Tokyo, Tradition meets Technology
Tokyo, Tradition meets Technology
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| A Nio Statue with the Un |
Anyhoo..back to the Skyscrapers, there are little oasis within the skylines, they have theses great little parks such as Ueno that have lots of things to do in them. Of course most have a shrine to a preexisting Emperor some to Buddha and so forth, these are really the only places where you would still see traditional style architecture in Tokyo as with the heavy wooden beams and slanty roofs that tip up at the ends. Since Japan allowed 'westernization' (the allowance and eventually encouragement to western ideas thoughts and culture to impact Japan's) much of the traditional buildings, and countries infrastructure has changed, and people like Samurai once venerated are and have been for a while, a thing of the past. Most accommodation is modern small and flat packed, Ikea and Japan could have a great thing going on. Maybe they already do.
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| Senso-Ji, Tokyo |
The opening of Japan forced by Mathew Perry shortly after the Opium Wars, really changed the shape of Japan. Japan has not only became westernized but has superseded the west in many ways in particular technology. I was greatly surprised when nipping to the loo in the airport that my toilet had about 20 buttons on it. One to warm the seat, and array of buttons to make it act like a bidet, and of course another to blow dry the area after. The most exciting of which was the privacy button, what is that you may ask? Well this is the button (with volume control) which plays music in your cubical when you are relieving yourself, sort of like modesty music. Neat huh?
There are working robots, there are endless devices and machines to minimise human contact, (lucky for us they're visual so we can order food, without pointing or gesticulating to what we want).
Among these shrines there is often planted, for want of a better word, 'holy' or 'sacred' plants often in remembrance of a venerated person, but also to add value to or emphasis to a societal thing such as marriage. In one shrine we visited in a forest they had a pair of trees growing side by side to reflect marital values in society. Quite pretty and scenic. They also have the biblical idea of the Alpha and Omega, except in Japanese its 'A' and 'Un' the first and the last, this is usually displayed out side the temples with the two lion statues mouths pulling the faces one would pull saying the letters. Perhaps one can assume a more universal connection.
Another exciting thing we visited was the Origami museum, this was a beautiful museum full of colour. They actually made the papers from scratch on the top floor. There were all kinds of creative designs. One of the artist took ancient Japanese paintings of epic invasion scenes and remade all the little figures in the correct outfits in models about 5 inches tall. But my personal favorite was a Chinese looking punting boat, it looked quite viking except for the dragon head and the hats.
Today's expedition was climbing the Skytree the tallest tower in the world I believe, not the tallest building though that still goes to the Burj Khalifa but it was certainly enough height for me (Olivia). I went to the first available floor I could stop at, whilst Andrew was given a free ticket by a stranger to go up further. This I did not fancy, instead I gazed out upon the vast array of skyscrapers which went as far as the eyes can see. But to my surprise these vast skyscrapers seemed miniature, and I looked down at all the pathways and roads with my little legs wobbling, thinking; 'I can't see any people. How can God see anyone if heavens up here.' Funny what you think when your legs are wibbly and you have just gone a third of a kilometer up in the air in little over a minute isn't it? I found often in Tokyo there isn't as many people as I was expecting. Apparently they work very long hours here, they even have a name for those who have literally died from working to much.
We also visited a fabric museum, however this turned out to be a expensive ladies fashion shop. Tho the gift shop downstairs was up there with the V&A full of really interesting artisan stuff. As a traveler it is quite difficult to pack into one suitcase everything you might need to wear across many cultures, between cities and rural place and I often feel a bit tatty. The fashion here in Tokyo is very different, there are some people here who have been to a rent-traditional-clothes shops and have dressed up in the beautiful fabrics and hair do's and wandered around the old temples. Another group of people are just in their work gear, others seem to be in rather 1940's style tea dresses but full length and not unlike a rather floral nightie. Others still are in baggy trousers, much like the ones I used to wear in the noughties and that I always remember my great auntie Jean in.
Anyhoo, due to the great firewall of China (yes that is what they call it there) Instagram will be blocked once we leave Hong Kong as well as this website, you will be able to see some photos of our Instagram here whilst we are in Hong Kong but it will be a month before we write again. Once we get back we will run a series of posts on China as we're there for nearly a month! I'm sure when you hear from us we will be fat and jolly from all the sweet and sour. (and the remaining Tokyo Kit Kats...)
All the best.
Olivia and Andrew
p.s. encase you were wondering earthquake wise we're fine, quite far away from it. We give our best wishes to those who have lost loved ones and loved things during this time.
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Links to other parts of the world
- Overview
- European Ecstasy
- Adventures in Asia
- Pacific Paradise
- Instagram - Up to date pictures of where we are
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