TILE ROOFS OF JAPAN

TILE ROOFS OF JAPAN, a group on Flickr.

Girl's School Group Photo - Year Unknown

Girl's School Group Photo - Year Unknown, a photo by Mustang Koji on Flickr.

JAPANESE EDUCATION was unique in the years before 1945. The girls and boys attended seperate schools. Thanks to Mustang Koji for posting this photo in his Flickr photostream. Somewhere in this photograph is Mustang's aunt.

積載量オーバー

積載量オーバー, a photo by kasa51 on Flickr.

積載量オーバー by kasa51
__________________________________
It pays to be thrifty, no matter where one lives. I admire those who create their own employment.

The Foreigners' Cemetery, Yamate Bluff, Yokohama, Japan

The Foreigners' Cemetery, Yamate Bluff, Yokohama, Japan, a photo by ilcavaliereinglese on Flickr.

The Foreigners' Cemetery, Yamate Bluff, Yokohama, Japan
In the years leading up to the Meiji Restoration of 1868, Europeans and Americans were allowed to live in the small port of Yokohama where they established trade links between their home countries and Japan. Many , such as Mr William Aspinall, a Liverpool tea trader who set up the Cornes Company with Frederick Cornes of Macclesfield, Cheshire, are buried at this cemetery on the Yamate Bluff, a hill overlooking the city.
__________________________________
It is good to know that these early foreign residents of Yokohama who loved Yokohama enough to choose it as their final resting place sleep undisturbed and their burial plots cared for by their Japanese hosts. My respect for the Japanese in maintaining this prime piece of real-estate for those who remain here is symbolic of the Japanese character where "honor" reigns supreme.
__________________________________
Photograph by ilcavaliereinglese

Tokyo 1659

Tokyo 1659, a photo by tokyoform on Flickr.

This is the essence of the Japanese bar scene.

It was like this in 1961 through 1963, so I now realize that these unique bars are still a joy. The only difference now is the Yen exchange. In the early 60s, the exchange rate was 360 Yen per one U.S.dollar. The alleys appear to be paved now with digital lighting. The lighting was a little less bright back then.

It was fun for this young man then......

TOKYO 2006

TOKYO 2006, a photo by manel gran canaria on Flickr.

TOKYO 2006 by manel gran canaria___________________________

Long ago, hairstyles like these were common...

THANKS TO MANEL ALMAZAN for great photo.

IT WAS A GREAT TOUR OF DUTY

IT WAS A GREAT TOUR OF DUTY, a photo by roberthuffstutter on Flickr.

On a clear day, Mount Fuji could be seen from our Naval Air Station at Atsugi, Japan. Unfortunately, only one side of Mt. Fuji is revealed in this photograph. This photo was taken in the autumn of 1963.
Robert L. Huffstutter, editor of BLOGABOUTJAPAN

Welcome

Welcome, a photo by David Kyle Craig on Flickr.

Those of my generation will surely remember the frightening sight of KING KONG IN TOKYO when we went to the Saturday movies.

Well, now, it is Hollywood's turn to suffer the wrath of the GIANT SLIME AND LICK TOAD whose vicious tongue eradicates all who are guilty of adding methane gases to the environment.

Hint: stay away from Hollywood and Vine...

The photograph is by my Flickr friend David Kyle Craig; the text is by Earl R. Stonebridge.

Gion lantern

Gion lantern, a photo by i_love_japan_27 on Flickr.

Gion lantern by i_love_japan_27

Brad's photos of Japan are a real treat for those who have been to Japan or are planning on a visit.

This is one of my favorites photos by my Flickr friend who is serving in the U.S.Navy and shooting photos of all aspects of Japanese life and scenery. Please take time out to enjoy his Flickr photostream.
_________________________________
Click on highlighted text and you will be be transferred to Brad's Flickr photostream.

takagi_famous_1919_15

takagi_famous_1919_15, a photo by roberthuffstutter on Flickr.

THE YOKOHAMA PIER OF THE LATE 1800S. Photo by famous Japanese photographer of that era, Takagi

www.baxleystamps.com/litho/ta/1919110319b.shtml

YOKOHAMA PIER, Photos by Takagi

Japanese-American camp, war emergency evacuation, [Tule Lake Relocation Center, Newell, Calif.] (LOC)

Japanese-American camp, war emergency evacuation, [Tule Lake Relocation Center, Newell, Calif.] (LOC), a photo by The Library of Congress on Flickr.

