Forss. Soulhack

Oh boy am I enjoying this album. Funk for Nerds best served loud with headphones and full concentration
 

Kinyobi Times

Fridays have become quite the iconic day of the week in my new routine.  If I felt I had a lazy day during the week it is made up by the relentless activity on this day. 

The day begins with a rushed breakfast and shower, packing my rucksack for the day with my behemoth of a computer, books, pencil case and so on. I then straddle the Mama Chari (bicycle for mother), which was my very pragmatic choice of bicycle purchase with its front and back baskets and chopper handle bars. I then ride furiously to Japanese class which I am perpetually running 3 minutes late. Sweating like a horse, I make it to class on time even before the always smiling sensei has arrived. After an hour and a half of mumbling basic words and sentences out of mouth I move on quickly to the adjacent building to prepare for the important design competition meeting. After spending a few days mentally consumed by the project, I feel I have some useful things to bring to the table by the time the meeting comes around at 1pm. The Monaco Design competition is for 10-15 luxury apartments in the Monte Carlo area of Monaco. The brief from the developer has been quite the hurdle to decipher and comprehend due to the local planning policies being in French.  The meeting was the first time to discuss design ideas and some engaging opinions were put forward, and it now this weekend’s task is for each member to present a scheme for Professor Kuma by Monday. I have been looking forward my involvement in a design proposal with Prof. Kuma for quite some time. To hear his opinion and particular approach to this complex project will hopefully be a valuable learning experience.

On with the Friday activities. I assumed that I would have to miss my regular Friday gym session with my great Swedish mate C. Thankfully, we wrapped up after a couple of hours and I shot through a successful pitch to make a late dash to gym. We busted out guts and concluded the session with some boxing that left us both lying flat on our backs in an exhausted and sweaty daze. We stumbled down to the locker rooms whilst discussing the various location potentials of the forthcoming preconceived drunken activities. After gym I had to again move hastily to a lecture whilst stuffing my face with a rice bento, 2 sandwiches, chocolate, protein jelly and milk. The lecture’s topic was on Japanese housing and refurbishment strategies. Interesting I thought, however the lecturer had a mature cold and read almost word for word the hand out he gave us. I nodded off at least 3 times. The lecture eventually concluded at 6pm, and now I had a 2 hour computer tutorial on Grasshopper. The tutorial was good, however it did finish half an hour late and therefore my estimated arrival time back home was shot. I called C and told him I would get back as fast as I could as we decided to meet N and J in Shimokitazawa at 10. I kept my word and peddled like a lunatic to get home. My thighs burned when I arrived. My spirit was up when I arrived and I quickly informed C that we should get going. I had a refreshing beer while I waited for C to choreograph his layered outfit. We took the JR Yamanote to Shibuya and then changed to the Keio Inokashira (which was packed like a can of sardines) to Shimokitazawa. C and I remarked how uncomfortable it is to be pressed up so hard against everybody; particularly when it involves adjacent bums, groins and people with colds.

We waited in the chilly breeze at the South exit of the station. N and J emerged from the narrow and glowing streets ready to commence drinking and eating. We approached a nomihodai (all you can drink) venue which was unfortunately full and J persistently expressed her disappointment. I pointed us in the direction of another potential place. The 4 storey building stood precariously on a discreet corner and we scoured the stairs popping our heads in to each bar to assess their situation. We ended up at the rooftop establishment called Lotus. Man this place is great! All that was need would be a bunch of Nepalese smoking shisha and we would be in Kathmandu. The friendly owner sat us down at a square structure that had the table top removed to encompass a large gas heater in the centre. The heat was overbearing and I switched it off. She served us delicious beer and a generous bowl of salty mixed nuts. We talked crap, ate the nuts, ordered another round, chatted with the locals and left in good spirits. J insisted we try the nomihodai place again and to everyone’s pleasure we were able to get a table. C voiced his concern of not planning to “fucked up” but in true C spirit he jumped on board the two hour Getting Fucked Up express. The next two hours consisted of C and I drinking and eating like animals. N and J drank solidly and were both keen to try an array of drinks from the menu. C asked us all a great question of what was our greatest memory. The next two minutes we all gazed to the ceiling in that usual process of going through your brains memory bank. I plucked out my time at Tilicho Tal as my greatest memory. I am still happy with that choice.  C’s best memory was standing at the top the Romanian mountains. The discussion rapidly declined towards the gutter where topics and anecdotes of sex and grotesque human activities were canvassed. When the two hours ran dry, we paid the modest bill and stumbled back outside by 2:30am. We waddled not far until we were halted by a pink sign saying “Girls Bar”. We laughed and giggled our way into the elevator and C was quite apprehensive of the plan due to our midweek revelation of understanding the nature of Pink Bits Salons. We were met at the elevator entrance by a security gard/host/pimp/door man and we bailed on the idea as it was as we assumed; very shady. Back out on the street we ventured into a dark alley where I proceeded to open various doors of adjacent bars. Each place was mostly empty and silent and reeked of unwholesome activity. I opened a handful of doors. One was to a Philipino Bar and the others assumed a general smoking watering hole identity. We clambered up a large flight of stairs to a place called Mona Records. The faint sound of acoustic performance embodied hope. I opened the door and the narrow bar was full and sure enough it turned at to be an all-night open mike night. After a song or two, we moved to the front table and assumed our positions for what would be the next 2 hours of enjoyable and skillful performance of mainly folk infused Japanese acoustic ballads. One guy played multiple instruments in multiple bands and also performed a solo piano and vocal piece. I was impressed. I nodded off a few times as did N because by this time it was approaching 5am. At the end of the night, we chatted in a mix of Japanese and English to Fujiya san, Terakajima san and Tanaka san who seemed interested in our presence. We were the only gaijins. We eventually left and stupidly ran to the station thinking a train was leaving soon. It wasn’t. From a distance, N, C and I waved goodnight/goodmorning/goodbye to J as she ran off to catch her train. At Shibuya C and I parted with N and made our usual sleepy, drunken journey back to our really hard futons at home.

