I’m a blogeuse (that’s the female version thank you very much), and gosh darn it I’m going to do my job! I know my last post had a depressing tone to it, but thank you for letting me openly wallow in my depression about my move for a bit–very therapeutic! A couple of you expressed the desire to have me post “lots” before I move, and even “lots” post Pacific Ocean jump. You’re on! I love to think that you may actually still want to hear from me even when I no longer live in such an exotic location. A little ego-stroking is always good for the soul.
Okay, on with show! The past few days have been spent doing some things like shopping for a wedding gift for a friend who is getting married, having the movers come and assess our apartment situation to decide the best strategy for moving Chez Fuji across the Pacific to California, doing some spring cleaning, and constantly preventing Squirrel from having a successful climb up the bookcase (I guess she’s trying to practice until she gets to try out her Squirrel skills on real trees). That’s not to say that I haven’t been having any fun, because I have been having lots of fun.
When I went wedding gift hunting I went out to the Harajuku and Omotesando areas, a couple of my favorite places of Tokyo. It was a beautiful day and I enjoyed walking through these fun areas.
Yesterday I went out walking with Squirrel and a friend, Ms. A, and her little boy, who are here visiting. We walked all the way from my train station through Roppongi (an area with a very active night life, but which is very calm during the day) and then on to the Tokyo Tower (that’s not exactly a short walk).
The Tokyo Tower, according to my reading, is the tallest self-supporting structure in the world, the tallest artificial structure in Japan and the 11th tallest tower in the world. It was built in 1958 and was modeled after the Eiffel Tower. It is actually 30 feet higher than Eiffel Tower, but is 3000 tons lighter (due to advancements in steel manufacturing and construction technology). A new taller tower has been proposed, so it will be interesting to see what happens with this one.
After admiring the tower, we walked a few minutes further to the Zojoji Temple, a beautiful Buddhist temple. The current temple was reconstructed in 1974 as the original was destroyed in the World War II air raids of May 1945.
On the way home we stopped at Roppongi Hills (a large complex that includes shops, restaurants, a movie theater, a museum, a hotel, apartments, and a variety of other things). We stopped specifically to see a giant spider sculpture, Maman, one of a series of six giant spiders made in the 1990s, by Louise Bourgeois.
{ 11 comments… read them below or add one }
That spider is so worldly! One of them was in a plaza in Copenhagen while I was living there. It was sad when they took it down. The plaza was so bare.
I like the print on your box.
Eeek! Giant spider! I hate spiders.
Wonderful post, by the way.
Sound like you are busy. Look at that traffic! You’re walks are so much more productive then mine. Shannon usually picks flowers and that’s about it. Glad to see you living your last days to the fullest.
Cool box! It’s really beautiful. The spider was my college mascot. Weird, huh?
Yes, I can see how your area has lots of French touches, FM.
It looks lovely!
I have box envy now! You need to teach me someday!
Funny! That spider is very big in Paris right now and everyone is wearing spidery black tights and very short skirts trying to become a walking Louise Bourgoise!
Lovely post.
Carolg
shopping in japan is so much fun. there are so many things to look at much less buy! :) thanks for all the interesting facts on the tokyo tower.
Great that you’re sounding a bit happier, but never worry about writing about the down times, it means that your blog is real.
Looks like you’ve had a fab day out and I just love the tea box!
Oh, and I may be in Tokyo next month for the design festa! Will let you know once I’ve worked out details, am thinking of staying in Tokyo for an extra day to do a bit of exploring while I’m there ;)
I don’t think my mom would appreciate it I named a giant spider after her! The boxes are gorgeous! I do collages on wood and boxes and small trunks too! I have a feeling that even when youa re back to the US you wil dig into your photo archives and post about stuff from Japan. Little thigs that may not mean a lot right now that you are “in it” but that will take significance once back.
I loved this post!
Women have been known to judge a potential date by his shoes.