The following photograph rich article features scenes that Takeshi Yamada sees when he goes to shop for groceries in Coney Island area of Brooklyn, New York. All the photographs featured here were taken by Yamada unless noted. For years numerous films, TV news segments, DVD, and Youtube clips produced in American and Canada have featured the eccentric life of Yamada in Coney Island. This manuscript was produced by Dr. Eriko N. Bond, noted art critic and book author in New York City, as told by Yamada.

JOURNEY TO THE GROCERY STORE

Coney Island, summer 2007

By Takeshi Yamada and Dr. Eriko N. Bond

Part 4

Coney Island Creek, looking west. The largest spawning beach for the Atlantic horseshoe crab is the ”lagoon” area of the Coney Island Creek in New York. Its blue-colored blood is used to test the purity of pharmaceutical products such as diabetes medications, AIDS vaccines, flu medications, soaps, skin lotions, tooth paste, and others. Yamada counted 512 horseshoe crabs in one hour in the area in 2003; the lagoon was literally covered with the magnificent creatures engaging in mating rituals and spawning activities. (September 5, 2007)

Coney Island creek, looking East. Swimming horseshoe crabs can be seen from this bridge during their spawning months in the summer. Much garbage, dumped shopping carts and litter can also seen here, sadly. (September 5, 2007)

Takeshi Yamada being attacked by 7-foot long Giant Klingon Killer Worm and 4-foot long Prehistoric Giant Horseshoe Crab, at the Coney Island Creek. This photo is one of many photos taken by Leslie Van Stelten and used in an article that appeared in the Village Voice newspaper, a weekly publication in New York City. (Photo copyright by Leslie Van Stelten. All rights reserved. 2006)  http://www.villagevoice.com/nyclife/0646,tudor,75027,15.html

An old scrap metal company and Godzilla-like giant magnetic crane on Cropsey Avenue by the bridge. Seen in the back is a huge Home Depot hardware store.  (September 5, 2007)

The Six Diamonds baseball field sign, and a symbol of the Atlantic horseshoe crab. Yamada thinks the combination of this prehistoric “living fossil”, and the America’s good old sport of baseball seen here in Coney Island, is quite charming. (September 5, 2007)

Takeshi Yamada collected numerous horseshoe crabs carcasses from the Coney Island Creek and Coney Island Beach. In Japan, horseshoe crabs are considered to be the reincarnation of samurai warriors. Yamada created a series of artworks entitled “Japanese Samurai Warrior’s Ceremonial Reincarnation Masks” with deep religious feelings. Yamada created these artworks by using the real carapace of the dead horseshoe crab collected in Coney Island to pay homage to them and immortalize their dignity and honor. (Photograph by Charles Denson. 2007. All rights reserved.)

Copyright by Takeshi Yamada, Museum of World Wonders in Coney Island, Brooklyn, New York, September 2007. Revised March 2008, All Rights Reserved.    

E-mail: yamada108@aol.com

Special thanks to Dr. Eriko N. Bond, Lauren D. Travis, and Maremi Kakushina.

Proofreading by Theresa Baker

http://www.sideshowworld.com/SSA-15.html

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http://www.horseshoecrab.org/poem/feature/takeshi.html