Comments on: Tokyo Sketches

By: James Baker

James Baker — Mon, 03 Sep 2007 17:57:42 +0000

John>>I worked as an English teacher for a few months until I lucked into a job at TOEI Animation studios. I also picked up a little steady illustration work for a few Tokyo based magazines. Being able to work in my chosen field was probably another reason that I enjoyed my time in Japan.

Yes, that Japanese addressing system is pretty whacky, isn’t it? That is why it is so easy to get lost over there. There is usually a little map of each neighbourhood outside each train station, so if you can read a little Japanese it gets easier…

By: John Hoffman

John Hoffman — Mon, 03 Sep 2007 14:17:21 +0000

Great sketches and recollections from your time in Japan. Where did you work when you were there?

I was there for about 10 days back in 1999 and had an amazing time.

The only thing that I found frustrating about my time there was the addresses of buildings. Nothing was traditionally numbered in order going down the street, they were numbered in the order they were constructed. A strange approach that makes it fairly difficult to find places.

Thanks for sharing!

By: James Baker

James Baker — Fri, 31 Aug 2007 19:14:34 +0000

J>>Thanks. The temple picture is ballpoint pen and watercolour

Martin>>Sorry, no sketches of that grimy guest house we lived in, although I do have some photos, so if you want a squalor flashback just give me the word and I’ll e-mail you a few.

Mark G>>A trip to Japan with you guys? That would be fun!

Benton>>I’ll keep my eyes open for that De Crecy book. Thanks for the tip.

Enrico>>I had originally planned to go to Japan with my brother, at around this time as a matter of fact, but it fell through at his end due to work budgeting issues…

Patrick>>That’s right! I first met you when you were a fresh LA Gaijin! But you are an LA old-timer now.

Ramon>>The travelling part is actually pretty easy. Any place you want to go has a ton of GUIDE BOOKS written about it that give you all the info you could possibly need. Finding work when you get there is the tricky part… it is just a matter of keeping your ears and eyes open for what comes along and it is a help if you’ve got enough money to get you over that hump of uncertainty when you arrive.

By: Ramon

Ramon — Fri, 31 Aug 2007 18:24:38 +0000

I’m always curious as to how people decide to pick up and leave to live somewhere completely foreign to them…very brave…its something I wish I could do..but I always want to know…How did you support yourself? How did you know where to go? How and where did you live? I think if I had answers to these questions I might try it myself one day!! Nice sketches!!!

By: patrick awa

patrick awa — Fri, 31 Aug 2007 06:36:30 +0000

I was so lucky to get to know you when I felt very “Gaijin” in LA on my early days! These sketches are amazing, Jamie.

Patrick

By: enrico

enrico — Fri, 31 Aug 2007 00:37:13 +0000

awesome rumination Jamie … wonderful drawings … the temple is amazing …

time to go man … or is your trip there postponed?

By: bentonjew

bentonjew — Thu, 30 Aug 2007 22:32:05 +0000

Nice sketches! Beautiful! They remind me a bit of Nicolas de Crecy’s Japan sketches in his book “Journal d’un fantome”

By: Mark G

Mark G — Thu, 30 Aug 2007 18:15:27 +0000

I love your sketches Jamie! The water color is my favorite. Me you and Rhode should go back there together, that would be fun.

By: martin ramsay

martin ramsay — Thu, 30 Aug 2007 11:26:08 +0000

For real ugliness Jamie B I was wondering where the sketches of the Tokyo English Centre are? I just had a flashback of Moses staring out of the window killing time waiting for the other guys from the dorm to get home after work. martin

By: J

Thu, 30 Aug 2007 06:12:46 +0000

These are awesome Jamie.
The painting blows me away.