Four Starbucks Beauties
I took this snapshot of four beautiful women in different kinds of traditional Japanese patterned kimono, enjoying a break while chatting and drinking Starbucks coffee. I really think Starbucks could use an image like this for their advertising in Japan, don’t you? I love the smile on her face! Taken with my lovely 135mm DC Nikon lens at the Nihonbashi festival in October.
Tokyobling's Blog 
How colorful! (Japanese can’t live without a mobile. ^^) Indeed Starbucks should buy this photo from you for their advert.
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Haha… they sure love their mobiles! Thanks! It was so random that I saw them, i don’t even know why I was in that “backstage” area of the festival. It helps wandering around with a huge camera! (^-^)
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What an extraordinary photograph! It’s the perfect blend of tradition and modernity.
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Thank you for the kind comment Ms. Gobbledygookedy! (^-^)
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You just reminded me to leave some feedback for Starbucks! I love this photo they should buy it from you! Man I’d like to do a project on people drinking Starbucks too bad I don’t live in a big city. I guess I could just haunt my local Starbucks. But my camera might stand out…
Love, love, love your work!
What’s Nihonbashi?
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Thanks Dararmer! Don’t fret over the photos you can not take, take the ones you can! I would love to live in your area. I’d be out in the desert with my camera everyday I think. I have no idea how you guys find the energy to go to work with all that beauty around you! Oh, and one thing I have learned from Japanese photographers is to keep a mental list of what you want to work on in the future, and shoot it every chance you get. After a couple of decades you’ll have enough photos of people in yellow Stetson hats with goatees to have your own people in yellow Stetson hats with goatees exhibition! Just keep at it! I shoot all the pictures I can of fathers and their children for example. A couple of photos a week and in a couple of years I’ll have enough to make a book maybe! (^-^) Nihonbashi is an area of Tokyo named after the bridge that marks Point Zero of the Japanese road and distance network. In Japan all roads lead to Nihonbashi, it is said. The bridge itself is about 10-15 yards behind the girl to the left.
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That’s a really great photo!
Yes, it would serve as great advertisement, I’m sure!! ^-^
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Thanks Zoomingjapan! (^-^)/
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I notice they all have red bibs hanging under the obi. Though not an expert on these things (that would be Mrs Coal), my guess is that they’re wearing some kind of staff outfit. The hairpieces also seem to be from a different era, so probably some kind of period novelty stand perhaps? Lovely shot anyhow—don’t think Starbucks would run with this unfortunately, as they’re aiming at a more westernised demograph. Ever notice how they say “konnichiwa” rather than “irasshaimase” when you enter? Same thing. Starbucks in the US on the other hand…
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They are all taking a break from the festival in an area behind the food stalls! I hadn’t noticed the greeting, but I only go there a couple of times a year (I can’t drink coffee after 1800 or I can’t sleep properly at night).
Bright colors and edo-era hair styles, I’m loving it! (talking about major American food chains…)
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I agree, there’s a sense of warmth on her face and in her smile ^-^
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Thanks Marie! (^-^)
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This is one of my all-time favourite photos on your blog. And I say that despite the fact that I love horses (which you frequently showcase) and obscure temples (ditto). Grin. Lovely photograph.
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How nice of you to say so! I see from your blog that you have been getting quite a lot of exposure to old obscure temples lately, I’m almost tampted to hike out to Gotokuji myself! (^-^)
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They are so effortlessly beautiful, it’s such a natural moment. Women just being women, primping a bit and chatting a bit, drinking coffee and enjoying themselves.
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And with amazing hair…. (^-^)
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My father was stationed in Japan (Korean Conflict). He always said he never met a Japanese woman who wasn’t beautiful. He was in Japan when I was born, actually, and apparently baby me was slow to warm up to the strange man who suddenly showed up one day!
For some reason, these lovely ladies (and that radiant smile) made me think of him. He would have enjoyed this photo, too. (He would have been 80 on December 10.)
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Your father must have been a very happy man! Wish he was around to see what it’s like over here today. I sometimes envy those who could enjoy the world’s far away places before globalization and TV hit us and so many things became more or less the same all over the place. At least the beautiful Japanese people are still here.
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He should have been able to relax more. He was driven to do his best at whatever he turned his hand to. I think if he had lived to be a grandfather it would have mellowed him. Neither my mother or father had whole, happy families as children, but they worked hard to make sure that the family they made together would be different.
I think he would have returned to Japan with my mother at some point, after he had retired…but didn’t have the chance.
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Awesome photo. My first impression was: Hey, this is “Sex and the City ” Tokyo way. I hope you don’t hate “Sex and the City”. 🙂
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I wouldn’t know, I don’t have a TV! (^-^) Thanks for the kind words!
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“I really think Starbucks could use an image like this for their advertising in Japan, don’t you? ”
Yes I agree!
I just love this photo. 1st: I love coffee, 2nd: The mixture of modern and traditional culture is just perfect. 🙂
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Thank you Yanangski! (^-^)
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lovely ladies in kimono nicely captured. I like your photographs, every angle turned out well ^-^
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Thank you for the kind comment Zat! (^-^)
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Hi – I almost forgot… This picture made me think of a famous Finnish painting by Albert Edelfelt in 1887, http://cultured.com/images/image_files/2250_m.jpg . In fact, a couple of years ago there was a coffee ad based on this painting.
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Ah yes! Thank you for reminding me! Edelfelt is one of my favorite Scandinavian painters! He’s almost pre-raphaelitic! (^-^)
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Excellent photo!
I would re-blog this on my site but I can’t see a simple re-blog button on your posts(?)
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Sorry I was being retarded there. Duh!
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I often am… (^-^;) Thanks!
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Reblogged this on Developing City.
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