If only I had good posture and the ability to coordinate

I love this lady’s posture and super-coordinated outfit. Her pink umbrella matches her barrette. If only I could look so dignified in public.

Ladies in kimono make me breathless

It’s true that most of my observation tends towards the louche, the extreme and even shocking. Yet somehow my heart is also touched by the frequent displays of stately elegance that can take your breath away in Tokyo. Recently, I saw this group of elderly ladies in kimonos and sun umbrellas arriving at Taiikukan as I left the pool. I love how five are wearing identical blue kimonos with a ginko leaf pattern, while the sixth has chosen a different color. There’s something elevated and magical about their costume, posture, and their broad formation.

33% of Japanese Men Sit to Pee

According to a survey by Japanese toilet manufacturer Toto, 33% of Japanese men sit to pee at home. The numbers are almost 10% higher than five years ago. Reasons cited include “ease of posture” and “to make cleaning easier.”

Takuji Yano, Toto’s public relations staff, explains, “It seems that people are tending to be more conscious about the bathrooms in their home, such as equipping washlet attachments to the toilet and trying to keep them cleaner.”

Could this be true? Is this self-reported or observed research data?