Saturday, May 14, 2011

"Looking Back: 1992-Tokyo, 1992-Sydney, 2011-Ginza, Yurakucho, Gotanda, Etc."

This batch of video clips includes 2011 views of post 311 Tokyo with less lights burning in lower energy-on-tap Japan, and some 1992 views of Tokyo, Saitama, and - for a change - a couple of clips of April 1992 Sydney Australia.  I've only visited Australia, and never lived there, but I felt comfortable there, and Sydney reminded me somewhat of the San Francisco Bay area of California, as I suppose it might, with the culture having a similar English connection, similar climate, and similar geography (cosmopolitan city by a large bay).

Looking back on my 1992 visit to Australia, it seems like a very long time ago, and I guess 20 years is a long time - one generation basically.  Something I hadn't thought about much before, but shows up in the video a little, are the parallels between 1992 Tokyo and 1992 Sydney.  I had viewed them as radically different cultures at the time, and that they are, but there is a same-time common ground element as well, with things like paper train tickets and pre-Internet media (newspapers, radio and television) lending a common feel to society?  It's hard to pin down exactly, but there's a similar feeling to the 1992 Tokyo and 1992 Sydney videos that I just took for granted at the time, but now see as a common element of that era.

Overall, it's left me feeling rather nostalgic and wishing - once again - that I had a time machine to jump around in - sampling atmospheres and seeing old things again and new-old things for the first time (famous historical events, etc.).  Lacking my own time machine, the videos from two decades ago fulfill that function somewhat, as it feels as though I'm able to revisit what I saw before.  So many details come back when watching scenes I recorded twenty years ago (and haven't watched again until this month).  Once again I'm amazed at how many details go missing in the memory; how much of our lives do we really remember?  I had thought that we remembered most things and forgot some details, but I'm beginning to think that we forget nearly everything and only remember a select few occasions - although with something like old video or film showing the motion and sound of the past, often the memory comes back, so it must be stored away in some sort of archive in the mind....

Gotanda to Yurakucho (Yamanote Line) - (110423-1523)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qul1KlWfRBc

Riding the Yamanote Line from Gotanda to Yurakucho.

Hibarigaoka to Ikebukuro - April 3rd, 1992
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uEFnry0b3Qk

On the Seibu-Ikebukuro Line on April 3rd, 1992 - from Hibarigaoka Station to Ikebukuro Station.

(1992) Old Marunouchi Line Train Arrives at Otemachi Station
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ijQLukRlT5I

Watching an old type Marunouchi Line train arrive at Otemachi Station in 1992.

Drive to Station in Saitama - April 1992
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UoOqtL8Rmds

The view from the front passenger seat on a drive to a JR station in Saitama in April 1992.

Yamanote Line at Shibuya - March 1992
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y1SqXxGgPNw

Watching a Yamanote Line train arrive at Shibuya Station in March 1992 while listening to the station announcement.

(1992) Otemachi Immigration Office
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lvV7ZUGtsEc

View of the (former) immigration office in Otemachi in 1992.

(1992) Ticket Machine Mayhem at Ikebukuro Station
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OXcIC44hWfw

March 31st, 1992 - Walking past a huge crowd of people lined up to buy train tickets.  The new pre-paid cards almost completely eliminate this step.

Shinjuku to Ikebukuro - March 1992
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tjTMdNEdKDY

Scenes from Shinjuku and Ikebukuro Stations, and from the train in-between.

(1992) Shinjuku-Gyoen-Mae to Shinjuku - April 3rd, 1992
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Fm0gMrmPQM

Going from Shinjuku-Gyoen-Mae Station on the Marunouchi Line to Shinjuku on April 3rd, 1992.

Shinjuku-Gyoen Sakura on April 3rd, 1992
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=noTRjoITY9M

Looking at the many sakura trees and the many people who came to see them in Shinjuku-Gyoen Park on April 3rd, 1992.