It was a shameful act and one that should not have happened. Certainly, so many years after the fact, it causes anger and despondency, two things that tell us we are still humans with conscience feelings about right and wrong.

No, it will not happen again.

Who is our enemy on the homeland today? There are many more than there were in the 1940s, and most are Americans, some elected and some appointed. What? you ask!

No, no proof or evidence, just observance of what is happening in my good old USA, in Washington and in the foreign service. But of course, this is my opinion.

I still have that right to have an opinion.

Mt Fuji 富士山 and Farm and Wood Gatherer

Mt Fuji 富士山 and Farm and Wood Gatherer, a photo by born1945 on Flickr.

Mt Fuji 富士山 and Farm and Wood Gatherer
There is quite a bit of detail in the largest size picture. There are a couple of workers to be seen.
___________________________________

Mt Fuji 富士山 and Farm and Wood... by born1945

Japanese children 1957

Japanese children 1957, a photo by asachitose on Flickr.

Japanese children 1957
Photo provided by Milt Kessler asachitose.com/MiltsPhotoIndex.html
___________________________________

Japanese children 1957 by asachitose
___________________________________

I look at this photograph and see children whose parents must have suffered much through World War Two. My heart aches for that suffering. I am glad that Japan has such a forgiving heart; I am so glad we have been friends for more than 50 years.
__________________________________

My thanks to ASACHITOSE (Phil Peters) for making photos available for exhibition in BLOGABOUTJAPAN.

slide003

slide003, a photo by vincentvds2 on Flickr.

One of the best photographs I have seen of Mt Fuji with Yokohama in the foreground. I truly love this photograph.
___________________________________
Thanks to the photographer VINCENTVDS2

HIKER SILHOUTTE

HIKER SILHOUTTE, a photo by i_love_japan_27 on Flickr.

HIKER SILHOUTTE by i_love_japan_27
__________________________________

Photograph by Brad, a Flickr friend...

Otorii (Gate) at Itsukushima Shrine, Japan

Otorii (Gate) at Itsukushima Shrine, Japan, a photo by Sue Ann Simon on Flickr.

I love the lights in the distance. Lights twinkling in the distance are always special, but in Japan, such lights were joyful like no others. Perhaps, it was simply youth and Japan combined. Your photography is really special.
_________________________________
PHOTOGRAPHY BY SUE ANN SIMON

Ernst Ludwig Kirchner 'Mädchen unterm Japanschirm'

Ernst Ludwig Kirchner 'Mädchen unterm Japanschirm', a photo by pittigliani2005 on Flickr.

Ernst Ludwig Kirchner 'Mädchen unterm Japanschirm'
Quelle: HAZ, Ausgabe 15. Juli 2009.
___________________________________

Thanks to Pittigliani for exhibition of a masterpiece influence by the Japanese art of the era.

Untitled

Untitled, a photo by OwenFinn on Flickr.

I have a title for this photo: One Mastepiece by Owen Finn. I could write a novel about such scenes, really.

Best Place to Write Novels

Best Place to Write Novels, a photo by iNUiNUi on Flickr.

Yes. Once I get back to Japan, I hope to find a room like this to write the novel that lives in both my heart and mind.

Thanks to Yoshihiko Inui for a photographic masterpiece.

maiko od genka

maiko od genka, a photo by graza82 on Flickr.

...she sent me a photograph of herself in a kimono like this one and I was sorry that we had said "sayonara." That was in 1964.

THE BEACH VENDOR -- A Happy Snack of Japanese "Oden"

THE BEACH VENDOR -- A Happy Snack of Japanese "Oden", a photo by Okinawa Soba on Flickr.

THE BEACH VENDOR -- A Happy Snack of Japanese "Oden"
Ca.1898 photograph by T. ENAMI of Yokohama. ODEN....Yummy ! What you are looking at here is the Japanese equivalent of a Hot Dog Stand along the boardwalk of Atlantic City or Coney Island. If native Japanese looked at this picture while hungry, they would probably start to drool. www.t-enami.org/

MOTOMACHI STREET SCENE 1962, By Robert L.Huffstutter

MOTOMACHI STREET SCENE 1962, By Robert L.Huffstutter, a photo by roberthuffstutter on Flickr.

