Papa! Matte!

Autumn at Tamagawadai Park

Despite earlier predictions, the autumn leaves in my part of Tokyo have been quite colorful.

After very close to 11 years here, I am beginning to get used to the late, warm autumns. I used to think it strange that autumn leaves were peaking in late November/early December as they have long ago peaked and fallen back home.

Now I am tempted to agree with people who tell me that the weather is getting cold---at 60 degrees!!!!!

I have been here too darned long.

Under the Ginkgo trees

There is a street just above Denenchofu station where many celebrities and other well-off folks live that is somewhat famous for it spring and autumn ginkgo trees. Famous enough that on autumn weekends the street is somewhat crowded with people taking photos and children playing in the leaves. It isn't the peak yet, but plenty of people were out yesterday. In another week or so, just as the color peaks, the street cleaners will be busy sweeping up the leaves as quickly as they fall. Kids haven't much time to play in them.

Tamagawa Autumn

Every year in early November, I walk the 20 minutes or so to the Tama River specifically looking for this type of scene. It usually happens around 4-4:30 on a certain part of the river just as the sun's angle gets low enough to backlight only parts of the river and vegetation. It's an indication for me that fall has really begun in Tokyo.

Overdone

Can't get enough of this street. It's hidden away about 30-40 yards from Jiyugaoka station. It's in plain view if you look, but I never paid it much attention until recently. The light this time of year is especially good from about 10 Am to 1130.

Only in Japan: Four seasons

Said to be only country with four distinct seasons---a fact that tends to surprise people who come from other countries with four distinct seasons. I wouldn't call the weather "fall-like" yet, according to the standards of my home, but it is certainly very distinct from the scorching summer weather we had this year.

BALS-y

And no doubt about it.

This friendly lady stepped out of the shop, saw me taking photos and gave me a perfect pose and a nice smile. What else can a man ask for?

Taken on a pleasant Indian summer Sunday in Jiyugaoka. Has to be one of the most interesting little parts of Tokyo.

Take this job and shove it

Friday evening in September of 2009. Some folks returning home from work, others exercising, walking the dog, just doing what people in any modern country do.

This shouldn't shock anyone, but I recall back in the late 80s and early 90s when Japan was much more of an economic superpower---and the source of worry and illogical fear in the US---that many had an image of folks here as near robotic soldiers in Japan Inc who cared about nothing except their job.

I suppose in some ways there is (was) more of a tendency to devote oneself to his/her company than in the US---though this is not always a personal choice---it does not mean that Japanese have no life or interests outside the job.

I recall my first job in Japan at a small company in Toyama just after I graduated college. While in retrospect, it was a very enlightening and forever valuable educational experience, at the time I found it very difficult because of the cultural differences. After 4-years of studying East Asia (and Japan in particular) as well as having had spent 2-years in Korea in the USAF, reality turned out to be much different than theory. As it almost always is. What made it especially tough was the fact that much of what was then the stereotype of Japan (this was during some of the worst of the trade problems) and even some of the things I learned in university turned out to be wrong. Period.

Had I really kept in mind that folks here were humans---not some unique special breed like many inside and outside of Japan still believe---I think things would have been less difficult. It seems absurd now, but I remember being somewhat chagrined to hear some of my coworkers complaining about working overtime and the fact that our Golden Week of that year was so short. But the real complaints and worries of the guys on the factory floor was the risk of losing their jobs---it seems that they had to go look for new work about every two years because those small companies did not offer the so-called lifetime employment that the 30-odd percent of Japanese companies did.

I will steal an idea from Donald Richie when I say that I often see much bigger differences between me and some American from Ohio than I do between me and some Japanese from Chiba.

Maple Sugar

A rare public display of affection under the autumn maples. Denenchofu, Tokyo, November 29, 2009.

Watching parents and kids interact tends to dispel any remanent, subconscious notion of a "unique uniqueness."

Nice bike

I love these old buildings which seem to be disappearing from many parts of Tokyo---or maybe it's just from my area. I have taken so many photos of this building and the small noodle restaurant, Eh-Wan, that the cops at the nearby police box are becoming familiar with me.

Taken in Yukigayaotsuka, Tokyo.

Seseragi Park

The momiji--Japanese maple trees--are finally at peak color in this area of Tokyo. Taken on a nice cool Sunday morning which was a welcome break from the unseasonably warm weather we have had recently.

Neighbors chatting

While I was taking this, an old lady came up to me and said in English, "Old house." Then, apparently exhausting her English---or her patience with it for the day---she asked in Japanese, "Do you know it's a tatami shop?"

I did, but I was happy that she asked. Older folks often come up to me and talk when I am taking photos, something that ain't so common on other occasions in Tokyo.

After school

Students practicing lacrosse on the Tama River.

Late autumn in Okusawa, Tokyo

Tokyo has more houses and building covered in vines than I have seen in any other city.

The end of the day

Tamagawa river between Tamagawadaikoen and Shinmaruko, Tokyo/Kanagawa, Japan. Taken with the D300 and Tamron 200-500mm@500mm.

So far, the latest firmware update has made the camera a different beast concerning autofocus. It isn't perfect, but finally I can feel confident using any autofocus mode under certain conditions. It also focuses much more quickly, even with the Tamron 200-500. Birds in flight are now much, much easier to get. It's almost like having a new camera. Knock on wood.

Salad Included

Grilled meat and pork cutlet restaurant in Okusawa, Tokyo Japan

Backyard garden

More October Kyoto

Oops, Flare

Kyoto again

From Kinkakuji and Nanzenji shirnes

More October Kyoto

I suppose this is what many expect to see when they visit Japan. It isn't a common sight--you gotta hunt for them. Even in Kyoto...