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Afterwords Japan: Through the Torii Gate

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Afterwords Japan: Through the Torii Gate Afterwords Japan: Through the Torii Gate

Archive

AWJ: 06 — Streets of Serendipity

Portrait of Takayuki Ishitani brewing espresso at Toranomon Koffee

May 12th, 2019

Tokyo

Sometimes a destination is purely functional. Going somewhere to write, for example, simply needs to have decent lighting and some semblance of calm. I prefer the presence of other people - a few, not too many; feeling the light bustle of life and living stirs up my creativity. And for an old-fashioned millennial such as myself who still uses a pen and paper, a dry and clean table would be ideal.

#6
May 12, 2022
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AWJ: 05 — Dark Arts

Koffee Mameya Entrance - Minimalist ikebana

May 11th, 2019

Tokyo

Subtlety is a classic feature in Japanese cuisine - embodied in the tradition of consuming unadulterated leaves in tea ceremony, but extending into other aspects of the culture as a way of being. It requires a quiet foundation to pay attention to what otherwise might be undetected on nose, tongue, and mind.

#5
May 11, 2022
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AWJ: 04 — Wider Circles

Bustling Tokyo Station at Sunset

May 10th, 2019

Tokyo

Arriving underground, the subway doors open and I step out onto the platform. It's filled with orderly lines of commuters waiting for their turn to wedge themselves into my train. "Tokyo Station," the electronic voice announces over the PA system. Half a million people come through this singular hub every day and, due to jet lag, I have made the wise choice of acquainting myself with the city's subway system at rush hour on a Friday night.

#4
May 10, 2022
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AWJ: 03 — So About Last Night

A classic Tokyo taxi on Ginza streets

May 9th, 2019

Tokyo

I was violated by a toilet last night.

#3
May 9, 2022
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AWJ: 02 — Liminal Spaces Between Places

Between Clouds in International Airspace

May 8th, 2019

International Airspace -> Tokyo

There is a liminal space between clouds, where time doesn't follow what's on a wristwatch. From Chicago to Tokyo, we spent 13 hours in the air and crossed 14 different time zones; flying west and chasing the sun as it only slightly outpaced us.

#2
May 8, 2022
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AWJ: 01 — The Precipice

Japan Preparations Flatlay - Books, and maps, and notes

May 7th, 2019

Winnipeg -> International Airspace

My flight leaves at 5:25 pm.

#1
May 7, 2022
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