The calligraphy that I added to this picture was written yesterday. It is in clerical script and it reads 佛心, which means the heart of Buddha, or the compassion of Buddha. I hope it will bring you peace of mind and good health.
This 8th century wooden statue represent the Yakushi Nyorai (薬師如来), or the Medicine Buddha who is believed to heal all illnesses. I took this picture in the Tokyo National Museum in Ueno. I was pleasantly surprised to see that one was allowed to take photographs of a few statues that were on this special display, which is close to shocking in Japan. Usually anything and everything is forbidden. The entire chamber was dark and moody, with spot light highlighting only contours of several different sculptures. All of them had this magical aura of peace and harmony. One felt calm only by looking nat them.
The calligraphy that I added to this picture was written yesterday. It is in clerical script and it reads 佛心, which means the heart of Buddha, or the compassion of Buddha. I hope it will bring you peace of mind and good health.
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Kamakura (鎌倉) was once a capitol of Japan back in late 12th century. However, the history of human dwellings in this region goes back 10,000 years. It is a very small and in a way letargic town with tiny narrow streets linking its main attractions like a net of silk threads. In fact, Kamakura is so small that one can easily sightsee it on foot. The major attraction of Kamakura are the Japanese tempels, including several Zen Buddhism temples, and, of course, the statue of the Great Buddha. Below photo is a picture of a fragment of the Kencho-ji (建長寺, lit. temple of longevity and good health) Rinzai Zen temple complex. Kencho-ji is not only the most prominent Zen temple of Kamakura, but, being established in mid 13th century, it is also the oldest Zen training monastery in Japan. Buy a print of this photo at my store on Fine Art America.
Here is another photo from my little trip to Akihabara in Tokyo. This is a promo of a new series of the Saint Seya saga, also known as the Knights of the Zodiac, which is a Japanese manga series created by Masami Kurumada. This Japanese manga has qujite a history, and it first appeared on TV back in mid '80s. Today, there is supposed to be an event there, an opening ceremony of of (I think) a new strore in which you can buy all action figures, gadgets and comic books and what not, that is related to this manga. When editing this photo I had lots of fun playing with my new photo editing software and plugins, and fell in love with some black and white filters. The scene was quite busy and really colourful, rich in patterns, reflections in the glass and so on, so I figured it will look best in black and white. Let me know what you guys think. Buy a print of this photo at my store on Fine Art America.
Akihabara is a district of Tokyo, better known as "electric town", or Akiba. It is where one should go to search for computers, cameras, any gadgets that one can dream of, technological marvels, but also shocking displayes, crazy fashion, maid caffees, events, and so on. Akihabara is a place where your eyes will not find the smallest spot to rest, being constantly excited by neons, colourful lights, banners, store displays that are literally pouriong on the streets. The commotion and noise are incredible, but if you are visiting Tokyo, it is definitely a place that should not be missed during your journey through the Metropolis of Planet Jaapan. Below is a photo of a massive billboard, announcing a sales campaign for a new anime series. Buy a print of this photo at my store on Fine Art America
When I went to Odaiba, a district of Tokyo that was built on reclaimed land, I planned on photographing the panorama of Tokyo from the Rainbow Bridge, which is a bridge that connects Odaiba with mainland Tokyo. You can see it on the below picture on the right hand side. By chance, while trying to find my spot on the bridge, I met another photographer and we started to chat. He told me that there will be a short display of fireworks over the Odaiba beach. When I checked on the internet I found out that it was the last day of fireworks display. It was a really cold and windy night, and I was frozen stiff after spending about two hours or so on the windy bridge, but I decided to wait up till 7pm and see the show, and perhaps take a few pictures. Fireworks are not that hard to photograph, but it gets trickier when you want to inlclude the scenery, while capturing an interesting explosions of fireworks in one frame. I was lucky to capture a few good shots, or so I believe, and here is one of them. I might be adding some Japanese calligraphy to it, not sure. What do you guys think? Buy a print of this photo at my store on Fine Art America
There is something about Mt. Fuji that when you start looking at it, you just cannot stop staring. Perhaps it is its symbolic loneliness, loneliness of a peak above everything else, a solitude we long for, but also a desired cocoon of originality. It could also stand for aspiration, something that one looks up to. Or maybe it is all about its geometrical and symmetrical shape, so unusual in nature. Fuji is like a symbol of the most secret and amazing dreams that should not be fulfilled. When you get close to it, Fuji loses all its charm. It is nothing but a steep volcanic ash desert. But when you look from afar, from a place where Mt. Fuji is beyond your reach, it reveals its scenic beauty. Hopefully this year I will have anough time to take a few days and drive around Fuji, and photograph its various looks and moods, coming and going throughout the day and night. Below photo was taken from the 52nd floor of the Mori Tower in Roppongi Hills, central Tokyo. Buy the print of this photo at my store on Fine Art America
Our attention is easily drawn by contrasting images. They stun us, throw out off of the normal rhythm, and make us slow down and ponder. Last Monday was the Coming of Age Day in Japan, and so the streets of Ginza, a well-known district in central Tokyo, were packed with people. There was a lot of noise and commotion, people were running around like ants on fire, yet there was one person on the street, who was so far in his mind and heart from all that modern world craziness, that it simply knocked me out. It was a Buddhist monk, standing with his eyes semi-closed, whispering a words of Buddhist sutra. I felt calm nearly instantly only by looking at him. The more I looked at him, the more I realised that he stood for every single virtue that people tend to forget about in every-day rush. This photo was taken just outside one of the entrances to Ginza line metro in Tokyo. Japanese calligraphy, also of my authorship, is written in semi-cursive script, and it reads "hotoke" (佛), which means "Buddha". Buy the print of this photo at my store on Fine Art America
Ginza (銀座) - the central and most expensive area of Tokyo. Ginza is the district of banks, jewelers, brand stores, coffe shops, boutiques, and exclusive restaurants. It is a unique place with unique atmosphere. Originally, the area that Ginza was built on was a swamp. Today, it is the heart of the largest metropolis in the world. It is hard to believe once you are there. I really enjoy visiting Gizna with my camera, as there is always something interesting to photograph. The below picture is a night shot of the famous Ginza crossing, and the landmark Ricoh building. As a trivia I will tell you that just behind the Ricoh building is the Tokyo store of the famous Kyuukyodou (鳩居堂), Japanese paper (washi) and calligraphy supply store, that was found in 17th century, back during the Edo period. Very recently I had the honour to participate in Japanese calligraphgy exhibition in Kyuukyodou store. Buy the print of this photo at my store on Fine Art America
Today I decided to launch the Japan in Photography blog! I plan on publishing here short posts with pictures that hopefully will allow those of you who have interest in Japan, to travel together with me, through pictures and stories. Enjoy!
Coming of Age Day is know in Japanese as 成人の日 (seijin no hi), which literally means "adult's day". Every year, on the second Monday of January, Japanese young people celebrate their 20 years of age, which involves meeting with friends, dressing in traditional Japanese kimono, going out with family members, etc. This tradition is quite old, and it was initiated in early 8th century C.E. It is also one of those rare occasions when one may see girls wearing furisode (振袖), long-sleeved kimono, which is the most formal kimono for unmarried women. The below picture was taken at Ginza today. You can see three girls wearing formal, lavishly decorated kimono. |
Ponte Ryuurui (品天龍涙)
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