Old buildings and Odd signage in Kochi

高知市の古い建物と個性のあるサイン

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Building likely to be deconstructed in the near future.
It's a construction supplies store.



There is something about this building (and some of it's neighbors)
that reminds me of Malaysia, or Singapore a very long time ago.
Just down the street:



I like the way someone has doodled on the 本 to make it look like an anchor.
It is (or was once) a ship rigging & tackle store: rope, anchors etc.
Which brings me to my next topic... signage:



DOG SWEETS and CAKE TEACHING Perrito
手づくりパン・ケーキ教室

Before you dash off to Google it, "perrito" means puppy, in Spanish.
"Aha!" you exclaim, "That makes everything clear!"...
But does it? Does it really?
For those of you who don't read Japanese, it says:
"Hand made bread and cake classes"
all very straightforward and avoiding any mention of canines,
immature or full-grown
...or any suggestion that the sweets may be made for them
or by them
or with them

Next is this gem.
A sign that stuck in my eye many moons ago...




So, the Japanese (月夜のサボテン) and the English
"Cactus of the moon night" correspond, if somewhat clunk-ily.
The random stamping of: "Have a nice day!"
clashes wonderfully with the "night" in the main name of the shop
and lends a slightly insane "here's Johnny!" feel to things.
and then there's the PIG topping things off...
with "ibushi" (could be a family name) but I want to think it means "smoked",
written underneath...so we have:
"smoked pork"
"cactus moon night"
"have a nice day!"
and finally the barbers pole and "cut & perm" wording...
I have no idea what this seemingly random jumble of words and images means
and I am more than happy to enjoy it in it's absurdity "as is".

Postscript
I am in no way ridiculing these signs
no, wait
I am totally ridiculing these signs but only in the most freingdly of ways.
I would not wish these things to be "corrected".
In every culture it is the silly, absurd and utterly harmless things
that stem from the uniqueness of the individuals concerned,
which I find most endearing.