a Japanese bath. The water is about 112f and this particular bath has a section the sends electric shocks through any part of your body that you put in that area of the bath. You can only stay in the bath for about 8-10 minutes. After that you start to few light headed and your blood pressure begins to increase. The bath that I went to is in the city Yamato. It’s a fairly large city with a good amount of unsavory characters. After paying the 420 yen fee I asked the attendant if I could take a few photos inside. As you can see from the photo above he said yes. I don’t think he would have said yes if there were customers inside. I did have the opportunity to share the bath with a local Yakuza. I am surprised that they let him in because a common policy concerning public baths is that no tattoos are allowed. I kept my eyes to the ground and my mouth shut because you’ll never know what could happen.
I’m a big fan of Japanese TV Dramas (soap operas). The ones I particularly like tend to take basic daily oddities and push them to extremes. The protagonists usually dig deep within themselves to ponder the rudimentary source of their ills and find some kind of acceptable solution. One of the better dramas was called Stand Up. It is about four high school friends that try to acquire something they think they need but find out in the end it’s not what the really wanted. Because I worked in the Japanese public school system I particularly indentify with this drama. The characters whether a P.E. teacher or vice principal are archetypes of their positions. It is hard to explain is so few words. I found out where it was filmed and went there by train to check it out. I met a nice elderly man who explained to me about the production of this drama. Below you will find a picture of him from a screen capture and my own photograph. He opened this shop in 1946 just after the war. He could have retired twenty-five years ago but he told me he enjoys what he is doing and would like to continue as long as his good health prevails.
I’ve been here in Japan for four days now. It has taken me a few days to adjust to the oppressive heat. Yesterday I went with my extended family to a modern day version of a Japanese onsen (hot spa). There were many types of baths including, green tea, coffee, red pepper, port wine and others. I tried to photograph as much as I could and happened to make a few blunders. (I walked into a women’s only section) I have been photographing my children along with some self-portraits but I am having some kind of creative block. After the last residency at AIB something within me has changed. It’s as though as I’ve lost that “fire in the belly” The only saving grace has been the book titled The Ongoing Moment by Geoff Dyer. It is the antithesis of the critical theory that has become mainstream of grad schools. But I digress. I am going to the heart of Tokyo today in order to find that “fire” which I referenced before.