HISTORY OF MOTOMACHI, WIKIPEDIA REFEERNCES.......

Motomachi was originally a quiet farming and fishing village until 1859, when the Port of Yokohama was opened. Since then, the close-by Kannai district became the foreigners' business district, and the adjacent Yamate and Yamashitacho districts became the foreigners' residential districts. Situated in-between, with Yamate to the east, and Kannai and Yamashitacho to the west, Motomachi became frequented by many foreigners. Shops and businesses were opened, catering to the needs of foreigners.

Soon after the start of the Meiji era, the number of foreign residents increased. And western influence became more evident in Motomachi, with the opening of many cafés, bakeries, and boutiques. Such shops were uncommon in Japan at the time, and Motomachi helped introduce Western culture into Japan, as part of what is called bunmei kaika (文明開化?). This was the beginning of the Motomachi Shopping Street as it is known as of 2008.

In the 1970s, the "Motomachi Shopping Street" produced a new style of fashion called the hama tora (ハマトラ?) (short for "Yokohama traditional"). The most famous producers of the hama tora style were Kitamura [1], Mihama [2], and Fukuzō [3], three of the most fashionable boutiques in Motomachi.

In the 1960s, on one end of Motomachi stood the German Bakery and next door was the fantastic Madame Pompadour Bakery with the best puff pastry imaginable. When the aromas filled the street on Saturday mornings it was beyond description. On the end stood (and stands today) Nakayas grocery store, which sold wonderful liquor spiked communist jellies and jams from Czechoslovakia; nearby the vinyl record store which made available many popular 45 rpm records of the day on RCA Victor such as the Monkees and the Beatles. In between as today stands the Union Supermarket where one could purchase US or Japanese versions of the same cereals such as Sugar Pops. And across the street stood the French Restaurant with the best chocolate ice cream.

[edit] NamingUpon the opening of the Port of Yokohama in 1859, this area was called Motomura (本村?). The name was changed to Motomachi in 1860.

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Motomachi,_Yokohama

MUSICAL JAPANESE AUTO VIDEO FROM THE 1960S

MUSICAL JAPANESE AUTO VIDEO FROM THE 1960S, a photo by roberthuffstutter on Flickr.

MUSICAL JAPANESE AUTO VIDEO FROM THE 1960S
A friend of mine who knows how much I love the Japan of the 60s sent me some really vintage film clips a while back. I have been selfish, keeping them for my enjoyment, so now is the time to share them with you who also like vintage Japan, and of course, Japan today too.

View and listen, and let me know what you think. It is all about Japanese autos and pretty young women, Tokyo and Yokohama in early 60s.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=3aGx5_0A7qc&feature=related

noge street

noge street, a photo by Molly Des Jardin on Flickr.

SUDDENLY, IT IS 1961 AGAIN! What is missing, however, is the crowd of young women and young men from different cultures, meeting and partying until the early light of dawn. Perhaps this party has moved to another area?

PHOTO BY MOLLY DES JARDIN

This looks like it is near Ise-Zaki-Cho in Yokohama.

READY FOR A MOTOMACHI WEEKEND IN YOKOHAMA

READY FOR A MOTOMACHI WEEKEND IN YOKOHAMA, a photo by roberthuffstutter on Flickr.

READY FOR A MOTOMACHI WEEKEND... by roberthuffstutter
__________________________________
TAKING A TRIP BACK TO THE 60S WHEN JAPAN WAS REBUILDING, WHEN JAPAN WAS BECOMING THE SUPER ECONOMY OF THE WORLD. I WAS THERE AND WATCHED WITH GREAT ADMIRATION AND FASCINATION.

This is a sketch of one of my favorite weekend getaways in Yokohama where I could blend with the city and paint from my window, listening to the sights and sound of this most unique nation.

INSPIRED BY VAN GOGH

INSPIRED BY VAN GOGH, a photo by roberthuffstutter on Flickr.

