I found this image interesting for many reasons. I thought that the western style buildings in Kobe were very different from anything else I had seen except from the images of Yokohama. The interesting thing about the image is that it could also be any western style buildings in any Asian city such as Shanghai. However, the tiles on the buildings still preserve that this in Japan rather than anywhere else. It seems to me that the roof tiles are the only things that keep this in Japan rather than it being in another Asian country. This picture gives me the feeling of a western street transplanted in to Japan, but with small changes to the buildings.
In this image, you see a man working on his paper umbrellas and lanterns. His gaze is focused on the words he is writing on the umbrella and he seems to be focused in general in his craft. He is surrounded by umbrellas and lateens on all sides except for his tools which are next to him. I also found it intriguing that the only bright colors are the reds on the lanterns above him. Other an a slightly bright green lateen, all the other colors are rather muted. This image gives the feeling of a quiet focus and intensity to the viewer.
I found this image interesting for many reasons. I thought that the western style buildings in Kobe were very different from anything else I had seen except from the images of Yokohama. The interesting thing about the image is that it could also be any western style buildings in any Asian city such as Shanghai. However, the tiles on the buildings still preserve that this in Japan rather than anywhere else. It seems to me that the roof tiles are the only things that keep this in Japan rather than it being in another Asian country. This picture gives me the feeling of a western street transplanted in to Japan, but with small changes to the buildings.
In this image, you see a man working on his paper umbrellas and lanterns. His gaze is focused on the words he is writing on the umbrella and he seems to be focused in general in his craft. He is surrounded by umbrellas and lateens on all sides except for his tools which are next to him. I also found it intriguing that the only bright colors are the reds on the lanterns above him. Other an a slightly bright green lateen, all the other colors are rather muted. This image gives the feeling of a quiet focus and intensity to the viewer.
I would agree with your analysis about the buildings in Kobe. If I was not told, I would believe this was an image of buildings set in a western country. And when it comes to the image of the craftsman the image is quite dull while the red coloring more than contrasts with the photo.
ReplyDeleteThe picture of the artisan was interesting to me because it was so dull except for the lanterns. He also took a backseat to his art.
DeleteI also agree with Ivan in that I would have thought the buildings were in a western country.
ReplyDeleteI like the second photo because the craftsman's gaze says it all. His attention to detail and his artistic skills produce beautiful crafts. I also noticed that that one lantern with the red circle really signifies Japan.
His gaze is the only thing that really keeps him in the picture, if not for his gaze he would almost fade in to the background. The lantern with the circle is absolutely a symbol of Japan.
DeleteI like how the first image shows an empty street with a string of Westernized buildings. It's as if the image is telling the viewers to come to this familiar environment. The red colors in the second image really draw the viewer's eyes to the otherwise dull picture and almost emulate around the umbrella/lantern maker, hard at work.
ReplyDeleteI really think that the photographer took pictures because they wanted to show how similar Japan can be to the West. Almost like an invitation to the Western style of Japan.
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