Stardog Champion's Japan photo journal: Shibuya, part 4: The Kanji Man

Thursday, September 07, 2006

Shibuya, part 4: The Kanji Man

Shibuya also has a plethora of different kinds of vendors and artists. Or, in this case, artist-vendors. This man writes customized calligraphy based on your name and what kinds of things you want written. People gather around and stand enthralled as the characters flow from his brush like a quiet river. He seems completely oblivious to the gawking crowd around him as he writes words that are as much art to look at as to read.

2 Comments:

At 7:02 PM, micki said...: Some artists seem to feed off of the attention they draw when on the streets, but this man appears to find it a necessary evil and drowns out the attention with the music he plays. I guess he's gotta put up with the crowd to make the money.
At 5:07 AM, Robin Freeman said...: It's too bad you couldn't have done the onlookers better in the composition since they are a part of your narration but I understand the constraints as well. Another cool glimpse into Japan's modern culture. Thanks again my friend!

=:-]