The air in Tokyo this morning was thick with the scent of soy and something akin to sawdust – a curious but not unpleasant combination. I found myself quite captivated by the bustling market, a veritable feast for the eyes, especially the array of handcrafted wooden toys. Such artistry! One can scarcely find this sort of dedication to detail back in London.
I spent a pleasant hour perusing the stalls, eventually settling on a few charming pieces – a little something for my nephews, you see. I even engaged in a bit of playful haggling with the vendor, a most jovial fellow with a twinkle in his eye. We bartered back and forth with good humour, and I felt a genuine connection to the local culture. I was so busy counting out my yen that I momentarily set a small wooden spinning top I’d purchased down on a nearby bench.
It’s quite remarkable, really, how these simple pleasures can brighten one’s day. One can become so caught up in the grand scheme of circumnavigating the globe that one forgets to appreciate the little things. But it is the little things that make a place unique.
Categories: Travel, History, 1932
Tags: Tokyo, Japan, Wooden Toys, Market, 1930s
