clear space
After a week off, enjoying sakura in Tokyo, I’m back, refreshed and ready to continue with my memory archive — clearing the house by discarding no longer needed items and writing about the memories they hold.
As per my method of one item a day, it is getting easier to part from things. However, in terms of creating my ideal, clean and simple space that I’ve been craving for, so far I’ve only scratched the surface. Continue reading “memory archive — back on”
Cherry blossom (sakura) season has arrived in Tokyo, about a week earlier than usual. The whole spectacle is so fleeting that the full blooming period usually only lasts for a week. This year the weather forecast is splendid so people are out in the parks for hanami (flower viewing) picnics during the day or yozakura (nighttime viewings). I’ll also be doing just that for this week but will be posting again from April 2nd.
I’m tapping into memories of others now. These old weights aren’t mine (thankfully) but my partner’s. 36 dusty and rusty kilograms (about 80 lbs). He already owned those when we met and they’ve been sitting somewhere in storage since then. I asked him if there is a particular memory attached to the weights. Not really, he said but what he can say without any doubt is that those were lifted more often by movers than by himself.
So far I’ve hardly added any bigger items; the ones that are piling up in storage. Take this playpen: It clearly failed in fulfilling its actual purpose… Continue reading “memory archive – day 46”
I think so far I haven’t gotten rid of any real knick-knack — small, decorative and often fairly useless objects. I found such an item today. It’s a peculiar salt shaker in the shape of a duck (with make-up). Continue reading “memory archive — day 45”
There are shelves in my bathroom which are cluttered with old cosmetic products and toiletries. It’s time to toss some nail polish – the ones I haven’t used in years. The picture reminds me of old times in London and prior, when I had a lot of time on my hands and occasions to wear red or purple were a plenty.
A pretty entrance ticket that I have purchased already quite a few times since moving to Tokyo. It gains you access to the Nezu Museum in Minami Aoyama. The museum hosts a fine collection of Japanese and Chinese art, however, my personal highlight and the main reason that I keep on coming back is the architecture of the 2009 building – designed by Kengo Kuma – as well as the museum’s lush garden. Entering the fairly dark space, looking straight on through large glass panels into the beautiful greenery makes me always feel relaxed at once. I actually rate this tranquil place so much that I decided to add it to my list of favourite, peaceful spots in Tokyo.
Recently we received a rather large and bulky envelope in the post addressed to my son. It was the invitation for his health-check up done by the city ward we live in. Besides a long questionnaire to fill out there were instructions included for a hearing and eye test to do at home with your child. For the eye test they’d sent the above mask to check both the left and right eye. Continue reading “memory archive – day 42”
Today I found this object on a shelf. I don’t have the slightest idea what it is. Where does it come from and, most importantly, what was it meant to be used for? If the paint covering it had been red, I would have been certain I just found a murder weapon. So, today, an item is thrown away and added to the memory archive with, thankfully, no memory attached to it whatsoever.
After a long winter, finally the cold and flue season seems to be over. A good time to go through our medicine cabinet, I thought. This is where I found this object, still in pristine condition as it was only ever once or twice tried out. Continue reading “memory archive – day 39”
katazukete 