Comments on: 10 Store-Front Facades, Ginza http://www.michaeljohngrist.com/2008/12/10-store-front-facades-ginza/ a Ruins Explorer and SF / Fantasy Author in Japan Wed, 08 Feb 2012 23:20:58 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Jc http://www.michaeljohngrist.com/2008/12/10-store-front-facades-ginza/comment-page-1/#comment-1492 Jc Thu, 01 Jan 2009 23:53:54 +0000 http://www.michaeljohngrist.com/?p=1004#comment-1492 Hermes God of War? Uh ... that would be Mars. Hermes is the messenger of the gods. Hermes though explains why the 'medical' symbol on the building: "The building’s outer wall has an interesting relief that most people overlook. It features the letter H for Hattori, with a cane and snake that symbolize Hermes, the god of commerce; scales to symbolize precision machines; and a silver cup to represent precious metals." [plundered from http://www.oldphotosjapan.com/en/photos/158/hattori-building-ginza] Hermes God of War? Uh … that would be Mars. Hermes is the messenger of the gods.

Hermes though explains why the ‘medical’ symbol on the building:

“The building’s outer wall has an interesting relief that most people overlook. It features the letter H for Hattori, with a cane and snake that symbolize Hermes, the god of commerce; scales to symbolize precision machines; and a silver cup to represent precious metals.” [plundered from http://www.oldphotosjapan.com/en/photos/158/hattori-building-ginza

]]> By: Kim http://www.michaeljohngrist.com/2008/12/10-store-front-facades-ginza/comment-page-1/#comment-1481 Kim Sat, 27 Dec 2008 19:39:12 +0000 http://www.michaeljohngrist.com/?p=1004#comment-1481 My favorite is the one you had the least to say about--Audemars Piguet. I tend to go for things a bit more traditional and the scrollwork in the stone looks so vintage. Having said that, they are all beautiful works of art with Hermes a close second. Great photos My favorite is the one you had the least to say about–Audemars Piguet. I tend to go for things a bit more traditional and the scrollwork in the stone looks so vintage. Having said that, they are all beautiful works of art with Hermes a close second.
Great photos

]]> By: MJG http://www.michaeljohngrist.com/2008/12/10-store-front-facades-ginza/comment-page-1/#comment-1478 MJG Sat, 27 Dec 2008 01:44:28 +0000 http://www.michaeljohngrist.com/?p=1004#comment-1478 Jason- Thanks, the crystals one is a neat way to display merchandise yeah. Orchid64- The Caduceus, right, I knew that but had forgotten, thanks for reminding me. I wonder if it wasn't just an affectation of the architect- to make the building seem elaborate- since it was built with only a watchmaker in mind, before the US got involved. Tornadoes- That's true, efficiency is key when real estate values sky-rocket- you have to get a lot of bang for your buck. Jason- Thanks, the crystals one is a neat way to display merchandise yeah.

Orchid64- The Caduceus, right, I knew that but had forgotten, thanks for reminding me. I wonder if it wasn’t just an affectation of the architect- to make the building seem elaborate- since it was built with only a watchmaker in mind, before the US got involved.

Tornadoes- That’s true, efficiency is key when real estate values sky-rocket- you have to get a lot of bang for your buck.

]]> By: Tornadoes28 http://www.michaeljohngrist.com/2008/12/10-store-front-facades-ginza/comment-page-1/#comment-1474 Tornadoes28 Fri, 26 Dec 2008 19:46:25 +0000 http://www.michaeljohngrist.com/?p=1004#comment-1474 The Hermes building is impressive. I like the Sikland Gallery building. Cool how even small pieces of land are utilezed for a tall building. The Hermes building is impressive. I like the Sikland Gallery building. Cool how even small pieces of land are utilezed for a tall building.

]]> By: Orchid64 http://www.michaeljohngrist.com/2008/12/10-store-front-facades-ginza/comment-page-1/#comment-1471 Orchid64 Fri, 26 Dec 2008 14:16:51 +0000 http://www.michaeljohngrist.com/?p=1004#comment-1471 The medical symbol is called a caduceus and has multiple meanings. My guess is that, since the symbol was adopted by the U.S. Army medical corps (and this is how it became a symbol of the medical profession) and the building was used as a U.S. army PX, the symbol may have been used or seen at some point and just stayed with the design. None of the meanings of the caduceus fit a watchmaker (at least not any that I could find). Great pictures! The medical symbol is called a caduceus and has multiple meanings. My guess is that, since the symbol was adopted by the U.S. Army medical corps (and this is how it became a symbol of the medical profession) and the building was used as a U.S. army PX, the symbol may have been used or seen at some point and just stayed with the design. None of the meanings of the caduceus fit a watchmaker (at least not any that I could find).

Great pictures!

]]> By: Jason http://www.michaeljohngrist.com/2008/12/10-store-front-facades-ginza/comment-page-1/#comment-1469 Jason Fri, 26 Dec 2008 13:11:36 +0000 http://www.michaeljohngrist.com/?p=1004#comment-1469 Some creative shots...good to see you putting the D90 to good use...I like the one of the crystals through the glass square. Some creative shots…good to see you putting the D90 to good use…I like the one of the crystals through the glass square.

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