VIEW FROM MY APARTMENT IN JAPAN IN 1963. Inpspired by Van Gogh's style. I only wish that he had been able to have visited Japan. I can only imagine what he would have painted. He often mentioned Japanese art; he admired Japanese art and lifestyle. What artist doesn't?

S.S President Cleveland At Dock, Yokohama

S.S President Cleveland At Dock, Yokohama, a photo by glen.h on Flickr.

S.S President Cleveland At... by glen.h

How I would have enjoyed this in the 1930s. My imagination soars. I could write a novel about this type of adventure.

Imperial Palace and Lake at Hakone

Imperial Palace and Lake at Hakone, a photo by ookami_dou on Flickr.

Imperial Palace and Lake at... by ookami_dou
__________________________________

A picture is worth many words. Thanks to Wolfgang Wiggers

GEISHA GIRLS GONE BAD ? -- Two Japanese Women Hiding Their Faces in the Docket of a Tokyo Courtroom.

GEISHA GIRLS GONE BAD ? -- Two Japanese Women Hiding Their Faces in the Docket of a Tokyo Courtroom., a photo by Okinawa Soba on Flickr.

GEISHA GIRLS GONE BAD ? --... by Okinawa Soba
_________________________________

Thanks to OKINAWA SOBA for his research on Japanese basketheads. There is something for everyone in his photostream, especially those who have an interest in both old and new Japan and Okinawa.

Spring is Here

Spring is Here, a photo by Sue Ann Simon on Flickr.

Spring is Here by Sue Ann Simon
________________________________
Truly, a masterpiece, a work of art. Only Japan can offer this breathtaking beauty. To return is my dream. Great photograph.
__________________________________

Photograph by Sue Ann Simon

SUNSET IN OLD JAPAN -- Heavily Photo Shopped over 100 Years Ago

SUNSET IN OLD JAPAN -- Heavily Photo Shopped over 100 Years Ago, a photo by Okinawa Soba on Flickr.

SUNSET IN OLD JAPAN --... by Okinawa Soba
___________________________________
SUNSET IN OLD JAPAN -- Heavily Photo Shopped over 100 Years Ago
Ca.1880s-90s photograph by an unknown Japanese photographer. How was this image PhotoShopped over 100 years ago??? Very simple. The albumen photo (cooked into the silver-laced, egg-white emulsion by contact printing it directly under the sun) was then washed and fixed in the darkroom, and (here's the critical part) was taken into the back of the PHOTO SHOP where somebody with a palette of transparent water colors got out his brushes and COLORED IT. That's it. I didn't touch.

THE MAN WHO LOVED GEISHA GIRLS -- A Foreign Photographer in Old Meiji-era Japan

THE MAN WHO LOVED GEISHA GIRLS -- A Foreign Photographer in Old Meiji-era Japan, a photo by Okinawa Soba on Flickr.

THE MAN WHO LOVED GEISHA... by Okinawa Soba
___________________________________
THANKS TO OWINAWA SOBA whose Flickr Photostream is one of the most comprehensive photographic histories of Japan accessible to those interested in Japan.
The below text is from Okinawa Soba's photostream:

THE MAN WHO LOVED GEISHA GIRLS -- A Foreign Photographer in Old Meiji-era Japan
Herbert Ponting, seated second from the right (with thinning hair) was one of the great foreign photographers to capture the nation of Japan during the last years of the Meiji era. He visited many times during the years 1901 to 1906, and produced well over 1000 negatives from which several American stereoview publishers produced their BOXED SET TOURS of Old Japan. By 1908, his views of Japan dominated all others, and as far as foreigners go, he could rightly be called the 3-D KING OF JAPAN. (Among Japanese photographers, it was only T. ENAMI who held the same rank).

Ponting went on to publish the beautiful 1910 book IN LOTUS-LAND JAPAN, fully illustrated with half-stereoview plates, including several in color. Ponting's favorite Japanese photographer was T. ENAMI, and, like GEORGE ROSE of Australia, considered Enami's photographs as the only ones worthy enough to be included with his own offerings back home. He was also friends with the pioneering Japanese photographer and collotypist, K. OGAWA. While Ponting was resident in Japan, OGAWA published two books of Ponting's photographs -- most or all of the images being taken from stereoviews.

