I do rather enjoy the experience of entering a traditional Japanese-style home. It fills me with a sense of warmth and security: the smell of freshly laid tatami mats; a lovingly arranged butsudan; miso soup cooking gently on the stove. And at the same time, I'm often impressed whenever I find myself in a Japanese home that's been given a Western touch: wall-to-wall carpets; a lavish bathroom; a sit-down toilet; bread.

Customising ones home can be a fun, creative experience. However, I was somewhat dismayed to discover that one homeowner in Osaka has taken it to a shocking extreme: a surface-to-air missile defence system appears to have been installed at the front of the house.

Granted, the colour of the barrels does blend rather well with the exterior of the house, but that doesn't make it right. In my opinion, it's completely unnecessary, and will not only cause house prices in the area to drop, but also has the potential to cause a pan-Asian nuclear conflict if used irresponsibly. I don't know about you, but it makes me feel a tad uncomfortable.



Don't get me wrong, I'm all for people customising their homes, but why would anyone opt for a weapon of war instead of a newly fitted kitchen?

This entry was posted on Tuesday, July 05, 2005 at 7:09 pm. You can skip to the end and leave a response.