8 Comments
User's avatar
Here To Listen's avatar

As a massive fan of Hayao Miyazaki, you could not keep me out of exploring that beautiful bathhouse

Expand full comment
Gianni Simone's avatar

Just back from a rain-drenched walk around my house, your story and sunny photos helped me get dry.

Expand full comment
Kristin Newton's avatar

I wonder why the Emperors chose that particular field to plant the rice? Is there a mythological story behind it?

The bathhouse must have been magnificent in its heyday. I wonder if it will just collapse into a pile of broken wood in about 20 years time, or if it will be dismantled? I live in Tokyo and passed an abandoned house everyday for 20 years. One day when I passed, it had collapsed during the night. Finally, the lot was cleaned up and the building was hauled away.

Expand full comment
Julian Smith's avatar

I'm not sure why they chose that particular field. My impression is that their are fields all over Japan, perhaps one in each prefecture? That field has only been chosen this growing year I believe, so perhaps they rotate. How they choose the farmer and the field, I don't know. I will try to investigate.

The bathhouse really does look like something from a Hayao Miyazaki anime. I hope it doesn't collapse into a pile of broken wood, but it's in a pretty inaccessible location, so I don't hold out much hope of it being saved.

Expand full comment
Kate Elwood's avatar

it’s-OK-because-it’s-the-countryside clutter on the left.— I loved this and lots of other turns of phrase. It was really an enjoyable read!

Expand full comment
Julian Smith's avatar

Thank you! Is "it’s-OK-because-it’s-the-countryside clutter" culturally universal I wonder? When I was a kid in the UK, one of my friends lived on a farm and had all sorts of clutter including rusting ancient Saab on the driveway which would never have been acceptable in a more urban setting.

Expand full comment
Oleg Kagan's avatar

I don't know why exactly, but I find the photo of the single train car especially nice. Well, and the bathhouse that looks like it comes from one of the favorite movies in my household. :)

Expand full comment
Mark Kennedy's avatar

That last photo of the giant bath house is striking!

Expand full comment