The Town where Now and the Past Have Crossed

Getting off the motorway bus at Takehara Station,
I checked a map. 

It seems to take 10 mins to get the historical district. 

I trace the route in my mind again 
as putting my camera out of my backpack. 

Having a stretch, I started to stroll.

A river flowing in Takehara city. There are many houses along the river.

Rivers in this town are stunning. 

There are many old buildings, 
that brings a kind of nostalgic feeling.

The town view from the opposite side of the river. The buildings like a hospital and a pharmacy.
The four cat-shaped ceramics placed in the show window. They apear to be a family with big and small shapes.

Traditional-style shops. 

Potted plants placed along streets. 

The view of an alley. There is a shop named Sakata Watch Shop at the corner. There are many potted plants along the house.

Such Details tell me how locals live there. 

That stimulates my imagination cheerfully.

Two bicycles placed by the house. The sign behind them says "Kido Skarp, Takehara Denka", that is a sign of electric shop.

Walking for a while, 
the colour of the streets looks darker. 

The street view of Takehara historical direct. Many historical houses with tiled roofs are lined.

Eaves with beautiful craftsmanship are lined. 

The close-up shot of the drainpipe. It is made by copper, and has beautiful design on the front.
The front view of the historical house. Over 10 bamboo-made arrangements are hung under the eave.

The stuff in front of the houses 
lets me know locals certainly live there, 

The photo of several potted plants and a rock-made basin, that is taken above them. In the basin, several round water plants float.

but looking around, 

it is just the world surrounded by clayey walls and tile roofs, 
that confuses me when it is now. 

A historical house with tile roofs and crayey walls. There are stairs to the mountain-top temple behind the house.

Once entering one of them, 

Inside of the old house. there are lattice windows at the front and the right, and a back door at the right front.

I feel as if someone appears saying “hi”. 

The entrance of the old house. It is at the left, light from outside is coming.

It is the days going by, 
but the time is still alive at this place. 

The close-up photo of light bulb. It is dark around. glass-made shade is set on the bulb.

I sense the current and the time going by 
in the same freshness. 

A flower arrangement placed at the tatami room. It has small round fruits and green leaves.

I stroll with puzzled mind. 

An electric pole with an old street lamp. An old house stands behind it.

I can’t find any words to describe my feeling. 

At the bottom of my mind, 
strong excitement is growing quietly.

Eaves of round-shaped roof tiles. The edges are designed with some family crest. A small flower grows between them.

From several hundred years ago to right now, 
people have been coming and going exact this place. 

I recognise the fact 
with every cell in my body. 

The street view of the historical direct. Many old houses stand along the alley, and you can see mountains over there. A stream of smoke trails at the middle of the mountain.

I deeply breathe looking up the sky. 
The winter air chills my nose. 

Smoke trailing over there 
reminds me this moment I stand.  

(Photography at Takehara City in Hiroshima Prefecture, Japan)

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