Unfamiliar in Familiar: The Neighbourhood Park
There is, I believe, nothing more disconcerting than the objects or places of our everyday mundane existence when the veil of night falls across them. In daylight, the sense of the ordinary, the benign normality is a comfort blanket but in the dark, this feeling of comfort is twisted. Uncomfortable shapes appear as the realisation dawns that the net of safety has been breached. The most frightening place is not where you expect to feel scared but rather where you expect to feel safe, throwing up an interesting paradox for rational thought.
In Japan, nowhere seems to encourage this feeling more than the innocuous local park.
The local park, if drama is to be believed, is a hugely important place for Japanese youth. These inelegant dusty spaces crammed between the quiet houses of Tokyo’s residential districts bear witness to the rites of youth. A deep confession of love or a heartbreaking admission, a fight between best friends or the lonely thoughts of an outcast, through Gokusen to Last Friends, the dusty park spaces witness them all.
By day they are children’s play areas, as normal as any neighbourhood park, but by night they hold a different appeal. Deserted and eerily quiet, despite being surrounded by houses, with still swings and playframes and dust bearing the scars of a minature baseball game there is a certain atmosphere to the area. One can feel the happy emotions, hear the mothers chattering and children playing on the play furniture, or see the teenagers doing their best impression of rebellion with half a packet of cigarettes and a bottle of beer.
As all around is still, the houses bearing forth little more life than squares of light, the feeling of liveliness gives way to one of impersonality. It is as if the park exists in two characters, effecting a jekyll and hyde transformation as the dark takes the life away.
I find it fascinating and wonderfully creepy to explore them at night. I love to get a sense of the days movements from what is left behind, to discover hidden shrines in dark nooks. Shrines that in daytime would be robbed of such mystery. When there is a silence that is at once peaceful and so utterly disarming that a rustle of trees overhead makes one jump. A sense of desolation emerges despite the surrounding life and the territory becomes alien. Departing childhood and into the scarier world; the same story happens every day.
I wonder why I get this strong feeling though. I can’t say I feel the same from a British park. I can only think it is in the huge contrast between night and day, between the differing crowds in various stages of childhood and the all encompassing silence of night. Whereas British parks are lively at all hours, there is something in that silence. Of how a place with such warm familiarity and importance in the day then becomes so unfamiliar at night.
Add comment January 20, 2010
psychoballerina
Tags: Japanese Life, Parks, Society
Making a chain of smiles
A Qpot is a mysterious pot. It is a very cute pot. It is one that makes you hungry, it is one that makes you happy. There is nothing about Wakamatsu Tadaaki’s creations that doesn’t brighten up the dullest of days. His confections of jewellery are designed to connect people by making them smile and every time I see a brightly coloured macaron or petit cake ring, my heart leaps with joy, feeling all the excitement of a child as I gaze on the cuteness…
If you venture off the sleek uniformity of Omotesando, away from the familiar brand-lined street and into the backstreets of Kita Aoyama you can find this veritable sweetshop of quirky cute.
The doors are two giant slabs of chocolate, each appetising piece imprinted with the swirls of the Qpot logo. The candy trail continues within and with eyes like saucers you follow to yummy rooms of chocolate, French bread, biscuits and chou creams. The scene is so yummy, it is hard not to grab one of the mini cakes and gobble it up. Actually I have noticed my cake buying increase since caving to the Qpot cravings.
Puchi travels… my beloved puchi cake ring
Travel Details:
From the A1 exit of Omotesando station, walk down the street towards Harajuku until you see Tod’s.
Turn left here and go straight down the side street until there is a Crayon House （クレヨンハウス) and turn left again, continuing up this street until you see Q-pot on the left.
Add comment October 15, 2009
psychoballerina
Tags: Cute, harajuku, Omotesando, puchi travel, Q-pot, Shopping
Let’s go puchi-travelling!
I’m revitalising, renewing, reinventing my blog. After a year of hiatus I am going to return with the idea of Petit Travels, give myself a clear focus for my writings. I will concentrate more on the hidden cute, cool, quirky and simply lovely things to do in Tokyo, interspersed with visits to live houses and short articles on daily happenings that amuse me.
Hence the new title, Little Travels in a Big City – every day is like an adventure, discovering something new each day whether that be a new shop, a place to indulge in tea or the traces of history that lie beneath neon pachinko parlours and department stores.
Add comment October 13, 2009
psychoballerina
Nioi Bukuro
Recently a private student gave me a lovely little gift after we finished the lesson; two Nioi Bukuro. I had told him I was planning on a trip to Kyoto so in addition to a guide leaflet for the city he kindly gave me nioi bukuro: minature perfumed bags that apparently are famous in Kyoto.
The smell is reminiscent of a New Age shop and are used to scent ones clothing in a wardrobe or tucked in a kimono sleeve to give oneself a subtle incense aroma all day.
There is some information, Here about this delightful Japanese tradition.
