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The
Emperor’s Palace in Tokyo is not only beautiful, it is completely
surrounded by a moat which precludes access except across a few bridges.
From where I was stationed at NAS Atsugi, it was only about 1.5 hours’
travel via train or car to Tokyo.
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This
is a telephoto shot of that part of the Palace which is used by the
Emperor for his living quarters.
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In
the early 1970’s in Japan, there were very few signs posted anywhere
in English. So, unless I were accompanied during my travels by someone
who spoke Japanese (or I had taken a tour), very often a great deal
of what I saw remained a mystery.
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However,
scenes such as this male answering nature’s call into the Emperor’s
moat (in full view of all passers-by on the sidewalk just behind him)
was a very common sight throughout Japan. All toilets in those days
were used jointly by both sexes.
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Kimonos
were worn for special occasions at different times during the year.
Some of the kimonos were incredibly expensive (costing as much as $5,000-$10,000
in US dollars way back in 1970)! This is a sales clerk in a camera store
where I happened to visit while looking at Nikons.
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These
are Japanese women on a street corner in Tokyo near the Ginza. (The
“ginza” is an area with many shops and stores catering to
both tourists and local Japanese. On Sundays the streets are blocked
off to traffic and thousands of people crowd the sidewalks and street.
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These
photos were unfortunately taken in the early years before I had a flash
unit for my camera. Had I owned and used a flash unit, many of my old
slides would have considerably brighter images!
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While
wandering about Tokyo one Sunday, we just happened to see a group of
Tokyo motorcycle cops putting on a demonstration of their riding expertise
for a small group of local Japanese people who had gathered to watch.
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The
police had blocked traffic on a section of some street down near a pier
and dock area and had then simply started doing their thing for the
group of spectators.
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While
we never did learn WHY these policeman were going through these various
routines, we just happily watched them a snapped a few photos during
the hour or so they had the street blocked for their performance..
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Enoshima
is a popular beach area not too far from Tokyo and, when the people
flock to the ocean, to say that it is hard to find a place to even sit
on the ‘sand’ is a mild understatement.
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This
particular beach had black (as opposed to ‘white’) sand...PLUS
a lot of rocks which were extremely painful to feet which were not protected
by some kind of footware.
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In
the early 1970’s, the younger Japanese women often wore bathing
suits which were considered by many American women to be rather revealing.
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However,
compared to the swim suits being worn by the Japanese women in this
photo (and the next 2 thumbnail images) in the late 1990’s, what
I saw on the beaches while I was there in the 1970’s was extremely
MODEST!
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To
say that these ‘swim suits’ allow for just about MAXIMUM TANNING
is a mild understatement.
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I
have to admit that the thingie in this woman’s hand is the most
unique, the wildest, and the craziest propane CIGARETTE LIGHTER I have
ever seen!
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This
is Tokyo Tower which has a nice bar and restaurant in the upper section
from which it is possible to get a great view of the city...as long
as the SMOG is not too bad!
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Even
back in the early 1970’s, as seen in this view from the the top
of the Tokyo Tower, the city was very CROWDED compared to other large
cites around the world.
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Unlike
many other large cities such as New York (which are not subject to having
as many earthquakes as Japan), Tokyo had not—at least in the 1970’s—
built very many tall skyscrapers.
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However,
every inch of the buildings in Tokyo was used for some purpose—even
the roofs. In this department store building, the roof was used for
a nursery where patrons could leave their kids to play while they shopped
in the store.
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During
a visit to Kamakura (which is small town near Yokohama and Tokyo), we
just happened to see a parade of local Japanese displaying the garments
and weapons which had been worn by the ancient Samauri as well as their
soldiers and servants.
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Many
of these colorful outfits being worn in the parade were actually very
valuable historical artifacts that had been passed down from generation
to generation of family members.
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I
was particularly impressed by the Samauri warrior outfits (as displayed
in this photo).
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These
outfits were representative of the style of dress which had been worn
by the common soldiers and servants of the Samauri warrior.
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Another
impressive Samauri warrior...
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EVERYONE
loves a parade...unless you just happen to be one of these ‘clean-up’
sweeper-women who had to follow along behind the parade scooping up
what horses leave behind!
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Another
feature attraction in Kamakura was this huge bronze Buddha statue (which
Americans simply called the “Big Buddha” since it was much
easier to remember than the actual Japanese name).
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I
had visited this area several times and had taken photos of the “Big
Buddha” from a number of different vantage points.
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