waiting for a train

waiting for a train a video by humbletree on Flickr.

waiting for a train
I like hanging out at train stations in Japan and watching the trains and people come and go. So I wrote a simple boy-girl song where its one of those ships passing in the night kind of things but in this case a simple smile shared, lingers on. The song came first and then I made it a point to get some shots on our last Tokyo visit to fit the song. Most of them were from the Takaido station on the Inokashira line running between Shibuya and Kichijoji, west of central Tokyo where we stayed with my wife's cousin for a few days. Some of you may also recognize a few shots from Shimbashi, Shinagawa, and Tamachi

Tokyo Woman

Tokyo Woman a video by humbletree on Flickr.

Tokyo Woman
Among the many sights of Tokyo, the style conscious Japanese woman in heels with her keitai (cell phone) in hand, is one of the more fascinating and photogenic. I was never satisfied with Deep Purple's "Woman from Tokyo" hit of the 70's as a proper tribute so I decided to do my own song which has been a work in progress for 2 years or more. This latest version is combined with 60+ images collected over a similar 2 year period of trips to Tokyo. Some of the shots were taken on the run or from the hip and present only a fleeting, blurred vision of this elusive creature. The Beach Boys had their California Girls and Lenny Kravitz his American Woman. This is my humble offering to Tokyo Woman.

Tokyo woman, I wonder what you hear
with your keitai denwa pressed against your ear
Tokyo woman, kakko ii desho
Tokyo woman, doko iku no?

ANOTHER LOOK AT ENOSHIMA

ANOTHER LOOK AT ENOSHIMA, a photo by roberthuffstutter on Flickr.

It always rained in Enoshima before I left, usually in the late afternoon. Of all of the locations in Japan where there was true serenity, this was one of them. There were many areas where I felt in tune with Nature and my spirit, in tune with the spirit of the nature of all things. Sometime, I hope to write about each of those special places in Japan where there was love and peace.

sketch of Mt Fuji.............1960s

sketch of Mt Fuji.............1960s, a photo by roberthuffstutter on Flickr.

A SKETCH OF MT FUJI from a Japanese Inn or my apartment. It could be either, afterall, it has been 50 years since I viewed this spectacular mountain. This is a bittersweet sketch, one that took awhile to do...and here's a great song to go along with this sketch

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rgxGSZyZIVU&feature=related

BEATNIK BOB 1958

BEATNIK BOB 1958, a photo by roberthuffstutter on Flickr.

About my new set, ADVERTISEMENTS FOR MYSELF:

Who remembers Norman Mailer's book, ADVERTISEMENTS FOR MYSELF? Well, at nearly 70, I figured it is time to advertise myself. How will I ever gain the fame of an artist or writer if I do not advertise myself?

Ginza

Ginza, a photo by Atom Malchick on Flickr.

ONE OF THE BEST PLAIN AND SIMPLE PHOTOGRAPHS OF THE GINZA...this is truly an art photograph, but this is only my opinion. Thanks to Atom Malchick for shooting such marvelous photos of Japan.

Shinjuku

Shinjuku, a photo by Atom Malchick on Flickr.

SHINJUKU BY ATOM MALCHICK...

Oh, man, your photos are just cool, really cool. I am going to have to get on a JAL real soon. You shoot some winners. Thanks for sharing these masterpieces.

This is one of my favorites, but there is something about Japanese bars in the narrow alleys that has always attracted me from the time I first saw one, in August of 1961.

Maybe it is the Sapporo, the Ashai, The Suntory, the Ocean Whisky, I don't know, but it just might have to do with the beauty of the beautiful young ladies who bow, smile and say something like?

What is the phrase for welcome?

Ginza

Ginza, a photo by Atom Malchick on Flickr.

This photograph of one of Tokyo's most well-known landmark is absolutely the definition of perfection in black and white photography. My greatest congratulations to Mr. Malchick for his perfect works. The last time I walked by this building was in December of 1963. It appears to have been refurbished. The light is most spectactular.