It was only later, after these years of photographic experience gained in Japan and around the world, that he went on to even greater fame as the expedition photographer on Robert Scott's ill-fated trip to the South Pole.

However, Ponting's personal life was far from a "Lotus-Land" of peace and harmony. This British citizen and one-time resident of America deserted his wife and young children in favor of traveling the world, feeling that domestic life hindered his expression as an "Artist". He was also a "loner" type, and did not seem to have any deep friendships or long-lasting camaraderie with other men.

However, there was one thing that he loved, and that was the GEISHA of Japan. He fawned after them, and sought their company whenever opportunity allowed. His compositions using Maiko and Geisha are many, and he photographed them with a passionate love for their presence "on the set".

For more about Herbert Ponting, search his name on the web. However, the best composite picture of his life is given in Terry Bennett's PHOTOGRAPHY IN JAPAN 1853-1912 (Tuttle, 2006) which is available from the author himself at www.old-japan.co.uk/books.html or from amazon.com.

A Flickr caption about Ponting's work with H.C. White is here : www.flickr.com/photos/24443965@N08/5059368232/in/photostr...

For more on Ponting's Japanese 3-D counterpart, see www.t-enami.org/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/24443965@N08/2360328226/in/photostream/

Abandoned

Abandoned, a photo by Kempelton on Flickr.

AN AMAZING PHOTOGRAPH OF AN ABANDONED TROLLEY OR TRAM. Thanks to Amy Kemp for sharing this in her Flickr Photostream.
__________________________________
This is worth its weight in yen. Your capture of all of the intricate details are most rare and unique for a find of such a transportation icon. This is most likely from the 1920s and ran through the war years.

JAPAN AIR LINES -- Here's Your Cigarettes. Smoke as Much as You Want. There's Plenty More Where They Came From !

JAPAN AIR LINES -- Here's Your Cigarettes. Smoke as Much as You Want. There's Plenty More Where They Came From !, a photo by Okinawa Soba on Flickr.

Wow, what a treasue. Only you, my friend, could come up with such excellent photographs. Thank you so much for making it possible to remember flying to Japan in the OK TO SMOKE ERA.....

My flight, A Pan American 707, departed San Francisco in August of 1961. Within ten minutes I was smoking my pipe.

We stopped in Hawaii for a half an hour to refuel. Shortly after leaving Hawaii, the stewardess were beautifully clad in kimonos and were passing complimentary Suntory drinks and Ashai or Sapporo beer.

It was the first of many, many Suntorys and Sapporos. It was the flight of my life, one I would not have wanted to miss. Whenever I get bored, all I have to do is recall that flight to the adventure of a lifetime.

Thank you for your ability to share. Thank for making your photos available to those who have such fond and special memories of Japan. It is good that you have posted these rare airline photos.

Your Flickr Photostream on and about Japan is a collection that defines the essence of Japan. Your collection ranks among the very best available on the subject of Japan through period photographs. Your writing and historical information is not only educational, it is most entertaining. Thank you, Robert.

TRIBUTE TO TERESA TENG

TRIBUTE TO TERESA TENG, a photo by roberthuffstutter on Flickr.

Tags for this photo:
Teresa-teng sankien-park music photos-of-japan yokohama-japan sankien-gardens petri 1961-japan 1962-japan 1963-japan music oriental-music music far-east tour-of-duty-usn blogaboutjapan blog-about-japan read-my-blogs japanese-architecture japanese-gardens roofs-of-japan traditional-japan creative-commons

MY LAST DUTY STATION USS TORTUGA (LSD-26)

MY LAST DUTY STATION USS TORTUGA (LSD-26), a photo by roberthuffstutter on Flickr.

MY LAST DUTY STATION USS TORTUGA (LSD-26)
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/USS_Tortuga_(LSD-26)

When I reported for duty to the USS TORTUGA in February of 1964, the ship was in dry dock at Hunter's Point in San Francisco. For the first few months, we lived on shabby barges until the ship had been completely overhauled and refurbished. Once we got underway, the morale raised considerably.