Last Outbound Chuo Line Train - Hachioji to Takao - (110424-0131)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p4m-klTA_SE

Taking the last (1:30 a.m.) outbound Chuo Line train from Hachioji to Takao (the last stop).

Ginza Side Streets - (110423-1546)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vjBElvKw0tI

Walking along Ginza Side streets.

Yurakucho Plaza - Vertical - (110423-1542)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gJchwCJ6wuk

Taking a quick vertical look around in Yurakucho Plaza.

Mt. Takao (Near the Base) - April 2011 - (110425-1756)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WIu-oUMkaeo

Looking around and then beginning to hike up Mt. Takao - starting near the base of the mountain.  April 2011

Takao Matsuri Music Practice - (110425-2109)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7f_boSZY0AA

Listening to a group in a building in Takao practicing matsuri music.

Exiting Gotanda Station - (110423-1229)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HX4jMR8f2W8

Exiting Gotanda Station on a rainy day.

Approaching Nightfall in the Mountains - (110425-1828)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oxFwFBkpXNk

Walking along a trail as nightfall approaches in the mountains.

Mt. Takao Frog Noise at Night - (110425-2046)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D16q23TmL_g

Stopping to listen to frog noise in early spring at Mt. Takao.

Evening Keio Line Train to Takaosan-guchi Station - (110425-1741)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kp17BrO25gc

Taking an evening Keio Line train to Takaosan-guchi Station.

Walking Towards Gotanda Station in the Rain - (110423-1520)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_jIJAdk9Vo4

Walking towards Gotanda Station in the rain on Saturday afternoon.

Exiting Yurakucho Station - (110423-1540)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yJJadBFbFuc

Exiting Yurakucho Station and heading into the plaza.

Yurakucho Plaza - Walk Towards Ginza - (110423-1543)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tytGkOwUym0

Looking around in Yurakucho Plaza, and then heading towards Ginza.

2nd Floor - Leading to Ginza One Gallery - (110423-2100)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xKE0tfHJkGI

On the 2nd floor - looking around and then walking into the Ginza One gallery.

Midnight Chuo Line Train Leaving Hachioji Station - (110424-0116)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1III5bVHCDY

Watching an outbound midnight Chuo Line train departing Hachioji Station.

Waiting for Train to Depart - Takaosan-guchi Station - (110425-2115)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pG4OLfLrTaY

Looking around a mostly empty platform while waiting for a Keio Line train to depart Takaosan-guchi Station.

Almost Empty Keio Line Train to Takao - (110425-2118)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Oc247PFUL3c

Riding an almost empty Keio Line train to Takao Station.

Crowds Exiting Takaosan-guchi Station - (110430-1054)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t8PsH90y6G8

A large number of people exiting Takaosan-guchi Station on a nice-weather holiday day.

Live Music at Takaosan-guchi Station - (110430-1123)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R0OZ9AMKh4k

Live flute music at Takaosan-guchi Station on a beautiful spring day.

Mt. Takao Temple on a Crowded Afternoon - (110430-1340)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=djcwwlV6Km4

Mt. Takao Temple on a crowded afternoon at the start of Golden Week.

Singer at Mt. Takao - (110430-1437)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ztp7FJls1sI

Looking around at the spring green of Mt. Takao while a singer sings to a relaxed crowd.

Inbound Chuo Line Train Arriving at Takao Station - (110502-2035)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oQeUXcOrw08

Watching an inbound Chuo Line train arriving at Takao Station.

Group Exhibition - Aruga, Takeda, and Iketani (B) - (110506-1751)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ph_LUMweOXY

Looking around at a group exhibition by Aruga, Takeda, and Iketani at Gallery Kobo. (B).

Group Exhibition - Aruga, Takeda, and Iketani (A) - (110506-1743)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xju-9BvXu2o

Looking around at a group exhibition by Aruga, Takeda, and Iketani at Gallery Kobo. (A).

Tokyo Station - Waiting for Chuo Line - (110506-2318)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uPYwQSceEK0

Tokyo Station Chuo Line platform - waiting for a train.

