citylikeyou — Kiyomasa’s Well — Tokyo by Mariko Sakaguchi

Tokyo / Attraction

This well in Meiji jingu is called “the power spots” from people recently. It was made by the military commander Kiyomasa Kato. It is not been dry from the Edo Period till today. So it is said that the well has good luck. People set up the photo of the well on their screen saver. Of course also me.

Address
Kiyomasa’s Well, Tokyo, Japan

Photographer

Current city: Tokyo

marikosakaguchi.com

Mariko Sakaguchi is a Tokyo based art photographer who studied at the Hongik University of Art Korea, and at the department of Moving Image and Performing Arts at Tama Art University, Tokyo. Artist Statement: “I am making art works by using photography. I am trying to cross the sense of private and public, and also now and past by taking bath in old style Japanese bathtub and stepping into photography by myself, You can see I take bath anywhere, It means the place you are seeing my works and also the place you are at now are not off-site. The place where you are has possibilities to be the scene of my works. You are not spectator, but party of my work, art. I want to be a part of art with you all.”

More Places in Tokyo 61

Tokyo / Shop

Sailosaibin is tucked away on Kannon Street, a 3-minute walk away from Sasazuka Station on the western side of Tokyo. The shop is situated next to a duck-filled Tamagawa waterway and the neighborhood park adjacent bears sedentary housecats. The scenery here is nostalgic and peaceful, nearly hidden next to bustling Sasazuka. It’s a space for us to indulge our loves — fashion for Yuki and books for Ian. The clothing is a mix of things we have designed and produced, as well as one-of-a-kind handmade pieces filled with other designers’ thoughts and sensibilities. Our accessories and zakka are distinctive and idiosyncratic — objet that evoke mystery and humor. We carry a range of new, used, and antiquarian books that relate to design, art, photography, and culture.

Tokyo / Airport

For myself, Narita airport is an important place. Traveling is a source for my creativity and it expands my possibility internationally. For me, it is a place to open a new door and take me up a new challenge.

Tokyo / Museum

Contemporary art museum of Tokyo. I had the chance to attend to 3 cool exhibitions. Huge rooms, nice scenography, good sound (saw Dumb Type collective/Ryoji Ikeda installations). Good restaurant too!

Tokyo / Area

Shinjuku is one of the busiest places in Tokyo and you can see various contrasts of society there. Numberless stories are rolling under the huge buildings in somberness. Good to walk around through the night.

Tokyo / Zoo

In Inokashira Park Zoo is the oldest female elephant in Japan, her name is Hanako. She became 64 years old in January 2011. She came from Thailand in 1949 and became popular. We all wish her long life. However, there was a tragedy that Hanako accidentally stepped over the staff working there and killed him. She was called “murderer” at that time.