the donki AKA don quioxte
Where can you get a $900 1/16th scale remote control WWII German tank (complete with tank commander manning the turret) 24 hours a day? A magic place in Tokyo called Donki. Should one be concerned that, directly upon entry, the front and center items available at the counter are those mini tubs of vaseline and that mere steps away are grown-up sized animal costumes and other assorted masks and novelties? Hey now, Haloween’s just around the corner. Just to the left you’ll find glass cases full of Gucci watches, Chanel jewelry and Louis Vuitton hand bags. Everything I’ve described except the tank is just inside Donki’s first of five or so floors. Maybe it seems bizarre because we were hanging out there around 1am and the Shibuya surroundings make it a little crazier.
Another bit of excitement came a few days ago. This small clothing shop with a raised glass floor containing a city diorama created by US and international graf writers, artists and designers. There was a map and key for all the buildings, models and sculptures inside. The extremely friendly proprietor spoke with us and then went and flipped a switch.
A model railroad train started navigating the track around the city. After going outside the shop’s front window you could view a flatscreen television that picked up the feed from two alternating, remote cameras on the train. They actually provided a front and rear view from the engine so that as you viewed things from city level you were able to catch the artist’s work from multiple angles and not miss out on work that may have been hidden on the opposite side of a building. The shop also had some wall space dedicated to Japanese artists for a current, ongoing show which had some great work.
Anyway… I’m seeing lots of neat stuff, taking lots of pictures, eating well but mostly I’m walking. This trip is actually turning out to be excellent physical therapy which I wouldn’t have gotten at home. Staying this active is much better than spending big chunks of time in front of a computer screen and I can feel the difference.
30 September 2004, 08:10 ::
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