MY LAST DUTY STATION USS TORTUGA (LSD-26)

MY LAST DUTY STATION USS TORTUGA (LSD-26), a photo by roberthuffstutter on Flickr.

It was not the kind of duty I was accustomed to after serving 28 months in the luxuries we were afforded in a post-war Japan.

My transfer from the Naval Air branch of the USN was not at my request but decisions were made that my service was needed aboard this vessel bound for some real adventure in the Orient.

The Tortuga was in drydock at Hunter's Point ( a real hell-hole) in San Francisco when I reported for duty in February of 1964. We were bunked in an old supply building on the docks until, alas, the flat-bottomed LSD was ready to get underway for numerous OPERATIONS AND READINESS cruises up and down the west coast from San Francisco to San Diego and back again. Up and down, down and up, close to shore, far from shore, docking and loading ammo, training at GQ throughout the day and night for nearly six months.

The Channel Islands, off the California coast, were used for strategic purposes during our training. Gunnery practice was conducted for hours on end during these readiness cruises.

If anyone figured out why we were undergoing such extensive training, nobody mentioned the subject. Such operations were normal after a vessel underwent a complelte overhaul.

We were not privy to what the purpose of such cruises and training were all about. Recalling these training cruises with very little time for going ashore, I have bittersweet emotions and memories of my final duty station aboard one of the oldest ships of its kind still in operation, but refurbished and ready for some real adventure in the far east.

My station during GQ was on the bridge, with a good view of what was happening.

MY FAVORITE BAR IN YOKOHAMA WITH BEN HUR SHADES

MY FAVORITE BAR IN YOKOHAMA WITH BEN HUR SHADES, a photo by roberthuffstutter on Flickr.

MY FAVORITE BAR IN YOKOHAMA WITH BEN HUR SHADES
The Ben Hur shades were all the rage in Japan in the early 60s. I had to spend what was the equivalent of $30 U.S. dollars to get my shades. For that amount, I could have spent three nights at Frank Lloyd Wright's famous hotel, THE IMPERIAL PALACE. ( I did spend a few nights there in 1961).

The Peanuts Club or Music Saloon was another story. It will always remain a fond memory. More about the Peanuts Club in other posts. Tags: Peanuts-Club Yokohama Japanese-Bars, etc.

I still have my shades and plan to take them with me when I return to Yokohama. I want to sit in a bar with these goofy glasses and buy all of the young women drinks. And I might do a few portraits too. Dream on, fool............

outside my window

outside my window, a photo by roberthuffstutter on Flickr.

SANTA MONICA 28 March 1964

SANTA MONICA 28 March 1964, a photo by Lance & Cromwell on Flickr.

ONE OF THE BEST SETS OF THE OLD CALIFORNIA BEACH SCENE I have seen anywhere. A set of 23 beach photos taken by Lance Nix in 1964. When I want to go back in time, I go back to this set, time and again. Here's the link:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/81918828@N00/sets/72157615416275548/with/3361759980/

SANTA MONICA 28 March 1964 by Lance & Cromwell

Tamagawa Park Tokyo Dec 1957

Tamagawa Park Tokyo Dec 1957, a photo by Mustang Koji on Flickr.

THIS IS ONE VERY PRECIOUS PHOTOGRAPH. I can almost feel the joy that was in this youngsters heart and mind when he was scaring the photographer. Who is this little tiger? None other than Koji Kanemoto, my Flickr friend 54 years ago in Tokyo. Who would have guessed that our paths would have crossed at some later time in life?

Ueno Zoo July 25 1957

Ueno Zoo July 25 1957, a photo by Mustang Koji on Flickr.

This is photo that touches the heart. I find it a darling photo of children. Taken in 1957 at the Ueno Zoo in Tokyo. Thanks to my friend Mustand Koji. Check out his Flickr Photostream.
___________________________________
When I was in Japan during the early 60s, children in these cute hats were everywhere, smiling, laughing and in love with the sights they were seeing. They were children on school outings and admired by all.

Tamagawa Park, Tokyo

Tamagawa Park, Tokyo, a photo by Mustang Koji on Flickr.

