ROBERT HUFFSTUTTER says:
One of the best black and white photos I have seen in my lifetime. It is the defining photo of the traditional architecture and masonry of Japan.
Your photos define the many moods of Japan.
Today is the first day I have seen your photos. I am full of joy because your photos are like a trip to the Japan I loved and will always love. My first day in Japan was a sunny day in August of 1961.
I was able to stay in Japan until 30 December of 1963. My two years in Japan were two of my most ten most joyful years of a lifetime.
Now, almost 70, my memories seem to be more pristine than ever, remembering many of the details, many of the shadows and light I see in your most marvelous collection of photographs. Thank you for sharing your photographs. Robert L. Huffstutter
ROBERT HUFFSTUTTER says:
One of the joys of having been stationed in Japan for over two years was that the dollar was worth 360 yen at that time, but it was the people, always polite, nice and helpful. Not once in 28 months did I ever have a bad experience and I wandered off into the depths of Tokyo in the middle of the night. The streetcars were almost like an amusement park ride, especially late at night around the Bund in Yokohama. They would get up some real speed, sparks would fly and the entire care would shake, rattle and roll. Yes, for ten yen I could ride all over. I just got on the streetcars and let them take me wherever. For a young guy 19, Japan was like one big holiday without end. Unfortunately, my tour ended. See my BLOGABOUTJAPAN for more about streetcars.
ROBERT HUFFSTUTTER says:
The moment I saw this photograph of a Japanese smoke shop on a corner, I smiled with delight, remembering so many scenes I recalled from my time in Japan during the early 1960s.
This is a photo that defines the Japan I remember from the 1960s. Your angle and perspective are perfect. This photo is perfect in every way, shape and form.
It is as though time has stood still, the lantern glowing on the right side, the mysterious venues on the left that is most likely the private residence of the shopkeeper. There are the signs advertising American cigarettes, a universal symbol for smokers.There is the shopkeeper at work stocking the shelves, not wasting time.
The canopy, the geometrics, and the lighting--all combine to make this a masterpiece.
I have added this to several galleries and hope you approve of my selection. Thank you, Robert
ROBERT HUFFSTUTTER says:
What time of night was this taken? It looks like the street has been closed or shut down for the night. Was there some type of an alert going on--or did everyone decide to go to bed at 10:00 p.m.? Nevertheless, a cool photo, but I do hope not all of the streets have this type of lighting.
ROBERT HUFFSTUTTER says:
THIS IS A GREAT PHOTOGRAPH. It's a fantastic composition. Added to several galleries with the following text:
This is an example of the thousands of excellent compositions that exist in Japan for the photographer with the eye for Art Photography. While there are thousands of people who would not see the beauty in a photograph of this nature, the photographer, UTOUTOKUMASAN, saw this scene and mastered it in the lens.
It is a work I highly admire, one of the many reasons I am anxious to return to Japan.
ROBERT HUFFSTUTTER says:
There were once a myriad of bars and cabarets, bistros and clubs along this street.
It was difficult for me to leave Japan, but I had no choice. I would love to have rented a studio on this street and live happily forever after. Oh, the joy of a spring day here in the heart of what was then the heart of Yokohama.
AN ALLEY IN OLD YOKOHAMA...Isezakicho Street
Photograph by Bun Oshita
___________________________________
I recall this street when it was decorated with beautiful paper lanterns and real cherry blossoms during Sakura Season. It was a time of great celebration; sake and Sapporo beer, Asahi beer, Suntory whisky and sushi were free to all who chose to wander down this street of wonders,old Isezakicho Street. Hopefully, I will be able to walk down this most famous street again before I leave this earth.
Robert L. Huffstutter
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