From his south-facing view, we see a 'tischtennisplatte' or ping-pong table used for a plethora of purposes, including a sun bed, a laundry counter, a kids’ climbing frame, an exercise site, a family lunch spot, and a refuge from busy streets—almost everything except table tennis.

Tomiyasu spent five years documenting the humble table, and thanks to his sustained curiosity, we observe the peculiarities of human behaviour and social habits as seasons change, scenes mutate, and people come and go.

In Tomiyasu’s series, the ping-pong table becomes a stage for social interaction.

But why is it such a popular meeting place? Built as a piece of sports equipment, it is not a particularly inviting place to hang out. Neither is it in an attractive location, set on a small, dreary patch of green squeezed in between a car park and tower blocks.

However, the lack of alternatives makes the locals resourceful. To meet up, they appropriate places – in this case, a ping-pong table – in their own way. Whether as a table, bench, workout equipment or hiding place, their creativity knows no limits.

Strangely enough, the only thing the table was not used for one single time was to play table tennis.