Meanwhile, mine are pictured below:
Add comment October 20, 2008
psychoballerina
Tags: Japanese Culture, Tradition
Shion is rubbish…
Yep that good old English rock music magazine has reviewed MUCC and… apparently it is only worth 2/5. I find this hilarious considering most Japanese music related bloggers and reviewers were overwhelmingly pleased with the album or think it is the best album this year. Kerrang though call it ‘non threatening’ and ‘tuneless’. Not sure when music last had to threaten me… but nonetheless Kerrang started off on a bad foot suggesting that Japan only likes bands like MUCC because they like ‘glittery’ things and calling MUCC ‘lightweight alt-rockers’. All the while they say this, they fawn over genuinely rubbish bands. I probably sound super bitter or something that Kerrang haven’t fallen in love with MUCC but seriously, Shion is far better than a measly 2/5. It is majestic in parts, from the innovative water-drop opening to the sense of doom permeating throughout Game and the track Shion.
Then again, why should I be surprised… it’s not English and that of course qualifies it immediately as ’shit’. I even read in Rock Sound today that MUCC would be popular IF they sung in English. Reality though that may be, can’t people start to look beyond language in English speaking nations. Seriously? It gets right on my wick.
Add comment October 16, 2008
psychoballerina
Tags: Japanese music, mucc, Music News
Little by Little
Like many working foreigners in Japan I teach a number of private students in addition to my regular work. As well as being good financially many of the people I meet are very interesting and teach me about Japanese culture as much as I help their English. I recently began lessons with a new private, an adorable lady called Hideco.
Last week Hideco told me she was in a band that she had named after the Oasis song, Little by Little. I wasn’t aware of the band so yesterday she gave me some CDs. It turns out that Little by Little are responsible for a number of anime themes including Naruto and Yakitate Japan and are fairly popular having has adverts screened in Shibuya. ‘Orange Range did the ending theme and we did the opening for Naruto’ she told me beaming. I couldn’t say much more than ‘wow that is quite awesome’ while musing to myself how life in Japan has taken another weird turn.
I listened last night and, any bias aside I really enjoyed it. Hideco’s voice is so very cute! I very much want to help them now, perhaps if they ever wanted to visit the UK I will try to help them.
The style is light indie pop rock; it kinda reminds me of Shakkalabits crossed with Ikimonogakari and a heavy layer of cute. The songs are so bouncy and full of optimism and life it is no wonder they were selected for fun anime themes.
The most recent single is Pray. A sample can be heard on the website. It is a beautiful wistful song that reminds me a little of Otsuka Ai.
Pray contains a further two songs:Re:birth Day and Japanese Compact Girl 148. The latter even has a twinge of Genki Rockets style electro!
3 comments October 15, 2008
psychoballerina
Tags: Japanese music, Little by Little, new band
Sold Out?????
I went along to Pia today to get a ticket for An Cafe’s live in January. They are to play to JCB Hall, which is no small fry in the world of live venues. Back when I saw them in May, I don’t think I was in any huge rush to buy a ticket so I didn’t think the same would happen this time. I was wrong, very very wrong. An Cafe went on sale yesterday and have sold out for every venue in the Tokyo area! I honest to God never thought they were that popular; this reminds me more of pop acts than VK. The fast rising re-surge in the popularity of VK continues to surprise me and now I have to figure out a way to get to this An Cafe gig.
Add comment October 13, 2008
psychoballerina
Tags: AnCafe, Japanese music, Live concerts
BAReeeeeN ~ Ashiato
Track listing:
足跡
color
CTCR-40262 ¥1,000(tax in.)
GReeeeN are a band with a great little visual joke. Written with many ‘e’s in English, in Japanese this appears as a mightily extended line： グリーーーーーーーン. Well recently, GReeeeN got together with fellow rap-rockers, Back-On and music producer JIN (who also happens to be the older brother of GReeeeN’s hide) to form BAReeeeeeeeeeN, a 10 member project (with six extra ‘e’s to symbolise the 10 members).
Naturally they are called バリーーーーーーン in kana, which makes for a fabulous visual joke on their CD art as the extended line goes round the casing a couple of times.
Is it a one-off, is it for longer? Only time will tell.
Ashiato, the title track has a very familiar GReeeeN feel with airy synth sounds mixed with a dance theme running beneath the quick vocals. The rap vocals appear supplied in the majority by Back-On while the melody is more GReeeeN. The chorus takes a pop-rock turn away from the dance vibe of the verses and the GReeeeN vocalist takes over. It has that fun sound that characterises much of this type of music; summery and positive music as winter draws in.
color is more rocky than Ashiato with an even faster melody. This with the electronica feel of the bridge combine into a highly infectious track. The chorus heavily reminds of kiseki, the famous GReeeeN song behind the drama, Rookies but, given the presence of Back-On, with more rapping. It is perky, slightly punky and in all a neat showcase of the Japanese rap/rock/reggae style.
