Tarō Okamoto's L'Homme Végétal at the Hakone Open Air Museum

At the end of July, my sister came to Tokyo for several weeks to enjoy the end of her summer holidays before returning to Syracuse (and spend quality time with her nephew and niece). One of the first things we together was spend the day in Hakone. After summer vacation visits to some amazing museums in New York and Cleveland, you may have thought incorrectly that I must be tired of visiting museums. The fact is a visit Hakone without a visit to the Hakone Open Air Museum would be incomplete.

It's hard for any attraction in the Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park (富士箱根伊豆国立公園) area to compete with the natural beauty of the area. However, the amazing surroundings combined with amazing art is always a winning combination. There is plenty to see in the museum, and the gardens don't hold back with the amazing world class sculptures. After passing through the entrance, L'Homme Végétal by Tarō Okamoto is one of the first of many amazing sculptures you will encounter. I'll post a more of my photos from this visit, perhaps a sculpture from Henry Moore, Picasso, Alexander Calder, or Giuliano Vangi.

Nikon D600 with Nikon 24mm f/2.0 Nikkor AI @ f8, ISO 100, 1/250 sec.

Nikon D600 with Nikon 24mm f/2.0 Nikkor AI @ f8, ISO 100, 1/320 sec.

Bronx Cheer

Why is a Blowing a Raspberry also know as a Bronx Cheer? And did Tarō Okamoto know the connotations of that gesture shown in his sculpture?

Nikon D600 with Nikon 85mm f/1.4 AI-S @ f2.8, ISO 100, 1/2000 sec.

Young Clock Tower at Night

I was in Ginza several nights ago and passed the Young Clock Tower by Tarō Okamoto. It looks a lot more interesting in the evening than during the day.

Tarō Okamoto

I've come across several public art pieces in Tokyo by Japanese artist Tarō Okamoto.  The first piece is located in Ginza and is called "Young Clock Tower".  The other piece is located near the Children's Castle in Harajuku and is called "Children's Tree".