Gate to the stars. A study of the connection between the Torii and the natural elements which surround it. The Torii is an iconic japanese structure belonging to Shinto shrines, it’s a gate that represents the passage from the secular world to a sacred one. In this photograph I’ve composed a scene in which the Torii can symbolize the boundary between night and day, a moment in time that allows to see our world together with the stars above it.
Miko of Nachi Taisha shrine in Kumano Kodo. A Miko is a “shrine maiden”, or priestess, who performs many tasks related to the daily activities of a shrine. The traditional attire is a red Hakama and a white Haori.
You can find the full blog post about the Kii peninsula at the following page: http://www.phoclab.com/wp/blog/kii-peninsula-sacred-nature-japan/
A couple of pilgrims visit the Nachi no Taki waterfall shinto shrine. More realistically they are tourists who want to live a more intense experience, anyhow they are dressed up in a very traditional way, as in the Heian era.
You can find the full blog post about the Kii peninsula at the following page: http://www.phoclab.com/wp/blog/kii-peninsula-sacred-nature-japan/
Contemplation. A detail of the Nachi no taki waterfall. This is a famous destination among travelers and japanese people as well, because of its beauty and its spiritual importance (being part of the “Nachi Taisha” temple area).
In this picture I’ve focused on the details, which are the soul of its beauty: the particular color of the stone, the complex and almost perfect vertical flow of the water, with its many small jumps, the way it creeps between the fissures and the presence of a pine tree which pushes out toward the water, all of this creates an almost poetic and timeless scene that brings to my mind the ancient japanese scroll paintings.
You can find the full blog post about the Kii peninsula at the following page: Kii peninsula: discovering the ancient natural and sacred heart of Japan
This photograph has been awarded with an Honorable Mention in the 2017 edition of the ND Awards: Contemplation – Category “Other”Nachi no Taki waterfall, near the important Nachi Taisha shinto shrine in Kumano Kodo, Kii peninsula. This is the tallest single-drop waterfall in Japan, and one of the most important because it embodies the spirit of Hiryu Gongen, a worshipped “kami” of Kumano Kodo. The view of the waterfall from its base and the roaring sound of the impact with the rocks makes you feel tiny and reveal the possible presence of the “kami” within this wondrous manifestation of the power of nature.
You can find the full blog post about the Kii peninsula at the following page: Kii peninsula: discovering the ancient natural and sacred heart of Japan
The Daimon-zaka is part of the Sankeimichi pilgrimage path in south-eastern area of the Kii peninsula; it is a monumental staircase made with cobblestones that climbs a slope of about 600 meters to reach the Kumano Nachi Taisha. The quiet atmosphere and the almost physical sensation of being embraced by the ancient forest establish some sort of spiritual bond with that natural place, arousing a pleasant peaceful feeling.
You can find the full blog post about the Kii peninsula at the following page: Kii peninsula: discovering the ancient natural and sacred heart of Japan
The dazzling beauty of the sun rising among the Hashigui Iwa filled my eyes and my heart, impressing in my mind a feeling of peace and joy; I’ll never forget that magical moment of a cold morning of autumn.
This image represents just a fraction of the beauty of that moment, nevertheless I’ve put all of myself in trying to catch a glimpse of that magic. It’s the result of the manual blending of five exposures (to capture the entire high dynamic range), using the luminosity masking technique to depict the scene as real as possible; I hope you like it.
The reason why I named this photo “Rising up to the light” is because I imagined to look at a group of marine titans who rise up towards the sun to catch its light and vital energy.
You can find the complete article about the Hashigui Iwa in Kushimoto at the following link: Hashigui Iwa: A unique seascape in Japan
Jizos autumn. This photograph is a second view of the previously shared “Hundred Jizos path”, but taken a bit later, when the sun was setting. The low rays of light made the colors of the Momiji leaves even more vibrant than during the day and the statues of the Jizos below seemed to take life, as if they were walking and talking each other. The colorful skullcaps popping out from below the Momiji leaves made this glimpse curious and fascinating.
The photo “jizos autumn” is part of the article about the Momijidani Park of Miyajima at the following link: http://www.phoclab.com/wp/blog/autumn-japan-miyajima-momijidani-park/
The path the runs through the Momijidani Park, in Miyajima, leads to the nearbies of the Shinomiya Shrine; there you’ll find an enchanting staircase of stone, surrounded by hundreds of Jizos. Those many smiling statues, dressed up with colorful skullcaps and scarfs, represent the Bodhisattvas who protect the travelers, children and women. In Autumn, some Momiji trees, with their vibrant red leaves, frame the staircase making the walk a delightful experience.
You can read the complete article about the Momijidani Park of Miyajima at the following link: http://www.phoclab.com/wp/blog/autumn-japan-miyajima-momijidani-park/
Light the fire. In the nearby of the first bridge of Momijidani Park there’s a deviation from the main path, along which you can find some traditional tea houses: they are surrounded by trees and low hedges and their natural colors make them almost mimetic. What catches your attention, anyway, is the feeble glow of the lanterns hanging below the corners of the roof: they pop out from the vegetation as you walk in the vicinity and make you enjoy the relaxing walk even more.
You can read the complete article about the Momijidani Park of Miyajima at the following link: http://www.phoclab.com/wp/blog/autumn-japan-miyajima-momijidani-park/
