September 5-10: Osaka pt 2

Brendan here.

5th September. We went down to the Sakai bicycle museum near the Shimano Headquarters. A bit of a pilgrimage for me.

On the way there we saw this really strange sculpture of a heavily pregnant bear? I think. Anyway Naomi couldn't help herself and tried a comparison.



The unassuming front (or side) of the building.



“Long ago man straddling a two-wheeled wooden vehicle kicked against the ground, and took his first ride. That ride began the history of the bicycle, and the long-lasting relationship between people and bicycles.

Over many years, the human desire to ride faster and further has continually evolved bicycle performance and design. And then, the joy of off-road riding has contributed to the spread of a new bicycle culture around the world.

Today given the growing public awareness of environmental issues, the bicycle is regarded as an essential partner for people.
By riding bicycles, people can embark on the journey of a healthy and sound lifestyle.

The museum introduces the history of the wonderful relationship between people and bicycles. Located in Sakai, the birthplace of Japan’s bicycle industry and culture, the museum also suggests various new ideas as to how bicycles can enrich the daily life of people worldwide.

It is our sincere hope that all visitors will enjoy the exhibits and thereby feel a greater affinity for bicycles. It is also our profound hope that visitors will enjoy the elegance of bicycle culture." Yozo Shimano, Chairman of the Shimano Foundation: Shimano Cycle Development Centre.

Out of the many pictures I took I only decided to post a few as I'm too lazy to go through a huge stack.

This is a wooden bicycle that took my fancy.



The lugs were really interesting.



As you can see almost everything was made of wood, even the rims.



Here were some designs for the new safety bicycle (a bicycle that became popular after too many misshaps on the penny-farthing bicycle. I guess people didn't like getting there teeth knocked out when they fell off one).



And an all electric bicycle (not motor assisted mind you. You still have to pedal). The gear changing was managed by an onboard computer and all you did was push a button and listen to it clink into the right gear (I'm pretty sure the new shimano XTR shifters can be described the same way. I have a pair and this is exactly what they do).





Some experiments in seating. It just goes to show that nothing is new. This bicycle had the handlebars under your seat and coming up on either side.



A track bike with a massive front chain ring. Get up to speed on that and you could beat a galloping horse.



This was a cargo bike from last century. Longtails are coming back into fashion now (I don't think the old fella's called them longtails) so watch for these old clunkers to come back out onto the street.



This was a touring bike dedicated to the museum by a guy called Mikiho. I didn't photograph the plaque so I can't transcribe it here but he rode some way around the world and back on this machine. Respect.



The plaque for this bicycle read, "This bicycle was designed specifically for young teenagers in the mid-1960's. Children could ride a bicycle with 26 inch wheels for the first time, just like an adult. It was the first bicycle to adopt a special low-frame design which could accommodate a lower saddle position. In addition, it was equipped with a gearshift and direction indicators that made it feel like a car, and every boy wanted to have one. It was equipped with a special gear change system known as PPS (Positive Pre-select System) and FF (front freewheeling), and it had many advanced functions. This was the bicycle that boys yearned for, until the BMX (motocross bicycle) and the mountain bike appeared."



Hot bicycle. I would have wanted one. I think I want one now.

6th to the 8th September.

We went into town looking for items of interest to give as gifts. The markets here have all sorts of things. There is one street in Osaka where you can get all things kitchen related. Knives for example.



Naomi went wool shopping. Went nuts. I don't think I have ever seen so much wool.



And we just generally lazed around leading up to Naomi's birthday.



On her birthday we did more lazing around and had lunch at the Hard Rock cafe at Universal Studio, Osaka.
Naomi thinks we're going to have a girl so she starts buying girly things like this miniskirt. If we have a boy he's going to have to wear miniskirts until he is at least three.



I just drank.



We took some more pictures of Tadao Ando's trainstation at Universal Studios.









Then we went home to contemplate Japan's sporadic weather. Beautiful one day, trying to kill you the next.