Assignment 4: Globetrotters' Japan (People and Places)

Source

This is a photograph of a place called Yoshiwara Pleasure Quarters in Tokyo, Japan.  In the picture, there are two men in the lower left corner staring up at the building.  On the balcony of the building, there are rows of beautiful women staring out into the street.  The street looks pretty bare.   

According to Wikipedia and the title of the photo, this was the red light district in Tokyo where men and women prostitutes entertained customers.  The photo is washed out with most of the colors being very dull, however the photographer manipulated the colors of the photograph by painting over the kimonos with brighter colors so that the viewers eyes go directly towards them and they are the focus of the photo.  The photo was taken at a lower angle so that the women on the balcony appear higher and displayed for the people on the street to see, almost like one's prized trophy collection.  Even though it looks like a very mundane day, the women look very bright and always there, ready to serve.

Source

This is a photograph is called "Arranging Flowers".  It is of two women, as said in the title, arranging flowers.  One is wearing a dusty pink kimono while the other is wearing an ivory kimono.  They are arranging white, purple, and red flowers.  In the background there are drawings of flowers and mountains, giving this photo an overall feeling of peace and a sense of serenity.  

The women in the photo are very shy and demure looking.  Their features are painted over very lightly and delicately so it enhances their pure and innocent looking beauty.  Their postures both hunched and submissive, it almost looks like they are telling the readers to watch them.  Also, their painted robes match the flowers, so it looks like they are a part of the overall arrangement and as the viewer, you are supposed to admire them.  They sort of pop out like the flowers do.  Their gazes are averted from the viewer and they both have very gentle steady gazes.  Overall they look like a part of the floral arrangement and are there for the viewers to admire and watch.