ORDINARY TOKYO

Tokyo Ordinary : Hidden Temple Gardens

I LOVE it when I stumble into an enclave of Tokyo that makes me feel like; “WOAH! THIS IS A SECRET GARDEN!”. And just for a while, in that moment, surrounded by flickering sunlight and wrapped in near silence… I feel like maybe, just maybe…I might be the only person that knows about it. Of course reality kicks in and more often than not, the city breaks my bubble. Someone will inevitably stroll into my seized moment of ataraxia.

The last time this happened was just a couple of weeks ago. Walking our regular route to a park we regularly visit, we stopped at a temple so familiar to us. It had snowed the night before and the snow had settled in neat pools on the grassy areas rendering the paths, even the tiny ones, completely bare and revealing an unnoticed pathway that curved beyond our regular sightline.

 
 
 
 

Feet followed curiosity. A whispering breeze lifted ume blossoms into the stillness. The path wound on into a scene of dancing sunlight, receding snow, water and glimmering koi.

 

This ain’t no grand temple with an extensively laudable history. It’s local. It’s shunted up against a major road and tucked between houses on a residential and much loved walkway. Yet still, I encountered many fleeting and beautiful details here. Textures upon textures, layered with light, crisp shadows and subdued hues harkening the arrival of Spring.

 
 
 

One particular detail that has stayed with me since, is the hedge and the rock. I just can’t get over it!

A hedge trimmed so seamlessly that it appears smooth. Like a perfectly weathered pebble. The age old rock that emerges from within the hedge is rough and hewn with cracks and intrusions. A beautiful contrast of visual textures and human interaction.

THERE IS ALWAYS SOMETHING NEW TO NOTICE…

I must have walked right past this walled garden hundreds of times not knowing it was there. It just goes to show, no matter how well we think we know a place, there is always, always, something we have not noticed before. There is always something ‘new’ to see.


Location:

Enjōin

2 Chome-17-3 Daita,

Setagaya City,

Tokyo 1

55-0033

 

Noticing More: Hedge Hugs

I love it when I notice a good hedge hug.

You know what I mean, right?

It’s when a hedge appears to be extending an embrace to an object that just happens to be in its proximity. Like these:

Super Ordinary Life Hedge Hug 1
ACS_0822.JPG
ACS_0847 2.JPG
ACS_0846.JPG

Share your hedge hugs with us:

We’d love to share your hedge hugs here! Please email them to us and let us know where you saw them and where you would like us to credit and link the images to.

Actually, If you’re partial to any street objects that seem to be embracing. Not just hedges, it could be anything that caught your eye. please do get in touch. It’s always good to hear from you.

You might like:

Unnoticed conversations - Where we talk about the unspoken emotional mirrors humble street objects can be.

Ordinary Tokyo: Seeing Signs

October 2019. Kitazawa, Tokyo

October 2019. Kitazawa, Tokyo

February 2020, Kitazawa, Tokyo

February 2020, Kitazawa, Tokyo

The first time I walked past this little clinic, I was struck by it’s colours against those of the road signs. The second time, I noticed the reflection of the signs. Something as simple as walking on a different side of the same street, different light conditions or even a different mindset can affect the way we see everyday things.

Location: KItazawa, Setagaya, Tokyo