Tokyo Photo News August 2017

On August 9, the opening event for the Monozukuri/Takumi no Waza Expo 2017 was held at Tokyo International Forum. Under the theme of tradition and innovation, the Expo was held for three days until August 11 to showcase the traditional craftsmanship that has supported Japan and the wonders of cutting-edge manufacturing technology. Around 80 organizations from Tokyo and other parts of Japan that are carrying on Japan’s tradition of craftsmanship opened booths at the“i (clothing),”“shoku (food),” "ju (building),”“kou (manufacturing),” and “Tokyo traditional crafts” zone and the “national crafts” zone to introduce their masterpieces and hold demonstrations.

(August 9, 2017)

　On August 25, the lotus flowers of Shinobazu Pond at Ueno Park were in full bloom. Shinobazu Pond is a famous site for lotuses; it was even included in Edo period ukiyo-e woodblock prints. During WWII, the pond was filled in and turned into a rice paddy, but after the war, reconstruction began and in the 1950s to early 1960s the pond was restored. The lotuses start to bloom in mid-July every year, and are a popular summer sight.

(August 25, 2017)

　On August 25, exactly three years before the start of the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games, a countdown event, “3 Years to Go to the Tokyo 2020 Paralympics Games,” was held at a commercial facility in Toyosu, Koto-ku. In her greetings at the opening ceremony, Governor Koike said, “As you all envision Tokyo three years from now, let us align our goals and let’s do our best with everyone throughout Japan to make these Games amazing.”

(August 25, 2017)

　On August 28, the sunflowers in Shiba Park near Tokyo Tower were in bloom. In August, Tokyo had 21 continuous days of rainfall, resulting in a summer with much less sunlight than usual, delaying the growth of the crops. On one of these few summery days, large sunflowers rose magnificently near Tokyo Tower.

(August 28, 2017)