Tamagawa Park, Tokyo
多摩川公園東京昭和31年 Tamagawa Park Tokyo 1957

The toddler is my Flickr friend, Mustang Koji, Koji Kanemoto. Take a few minutes and enjoy his vintage photo. Mustang is a car enthusiast and has some great shots of custom shows, people, places and family. He has shared some of his photos on his Flickr photostream that are heartwarming, historical and photos that will cause one to stop and think about our wonderful relationship with Japan during the past 65 years.

Tokyo 1662

Tokyo 1662, a photo by tokyoform on Flickr.

Photograph by Tokyoform. This is a prize-winning photograph of Japan. It is most likely in Tokyo, but it could be wherever there are small sake bars and entertainment cabarets. I could not believe the drama of such a scene when I first arrived in 1961, and I would most likely be equally shocked if I ever return. My goal is to return to Japan and spend time painting and photographing some unique scenes.

Thanks to TOKYOFORM...check out the photostream.

Akihabara

Akihabara, a photo by Tim Slessor on Flickr.

TIM SLESSOR PHOTOGRAPH of the Akihabara area of Tokyo. Tim travels the world. He is in the film industry and is one master photographer. I admire his work. He captures the essence of wherever he might be at the moment...

Tokyo Tower

Tokyo Tower, a photo by Tim Slessor on Flickr.

Paris has its tower, Seattle its tower, Shanghai has towers galore, but Tokyo's tower cannot be mistaken. It was built shortly after I departed.

Tim has captured a great photo.

Shopping in Shinjuku

Shopping in Shinjuku, a photo by Tim Slessor on Flickr.

One of my favorite photographs of Japanese enterprise and freedom. My congratulations to Tim Slessor.

Confirming schedule

Confirming schedule, a photo by kasa51 on Flickr.

the difference between YOKOHAMA WOMEN AND TOKYO WOMEN? Yokohama woman are not always in a hurry...Great photo by KASA51

YOKOHAMA'S YAMASHITA PARK, Painted on site 1962

YOKOHAMA'S YAMASHITA PARK, Painted on site 1962, a photo by roberthuffstutter on Flickr.

A SHORT AND PERSONAL HISTORY OF MY LIFE ABOARD A TRAMP STEAMER By Robert L. Huffstutter

Back in the mid 1950s when I was a restless teenager and bored as hell with Kansas City, I wanted to get out of town and start living. I soon learned, passing Lawrence, Kansas, that I was going to have get a hell of a lot farther than Lawrence, Kansas to start seeing the world. And I had heard about tramp steamers. My English teacher back then, Mr. Smith, had mentioned the romance of the world of tramp steamers, so when I got home from my little trip to Lawrence without meeting any college cheerleaders, I started reading about tramp steamers and where I could find one that would sign me on so I could get to Hong Kong or Yokohama to start having some fun. Work? Sure, yes, I could work, I was young, and though not a giant, I could lift boxes and toss them up and aft and wherever, the kind of work I assumed would make up the life of a seaman.

Where does one go to find a tramp steamer I asked myself as I researched the library's reference section. No, I couldn't get to some English seaport to catch a steamer, besides they probably had all the help they needed. Was I longshoreman? I was barely a teenager, but maybe I could become a cabinboy. Afterall, didn't all the Naval heros start out as cabinboys, at least before we became free from the English? Going out of the country wouldn't work. I would have to find a port city in the USA to sign on. My aunt told me I should reconsider, finish school, get a real job. I wouldn't want to end up as a truckdriver would I? She said I would need a good education if I wanted to make more than $5 or $6 dollars an hour. I ought to try to get on at the steel mill where they were paying $7 an hour. That didn't appeal to me because I knew some friends whose dads worked there and they said it was hotter than hell inside those huge buildings. How about the BOP Plant at Leeds, not faraway. They built Buicks, Olds and Pontiacs. Well, I knew you had to be 18 and I didn't want to wait, I wanted to get on a ship where I could see the world, a tramp steamer. The idea appealed to me. I had just read Orwell's Down and Out In London and Paris and I figured Paris would be a great place to be down and out in, if only I could get there. Yes, I could start painting, meet a French woman, hang out in bistros and cabarets and have fun. And sooner or later, I would become famous, like that guy with the big nose that went to Tahiti and painted island women barely clad. Yes.

R.L.HUFFSTUTTER