#HistoricalBangers
A hashtag created, not out of cynicism, but out of preservation.
A couple months ago, I had the opportunity to yap with my pal Taylor Jackson about photographing well-known landmarks here in Tokyo. We agreed those images need to be had in some way or another. Tokyo Tower? ✅ Shibuya Crossing? ✅ Cherry blossom trees in Nakameguro on each side of the river? ✅ Oh, and I don’t want to forget that people are making videos about how to capture those images from a different angle so that they “are different” than everyone else’s. Man, whatever.
Also discussed was what I find WAY more interesting, the elements and locations in and around Tokyo that won’t be around for much longer. I think about the crumbling paper lanterns, rickety old signs, doorways that can barely stay open or closed, and whole businesses that look like they’re hanging on by a thread. All that brings me to this: A cool mural in Dogenzaka, Shibuya, and little did I know this mural’s days were coming to an end. Now it has been covered by paint that’s a shade of baby-shit brown. This epic piece of art is all but history. How long was it here? I think it was up for a number of years. I’ll have to go back and scan through all my images of the area. Now, this cool piece of art is all just a part of the #historicalbanger catalog. It’s not that old broken down signage on grandpa’s shop, but it’s still history.
And there it is. • #HistoricalBangers • Use this hashtag wisely. Use it for something that you feel might not be around for much longer. It doesn’t have to be an award-winning photo. Just craft an image that tell the story, like “Here today. Gone tomorrow” kind of vibe. In this case, I’m using it after the scene is gone. Sad.
I’ll continue photographing sites in and around my Tokyo home that are often overlooked. Join me in doing so.
The wide-angle image is in my forthcoming book, 𝑻𝒐𝒌𝒚𝒐 𝑯𝒆𝒂𝒗𝒚. Pick up a copy at the next Tokyo Streets exhibition later this month at Hibiya Okuroji.