Brian Eno

Taken from Brian Enos album: Drums Between The Bells. The key pioneer in ambient electronic is still pushing fresh sounds.


Brian Eno - bless this space (taken from Drums Between The Bells) by Warp Records

Tyler Durden

The Dust Brothers - This Is Your Life

Tasogare

Tonight C, J and myself ventured to Komyogi Temple for the annual Tasogare "Twilight" Festival.

" TASOGARE is a ephemeral festival at night with colorful particles of various sounds " http://www.taso.jp

And I would agree. The festival, held in the main hall of the Buddhist temple, was a unique experience in many ways. Firstly to see a live contemporary music performance in a Buddhist Temple is rare even for Japanese locals. Secondly, one of the only three acts was from Brisbane Australia. Unfortunately I found their evident discomfort with the rooms heat, PA sound issues and experimental rockisms difficult to swallow. Lastly, the night ended with all attendees participating in a Sutra Chant to Amida-Buddha; the statue at the centre of the hall. 

So we left a little perplexed however satisfied as to the reality of the evening being that we saw Australian and US musicians playing ephemeral electronic in a Buddhist Temple in Tokyo...odd to say the least.

We rounded off the successful evening with a Chinese feast followed by the quintessential ice-cream in Shimbashi, where a steam locomotive was decorated in Christmas lights. 

Toudai Autumn I

These some shots taken from the stairwell of Building 1, University of Tokyo (Toudai), Hongo Campus.  This the Civil engineering and Architecture departments. The autumn colors are beginning to appear. Quite the site.

Oki

Oki is a Ainu Japanese musician, fusing traditional Tonkori sounds with reggae, dub and world influences. This is a great cut, which I tracked down after hearing it at the Tokyo Art Beat 7th birthday Party. Feel free to move about like a rhythmic baboon.

Kane Ren Ren Dub by Oki

Chrysanthemum: Japan's Flower

Today's regular Japanese class was substituted for a visit to Yushima Shrine to see the colorful Chrysanthemum displays. Our Sensai guided us  there early enough to witness the morning ritual service and many workers dropped by to pray and leave for their regular Monday schedules. An arresting display of individual prayer boards all bearing the message of hope in passing the upcoming exams reminded me of my painful high school examinations. The flowers are a sure summer has passed and winter is on the horizon. A close friend asked me the other day what would be a good time to visit Japan, and of-course April first came to mind, however from my very brief time here so far I understand that Japan relishes in celebrating the beauty that each season has to offer. Autumn is definitely the season of rich color and vibrant color.

The chrysanthemum is the official flower of Japan. It has been cultivated there since the 8th century when it was introduced from China. The imperial family crest bears the symbol of the 16-petaled chrysanthemum, which has long been a symbol of longevity, dignity, and nobility.
 

Sugamo Jizodori - Harajuku for old ladies

On my ride home this afternoon, I was met wish an exceptionally busy Sugamo Jizodori. A street I ride down every day, it is an extension along the old "Nakasendo" highway, which was one of the five major highways in the Edo period.