Ticket Line at Showa Kinen Koen Park - (110504-1221)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gfiBmKlcvXc

Lining up for tickets at Showa Kinen Koen Park.

Entering Showa Kinen Koen Park - (110504-1225)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A9611P26ZYs

Entering Showa Kinen Koen Park during Golden Week.

Golden Week Showa Kinen Koen Park - (110504-1650)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rkZ4dTsvUb0

Crowded area near a pond in Showa Kinen Koen Park during Golden Week, 2011.

Showa Kinen Koen - Boat Rental Area - (110504-1653)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gAH6YgRng1M

A look at the boat rental area of Showa Kinen Koen during Golden Week, 2011.

Showa Kinen Koen Park - Closing Time - (110504-1757)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F1ihaMxCY_c

Showa Kinen Koen Park during Golden Week at closing time.

Yurakucho-SB (B) - (110506-2244)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=onixFz-L-Y4

Looking around at late-night Yurakucho-SB (B).

Yurakucho-SB (A) - (110506-2240)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iW75Ro8DKzM

Looking around at late-night Yurakucho-SB (A).

Entering Takadanobaba Station (Tozai Line ) - (110506-1336)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ThVHB_7W6AM

Entering the Tozai Line section of Takadanobaba Station.

Waiting For and Boarding Tozai Line at Takadanobaba Station - (110506-1339)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OX5yg8EGZH8

Looking around while waiting for (and then boarding) a Tozai Line train at Takadanobaba Station.

Nihonbashi Station - Waiting for Ginza Line - (110506-1358)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GDtBW8B3Yzk

At Nihonbashi Station, waiting for a Ginza Line train to arrive.

Boarding Ginza Line at Nihonbashi Station - (110506-1400)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sC6z6AKL_Gk

Boarding a Ginza Line train at Nihonbashi Station.

Walking Along Chuo-dori in Ginza - (110506-1406)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K1UoWF-P120

Walking down the street - Chuo-dori in Ginza.

Ginza Side Street Stroll - (110506-1932)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lrI1CpfqmRg

Walking along a Ginza side street in the evening.

Walking up to Yurakucho Station - (110506-1935)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8KWi0ENsZtA

Walking towards Yurakucho Station from Ginza.

Yurakucho to Tokyo via Yamanote Line - (110506-2315)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=USWLF40CJF4

Riding from Yurakucho to Tokyo via the Yamanote Line.

Takaosan-guchi - Looking Around - (110509-1817)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sAYJon3Nm_I

Looking around near Takaosan-guchi, near Mt. Takao.

Keio Line Train Crossing Steel Bridge - (110509-1842)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v00P3EIM5m8

Watching a Keio Line train crossing a steel bridge in Takao.

Evening Takao Station - (110509-1914)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pz-RT2PjgY0

Watching an outbound Chuo Line train arrive at Takao Station in the evening.

Boarding Tozai Line at Takadanobaba Station - (110510-1404)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Anr9-kw3Jys

Boarding a Tozai Line train at Takadanobaba Station.

Entering Tokyo Station - Yaesu-guchi (八重洲口) - (110510-1925)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pCD423BCFt4

Walking into Tokyo Station via the Yaesu-guchi (八重洲口) side.

Shinjuku Omoide-Yokocho, Etc. - (110510-2149)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rSJLFC-kjVU

Walking through Omoide-Yokocho in Shinjuku and then under a rail bridge.

Sydney - April 1992 (A)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H-1kvDxmCqM

A few views of Sydney, Australia in April 1992 (A), including train views, etc.

Sydney - April 1992 (B)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CMIfTHymR1w

Several views of Sydney, Australia in April 1992 (B), including train views, etc.  (Playing time 30-minutes.)

Lyle (Hiroshi) Saxon
http://www5d.biglobe.ne.jp/~LLLtrs/
http://youtube.com/lylehsaxon
http://tokyoartmusic.blogspot.com/

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