Aah, symmetry.

Above: a Japanese bowl. Wooden base, bamboo lattice.


Rhythm.
Pattern.
Geometry.
More space than matter...

Some objects elegantly access the essence of what we call beautiful.

Japanese License Plates

Curious to know the era of these license plates, I'd love to hear if you have a clue. Each plate is 15cm long (about 6 inches). They'd look right at home in anything by Studio Ghibli.

Toyota MasterAce Surf

Ah, what a vehicle! The Toyota MasterAce Surf in its natural habitat - on the road.

This 1987 four wheel drive (yes, you heard right, 4WD) was first driven in Nagano, Japan before making its way to Dar es Salaam, Tanzania by way of Dubai. From Tanzania it drove through Zambia, Zimbabwe and Namibia to reach its possibly final home, South Africa. When it arrived, it was still wearing snow-tyres from Nagano.

Affectionately known as Deepak, in honour of its previous Tanzanian owner, this vehicle features 6 skylights (4 that open) and revolving, foldable interior seats for multiple configurations of lounging, chilling, chatting, touring or sleeping under the stars. What a gem!

The orange and brown side decals are classic and interestingly, the letters 4WD have been designed to mimic the silhouette of the vehicle itself ~ class.
(This is clearer from the opposite side of the vehicle but if you look closer you'll get the idea :-)