japanese houses aren`t insulated

It seems a very obvious thing to say but it also seems a subject not discussed often enough. It strikes me as being even more relevant after the intense heat and humidity of the summer.

The Japanese winters are dry and bring with them the hightened threat of fire. It is the busiest time of year for the fire service, as the majority depend on varied heat sources throughout the house sucking energy resources dry and the atmosphere even drier.
an eerie, traditional bell circles neighbourhoods by night to remind of naked flames and their hunger for timber.

from October the 1st in central honshu, and for 5/6 months (a long time to eschew extra padding), the air temperature drops and many devices are employed to act as deterents to the cold:

O-FURO
hot springs are replectated inside the home and a tiny bath of almost boiling water is prepared nightly for the family to share. The greatest advantage of the family sharing is the economy of the ritual (washing and rinsing take place before plunging). It can be kept warm between users by placing an insulated foil and foam blanket over the surface, and even re-heated the next night if required. you go to bed warm.

KOTATSU
the blanket over the living room `coffee` table which is a heat source and traps heat at the same time. your legs go under this. great for getting cosy, but hard to leave, often resulting in premature sleep/erratic sleep patterns. another `down` side is you don`t know whos feet you are touching.

TOIREI
The toilet. often described as the warmest room in the Japanese house during winter, due to the heated element in the toilet seat. a comforting invention especially in the middle of the night. the old fashioned version before the washlette was a towelled seat cover. questionable hygeine and not as great a heat source.

WARM A/C
hear your skin dry.

KAPETTO
an under carpet heating element. subtle and cosy but again, pretty dry.

PARAFFIN HEATER
Actually, with a steam producing kettle on top, this is a nice traditional feeling addition to a kitchen. slightly high on the danger scale, but has the real flame quality other heat sources fail to deliver.

OIL RADIATOR (movable)
remains warm when switched off. humidifier needed in conjunction.

while these are very interesting and cosy in their own right, do they really provide proper, economical and sufficient heat?

Is the lack of a more integrated heating system and basic insulation not the reason for all the colds, coughs and sniffles that can be seen on an average commute in Japan?

Posted by stupot at 01:21 PM Thursday 30 Dec | Post comment (0) comments

Posted by stupot at 12:08 PM Thursday 30 Dec | Post comment (0) comments

bikes and trains

the sight of bicycles on trains in japan, much like in france and italy, is rare. however the reality of taking a bike on a train is made particularly easy with the use of a bag.

japan, in being the 3rd biggest user of bikes after China and the US, have many bike related problems not least parking, theft and accidents (cyclists account for approximately 10% of the 9,000 road accident deaths each year - but this figure appears to be dropping - source: national police agency).

The positives surely outweigh the negatives though, as vast numbers commute, shop and even use cycling as a sport (there are approximately 1 bike per person of working age in japan).

bikes generally still have a slight stigma of poverty attached to them, and this is exaggerated as the japanese hunger for bigger and better automobiles continues to thrive (despite ingenious compact deisgns available).

so bikes are not commonly found on trains which could give the impression that they are prohibited. they are however, generally welcome - with only the condition they are wrapped and made an acceptable size (generally governed by the size of a large bike bag - that is to say, 1 wheel removed and stowed). on local trains a charge is not requested but bikes are not encouraged at peak times.

cheap bags can be bought from around ￥1000 but a decent one for a road bike (needing 2 wheels removed and stowed) and in a rip-stop fabric would be around ￥5000 (US$50). these come witha little reinforcement where the chainring and rear derrailleur come in contact.

Posted by stupot at 06:42 PM Tuesday 28 Dec | Post comment (0) comments

make up

a source of frustration on japanese trains, for some, is the application of make up by young women.

this is not simply an update of lipstick, but rather too often, full face make up. involving as large a mirror as possible (resting delicately on a moving lap), foundation powder (flying everywhere), mascara, liner, blusher and lipstick.

although this has travelled like an uncontrollable virus, it is obvious by the facial expressions of fellow passengers that it is still not accepted. make up doesn`t affect pace-makers, it doesn`t really interupt the silence and it is surely a right of the individual. so the rail companies have not instigated any laws.

for many the problem seems to be embarrassment. it`s surely a personal activity. a private activity? making yourself beautiful is really telling people on the train that you`re pretty average looking. perhaps even unsightly.

for others, it`s the invasion of their privacy that is concerning. consider a mascarra brush falling on your good coat. it happens. it has happened.

perhaps some guerrilla tactics/environmental art is needed. comments welcome.

Posted by stupot at 03:58 PM Tuesday 28 Dec | Post comment (0) comments

hair

hair is a constant fascination in japan. whether it be the seeming humiliation of men losing it or the continual changing of the colour for women.

so yes, most cultures enjoy hair dye, but the trend in lightening hair for women is wide spread. probably caused by everyone having a similar shade of natural dark brown/black hair.

the money to be made by large companies through ageing males seeking a bit of pride is also vast. hair implants - often quite noticable and very expensive - are popular, as well as wigs. a more inexpensive, unsightly and common option is the `comb-over`.

to contrast head hair - facial and body hair is kept to a minimum. beards are almost non-existent and are seen, by some, to be dirty.

Posted by stupot at 03:36 PM Tuesday 28 Dec | Post comment (0) comments

Posted by stupot at 02:59 PM Tuesday 28 Dec | Post comment (1) comments

kyoto style

although associated with temples, geishas and tea ceremonies, Kyoto this year, with its first designers block, has shown that it`s anything but old fashioned.

the details and subtleties of old have been transferred into making the city truly modern

Posted by stupot at 04:29 PM Wednesday 22 Dec | Post comment (0) comments