Today was definitely a celebration of some sort as stalls selling things from trash and treasure, fish, sweets, antiques and mainly clothing for the elderly. So the presence of young bearded Gaijin wheeling his obtrusive bicycle down the street perplexed many. I also came across these two great buskers at the end of street; one on a traditional Shamisen and the other on tambourine. A fine combination.

The shamisen is a 3 stringed resonating instrument with no frets that is played with a large plectrum. It is officially on the growing wish list.

Sugamo Jizodori shamisen busker 

Autumn Sunday

After discussions of a Sunday autumn excursion over beers in Omotesando, I trudged home with my close friend C from the Toshima-ku dorm. I had a quick read over some web info on various Tokyo excursions and found the Nishisizawa Ravine hike as the most exciting despite the scarce info provided online. So I hit the futon (really hard) at 2.30am knowing I would need to get moving fairly early for the three hour journey out to Nishisizawa. The following morning all is well and I am up and about, finding myself on the 8.30am Limited Express to Enzan station. I reach Enzan feeling fresh and excited due to the glorious weather; therefore am eager to get the bus out to the starting point of the 4 hour hike. It's 10am and the next bus is at...1pm (two buses are at 8.10 and 9.05am). A few choice four letter words in my native English are blurted out and much to my surprise a local taxi driver close by understands me clearly and joyfully chuckles at my obvious dilemma. So my options are to go home (admitting defeat) or take a $70 taxi to the starting point (keep the autumn excursion dream alive).

Bugger it! let's roll Mr Chuckles.

The taxi ride is glorious. After a month of hectic Tokyo life cruising at top speed next through the mountainside was liberating to say the least. Mr Chuckles is super and stops the meter at least 10mintues before we actually stop, and takes me right to starting point. The hike takes 3.5 hours
(will take longer depending on fitness and amount of photography stops). It was a perfect hike for the afternoon; superb scenery and with easy going path but with interesting sections of clambering up rocks and crossing bridges. I would highly recommend this hike to anyone from Tokyo wanting to escape for a day.

 An unexpected highlight was Erinji Shrine (Shingen's family temple). I managed to catch the 3pm bus back to Enzan but saw the temple out the window and instinctively smacked the 'I want to get off' button. As the photos hopefully portray, it is a handsome Shinto shrine encompassed by a superb landscape garden designated by Kokushi Muso.

I concluded the already blissful day stumbling across Keuin Cafe. Run by a friendly and kooky local, Keuin Cafe is decorated with a array of hand-made objects, nic nacs, clothing, instruments, pottery, tapestry, artwork and jewellery. The cafe is located on the second level of this obviously architect designed concrete triangular planned shop / house. The owners living space is clear to view as you enter from the main street and is decorated in a similar hoarding/botanist style as the cafe area above. The coffee and complementary cookie were timely and delicious. She also fed me with books and magazines on Gokayama and iitobori wood carving after I expressed my interest in the traditional Japanese House and her personal collection. I consciously stayed much longer than I should have however I managed to make up time by hitching a ride back to the train station with a local tradesman in the now moonlit Enzan.

Tokyo Art Beat turns 7

The wonderful Tokyo Art Beat had their 7th birthday celebration. They have been keeping me up to date with the latest exhibition and general art and design happenings all around Tokyo. The event was an intimate affair held at a  Dictionary Club an event space part of a boutique art school in Shinjuku. Guests and Performances by: Yasuto Yokota (pseudo light); Mizue Ogiso (art installation); Ho Ho-Do (performance); DadadD (music), Beatinvstr(DJ). The craft beer, bento and cake stall where all delicious. E, C, J and I all ended up an "English" Pub where I could not resist the 1 litre test tube of draft. kum pai!

Tokyo in View

On return to Tokyo from The open air Museum we headed to Mori Tower in Roppongi Hills. Thankfully the Sky Deck was open and the views were simply breathtaking. Viewing lights and built environment as far as the eyes could see at the comprehensive scale of a Lego city was quite the arresting experience. After taking many photos I proceeded to the Metabolist exhibition...more on that another time. I enjoyed the walk through the Mori Tower rooftop machinery; it added to the experience that below your feet was an overwhelming machine of 57 floors for human commercial and living environments.

Later that evening, I met up with the Wednesday Night Dinner crew for our weekly cuisine splurge. This time it was Indian in Shimokitazawa. The complex curry flavours took me right back to India, and sudden longing to return occurred as I voiced of my many eventful Indian anecdotes to the crew.