| The setting sun cast a shimmering hue of gold | | | | the confusion is the infamous ultra right wing group |
| across the cerulean sea as I made my way past | | | | known as Uyoku, whose modified trucks and buses |
| the outcropping of rock that dotted the | | | | painted black and armed with massive loudspeakers |
| pristine shoreline. I was making good time, though | | | | patrol the inner city broadcasting thunderous |
| thoughts of why and where I was bound | | | | propaganda and martial music at glass shattering |
| seemed inconsequential as I luxuriated in the | | | | levels, transmitting a form of high decibel intimidation |
| exquisite feeling of weightlessness that enveloped | | | | that can be not only detrimental to your political |
| my body. Inexplicably and without warning I was | | | | views, but to your ears as well. Much less rabid in |
| suddenly drawn into a vortex of sound dominated | | | | their intent but also exasperating are the mobile |
| by the shrill chant of a woman armed with a | | | | vendors, whose distinctive prerecorded songs played |
| microphone, who standing ominously over me as I | | | | non stop and without variation can be heard blocks |
| slept repeated the same incomprehensible name | | | | away as they slowly traverse the thoroughfares |
| over and over again.... As I abruptly sat up in bed | | | | selling anything from grilled sweet potatoes to laundry |
| it took a bleary eyed moment to realize the | | | | poles. Late night suburbia is also not to be spared the |
| madwoman who had somehow managed to enter | | | | onslaught. Packs of young marauders known as |
| my room was in reality driving past my apartment in | | | | Bosozoku terrorize the sleeping multitudes with |
| one of the numerous vans that I and the rest of the | | | | swarms of motorcycles devoid of mufflers which |
| populous would be subjected to for the next | | | | buzz mercilessly through the slumbering streets in a |
| several weeks. General election campaigns in Tokyo | | | | collective revving of motors striving successfully to |
| were in full boom. From the early morning hours | | | | simulate the sound of jets approaching the runway. |
| to late evening fleets of these horror-on-wheels | | | | After wearing out a myriad of earplugs in an attempt |
| invade the city, emitting messages from high | | | | to squelch the perpetual clamor, I decided one |
| powered loudspeakers atop micro buses consisting | | | | afternoon to take the long due vacation I'd been |
| entirely of an endless repetition of their | | | | promising myself. Over the course of the next |
| favorite candidates name. | | | | several days I made the necessary arrangements, |
| As in most cities in Japan, Tokyo suffers from lack | | | | and was soon waking up each morning to the sound |
| of regulations concerning noise pollution, and those | | | | of chirping birds at my friend's countryside home in |
| that do exist are rarely enforced. A leisurely stroll | | | | Oregon. The time spent in my haven of tranquility |
| down the bustling streets of Shinjuku is guaranteed | | | | passed pleasantly enough, but I found myself |
| to assail the senses with the scores of CD shops, | | | | yearning to return to the excitement of the big city. |
| game centers, and electronic outlets all insisting on | | | | Arriving at Narita airport a few days later I gathered |
| sharing their latest hit song or promotional come-on | | | | my bags and made my way to the train counter, |
| at peak volume by mounting speakers on their | | | | where purchasing a ticket I passed through the |
| storefronts. Entering one of the department stores | | | | entrance gate which suddenly erupted in a peal of |
| that line the teeming avenues in hope of gaining a | | | | clangs and whistles, as in my haste I had activated |
| reprise from the commotion, you're confronted | | | | the machine's alarm system by entering the wrong |
| instead with a series of glaring announcements | | | | entryway. Moments later as I stood on the platform |
| promoting any number of bargains to be had that | | | | the blurred flash of a bullet train sped past into the |
| day. As you step upon the escalator a sonorous | | | | darkness, the surging rush of air it expelled followed |
| voice that appears to descend from the celestial | | | | instantly by the deafening blast of its horn. Wearily |
| sphere instructs you in no uncertain terms to | | | | negotiating the last remaining steps from the station |
| “stand on the center of the step” and to | | | | that led home I could hear the plaintive refrain of |
| “watch your children carefully”. Merging once | | | | sirens in the distance, their interminable lament |
| more with the cacophony outside, you meander | | | | momentarily superseding the din of traffic that |
| aimlessly down a narrow alleyway when the | | | | serves as a permanent backdrop to the city. |
| seductive voice of a woman hidden from view | | | | Fumbling with my keys, I paused at the door as the |
| beckons to you with the alluring phrase of “I'm | | | | incessant bark of my neighbor's dog quickly evolved |
| backing up, I'm backing up”, only to discover as | | | | into a primordial wail that marked the proclamation of |
| you round the corner expectantly she resides within | | | | my return. A wry smile of resignation crossed my lips |
| the garbage trucks automatic recording machine. | | | | as I stepped into the foyer that led to my |
| Noise has always been a problem in Tokyo, and in a | | | | apartment. There could be no doubt about it. |
| city that is home to more than two million cars, the | | | | I was back in Tokyo... |
| dilemma is reaching alarming proportions. Adding to | | | | |