Add comment October 9, 2008
psychoballerina
Tags: GReeeeN, Music Releases, Reviews
Zeal Link 1st Anniversary
Zeal Link Omedetou! The record label/ magazine/ live organisers turned a year old after giving us some great lives with … another great live. This time it was 24 bands, playing at two venues (East and West) at Shibuya O. The lineup was an impressive number of popular indies like Bergerac, CELLT, Ando along with heavyweights like AnCafe and Girugamesh.
I however was in the deeply unhappy position of having to work until 6pm so missed the majority of bands. I apologised to Zeal Link for my work when I picked up my pass, I was simply so happy to have been given the chance to attend. In the end my work schedule ensured I could only see 2 bands. There was a chance to see 3 but the choice between Sex Android and Chiba (from Sendai Kamotsu) left me cold. Nonetheless I finally saw Mix Speaker’s,Inc. and for that alone I am happy.
MSI were at East and boy was East packed! MSI ooze experience with Aya, seek and Miki in the band and from the moment they appear on that stage you can feel their slick professionalism. They put on one awesome show, even if it was only for 20 minutes. The live began with the poppy Go!Go! Bremen. Yuki and Miki – both adorably dapper in black suits and black ties – swapped vocals while the rest of the band danced along and led the audience in the dance. Aya was furthest from me, with his shock of red hair. seek was close though. He walked on stage on stilts in the ‘practical version’ of his official costume. This costume includes a Predator esque mask but today seek just had green hair, black suit and a face painted black. Despite officially being an ‘alien creature’, the outfit yesterday was something like The Hitcher crossed with The Spirit of Jazz from the Boosh.
When they actually picked up their instruments it was to play Junk Story, followed by the new song, one I forgot and finally MONSTIME. Miki and Yuki sounded great, although Miki’s vocals do show more experience. The twin vocal thing works so well in my opinion. Both visually and aurally; they dance with each other, it keeps the sound really fresh and the vocalist gets a buddy to mess about with. Not that the rest of MSI were inactive at all. seek in particular wandered around much and occasionally bellowed the death vocals. I was also overjoyed to hear Miki’s MC. He still whispers as he did when he was in SCISSOR. All in all, MSI were a class act.
My only other band of the night was An Cafe of whom you could have the highest expectations and yet still have them all met. It was a short and sweet setlist but still managed to include Tekesuta Kousen and a fantastic version of Donald Duck no Magical Adventure. This version included BAN and Sou from Lolita23ku. Miku stopped the song – as he does- for the daily An Cafe game, which involved pants. Or rather signed pants that they put on Sou’s and Ban’s head. The Lolita23ku pair ran around the stage with hammers tormenting the various members of AnCafe before throwing the pants into the audience and the waiting hands of fangirls. Sou wandered over to our side with Miku dancing along as Miku sang. Then suddenly Sou grabbed Miku for a kiss; it was not a mere peck but something last a good few seconds and the fangirls went crazy.
Lolita23ku left the stage afterwards, leaving AnCafe to play a new song, Kawaiyu’s Rock and then Snow Scene. The lights in O-East did not go up afterwards though so everyone chanted for an encore. AnCafe returned after a short bit of yelling EN COR RAY and finished up with the ever wonderful and ever popular Smile Ichiban Ii Onna. Band and fans danced away happily, it was a sad moment when I realised the song was coming quickly to an end and thus An Cafe’s set. Even though I had a tough choice tonight between AnCafe and NoGoD, judging by AnCafe’s sparkling and professionally delivered performance it had been the right choice. Unfortunately there are 4 more months until their next Tokyo gig but in the interim there is the cute new single (with cover art of a rabbit with a tommy gun) coming at the end of October.
Ah well… Zeal Link-san. Omedetou!
Add comment October 9, 2008
psychoballerina
Tags: AnCafe, Inc., Japanese music, Live concerts, Mix Speaker's
X Japan at Blitz…?
When X Japan announced their countdown live, it set my thoughts a-whirring. Johnny’s have the Dome with both NEWS and the Johnny’s Countdown. Most of the other large livehouses are occupied so where could X go. I thought the National Stadium near Setagaya would be the ideal choice, even though it is open air and on New Years Eve. Or perhaps the Yoyogi Olympic Stadium, both being huge arenas. Last week the venue was unveiled as….. Akasaka Blitz! Now don’t get me wrong, I love Blitz very much but X at Blitz? X, that tiny band who have played the 67 000 capacity Tokyo Dome 16 times and who earlier this year sold out three nights in a row there playing at Blitz. There were more people at the YOSHIKI fan conference event last week than can be stuffed into Blitz.
According to Yahoo News/Nikkan Sports it is because YOSHIKI wants to return X to their livehouse roots since they started out as such. They had asked the staff if they could do such a live before the Dome concerts in March but it was impossible so instead NYE has been chosen. I can’t help wonder though if the X sound is just too big for Blitz, and they might end up blowing the walls off or turning half the crowd deaf!
Add comment September 30, 2008
psychoballerina
Tags: Japanese music, Live concerts, Music News, X Japan
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