Japan
Within the WithinNANZENJI TEMPLE, KYOTO, JAPAN
This is a view down a portion of a large brick raised aqueduct that passes through the grounds of the Nanzenji Temple. The temple entrance is at the other end of the openings, through the trees. I loved the idea of going deeper and deeper in preparation for entering the temple. The colors have only been enhanced, not added.
This is a view down a portion of a large brick raised aqueduct that passes through the grounds of the Nanzenji Temple. The temple entrance is at the other end of the openings, through the trees. I loved the idea of going deeper and deeper in preparation for entering the temple. The colors have only been enhanced, not added.
Web of LifeKYOTO, JAPAN
I marvel at the Japanese aesthetic and gardeners skill with pruning and cultivation. Rather then bending nature to the gardeners will, they partner with nature, working with a tree or a plant or a landscape’s natural tendencies and highlighting that for the viewer’s enjoyment. Tree shapes are balanced in such an organic, natural and elegant way, one can’t help but be inspired and touched by it’s beauty
I marvel at the Japanese aesthetic and gardeners skill with pruning and cultivation. Rather then bending nature to the gardeners will, they partner with nature, working with a tree or a plant or a landscape’s natural tendencies and highlighting that for the viewer’s enjoyment. Tree shapes are balanced in such an organic, natural and elegant way, one can’t help but be inspired and touched by it’s beauty
Water BearerKYOTO & EAGLE LAKE, CALIFORNIA
It was pouring rain as it does in Kyoto and yet this temple guardian continued with his daily water ritual. Actually the rain enhanced the situation for me so I added a shot through the water to the river bottom at Eagle Lake. For me, it was all about honoring the sacredness and beauty of water.
It was pouring rain as it does in Kyoto and yet this temple guardian continued with his daily water ritual. Actually the rain enhanced the situation for me so I added a shot through the water to the river bottom at Eagle Lake. For me, it was all about honoring the sacredness and beauty of water.
SanctuaryROAN-JI TEMPLE, KYOTO, JAPAN
The number of temples in and around Kyoto were too many to visit in the two weeks I gave to the effort. They are hugely popular tourist’s destinations with constant crowds. However, once I could separate the energy of the crowds from that of the temples, their grounds, gardens, and the magnificent old statues and carvings found throughout, I could feel the sense of Sanctuary that these once very sacred and revered temples provided for those who either lived there or visited.
The number of temples in and around Kyoto were too many to visit in the two weeks I gave to the effort. They are hugely popular tourist’s destinations with constant crowds. However, once I could separate the energy of the crowds from that of the temples, their grounds, gardens, and the magnificent old statues and carvings found throughout, I could feel the sense of Sanctuary that these once very sacred and revered temples provided for those who either lived there or visited.
Red LanternKYOTO, JAPAN
Sacred GroundKYOTO, JAPAN
Saved by the BellKYOTO, JAPAN
I had heard that there used to be thousands of these large bronze 10’-15’+ bells all across Japan. Most were melted down for munitions during the war. Bells in the temples were rung as a call to prayer. Between their beauty and their haunting tones, they still hold for me a reminder of the sacred.
I had heard that there used to be thousands of these large bronze 10’-15’+ bells all across Japan. Most were melted down for munitions during the war. Bells in the temples were rung as a call to prayer. Between their beauty and their haunting tones, they still hold for me a reminder of the sacred.
Tea TimeMT. KOYA, outside OSAKA, JAPAN
Mount Koya is the center of Shingon Buddhism. A small, secluded town with 117 temples has developed around the sect’s headquarters on Koyasan’s wooded mountaintop. Used to an electric kettle at home to brew my tea, I envied this old-school, open-fire approach found on in the mountain town.
Mount Koya is the center of Shingon Buddhism. A small, secluded town with 117 temples has developed around the sect’s headquarters on Koyasan’s wooded mountaintop. Used to an electric kettle at home to brew my tea, I envied this old-school, open-fire approach found on in the mountain town.
Temple Torri
The GuardianKYOTO, JAPAN & DONNER PASS, CALIFORNIA
Foxes in Japan are considered a powerful ally in warding off evil influences. They are typically placed at the entrance gates to Shinto shrines to protect that which is within. Considered supernatural beings that served as messengers of the Shinto gods, these faithful guardians’ magical abilities increased with age. Here the fox was combined with the strength and beauty of granite from Sierra Mountains.
Foxes in Japan are considered a powerful ally in warding off evil influences. They are typically placed at the entrance gates to Shinto shrines to protect that which is within. Considered supernatural beings that served as messengers of the Shinto gods, these faithful guardians’ magical abilities increased with age. Here the fox was combined with the strength and beauty of granite from Sierra Mountains.
Thru Thick n ThinKYOTO, JAPAN
Questionable IntentionsKYOTO, JAPAN
This carefully constructed garden path is located on the five-acre estate of Japanese silent movie star, Denjiro Okochi (1898-1962), most famous for staring in Akira Kurosawa’s Sanshiro Sugata. The gardens surrounding Okochi’s villa are immaculately manicured and precisely laid out with, in many cases such as this, a touch of whimsy. I couldn’t resist taking the photo and questioning his intentions.
This carefully constructed garden path is located on the five-acre estate of Japanese silent movie star, Denjiro Okochi (1898-1962), most famous for staring in Akira Kurosawa’s Sanshiro Sugata. The gardens surrounding Okochi’s villa are immaculately manicured and precisely laid out with, in many cases such as this, a touch of whimsy. I couldn’t resist taking the photo and questioning his intentions.
Stimpson Woods as above WEBStimpson Woods in Bellingham, Washington was logged only once and many years ago. After logging, the owners wanted to protect the area for future generations so they made it into a preserve. Today it has the feel of old growth, steeped in wisdom, silence, and presence.
It’s ComplicatedROAN-JI TEMPLE: KYOTO, JAPAN
The branching of trees always reminds me of the branching within our own nervous system. It’s a theme I return to repeatedly. The Japanese take a similar delight in highlighting and cultivating unique branching in trees. However, after finishing this piece, I turned it upside down and decided I liked it better as a reference to roots. Roots and branches, two sides of the same coin. It’s can be viewed from either perspective.
The branching of trees always reminds me of the branching within our own nervous system. It’s a theme I return to repeatedly. The Japanese take a similar delight in highlighting and cultivating unique branching in trees. However, after finishing this piece, I turned it upside down and decided I liked it better as a reference to roots. Roots and branches, two sides of the same coin. It’s can be viewed from either perspective.
