ikasumi

Ryoan-ji, Kyoto

2011-09-03T23:28:00.005+09:00

From the famed World Heritage site. This garden was created in the late 15th Century. It's not just the rocks, but the spaces between them. Far from an ideal photography subject, actually (you need to be there). But that doesn't stop one from trying.

Karesansui, Kyoto

2011-05-07T18:27:00.001+09:00

Spillage

2011-05-05T16:43:00.002+09:00

o-hanami, 2011

2011-04-11T21:58:00.001+09:00

In the background is the Nippon Budokan.

o-hanami, 2011, Kitanomaru

2011-04-11T21:57:00.004+09:00

A subdued and reflective, but still beautiful, cherry blossom season.

Bedroom Wall

2011-03-27T22:34:00.001+09:00

Since 11 March, 2011, 2:46PM.

Lone Stone

2010-10-10T14:07:00.005+09:00

From the Southern Garden at Kyoto's Tofuku-ji, famously laid out by Mirei Shigemori in 1939.

Ikasumi has an undisguised weakness for dry landscape gardens (karesansui). They are fascinating aesthetically, culturally, and historically, with shifting emphases through various eras. One way to think of the garden is that it concentrates all the energy and size of a mountain into a stone. Another is somewhat opposite - that the design tries to achieve an expansion to represent all of the universe. This was the trend in the Heian period (794 - 1185) when art and literature were emphasized by the aristocracy. The Kamakura era (1185 - 1333), saw increasing influence of zen meditation on gardens. Stones became less representational and more abstract. The much celebrated garden at Ryoan-ji is the best known example of this. In Japanese the phrase, yohaku-no-bi (literally, "the beauty of extra white") refers to the beauty of empty but articulate space, a recurring theme in Japanese aesthetics.

Later, the setting of stones transferred from priests to an underclass of laborers called sensui kawaramono. This is normally translated as "riverbed people", but the fact that mono actually means "thing" gives us an indication of their status as societal outcasts. In many cases Zen priests helped the kawaramono by teaching them about gardening and its history in detail, and many of the students became highly skilled. These outcasts created what are now considered some of Japan's most enduring and best loved works of art, though their contributions have gone largely unrecognized. Reportedly two kawaramono have their names carved into the hidden backside of one of the rocks at Ryoan-ji.

The use of sand or gravel to represent water began in the 15th Century. The designs of Mirei Shigemori, the great (and controversial) modernizer of stone gardens, often included gravel to achieve such an effect.

Geometry

2010-10-10T13:59:00.002+09:00

From Tofuku-ji in Kyoto, in the rain (the valleys between raked stones became like small parallel canals).

Wall

2010-10-08T23:59:00.002+09:00

Shimokitazawa Awa Odori 2010

2010-08-23T22:49:00.000+09:00

Drummer, Shimokitazawa Awa Odori

2010-08-23T22:44:00.001+09:00

Dancing in Geta, Shimokitazawa Awa Odori

2010-08-23T22:10:00.000+09:00

Shimokitazawa Awa Odori

2010-08-23T22:08:00.000+09:00

Awa Odori, Shimokitazawa

2010-08-23T22:00:00.004+09:00

It's that time of year again!

Pontocho Dori, Kyoto

2010-02-17T21:49:00.000+09:00

Kyoto

2010-02-17T21:48:00.002+09:00

Pontocho Dori.

Froth

2010-02-11T22:35:00.002+09:00

Ripples

2010-02-11T22:35:00.001+09:00

Border

2010-02-11T22:32:00.001+09:00

Karesansui

2010-02-11T22:30:00.002+09:00

...on a frosty morning.

Louis Louis

2010-01-06T00:57:00.005+09:00

Mecca of conspicuous consumption in Omotesando.

Buddha's Feet, Kuhonbutsuji

2010-01-06T00:57:00.003+09:00

For about 600 years after the Buddha's death it was not permitted to make images of him. One way of honoring him, then, was with a relief representing his footprints, as shown here. Eventually the floodgates opened, of course, and now we can enjoy Buddha statues in many temples.

Kuhonbutsuji

2010-01-06T00:56:00.001+09:00

Kuhonbutsuji

2010-01-06T00:53:00.007+09:00

This beautiful temple in Setagaya ku was built in the early part (1678) of the Edo Era, where Okusawa Castle once stood.

Omisoka

2010-01-06T00:44:00.001+09:00

Straphangers

2010-01-06T00:33:00.002+09:00

Stair

2010-01-06T00:33:00.001+09:00

Winter Sunset

2010-01-06T00:27:00.000+09:00

Shinjuku

2010-01-05T07:37:00.002+09:00

Evening, Shinjuku

2010-01-05T07:37:00.001+09:00

Rickshaw Driver, Kawagoe

2010-01-05T07:35:00.002+09:00

Rakan Statue, Kita-in, Kawagoe

2010-01-05T07:34:00.000+09:00

Rakan Statue, Kita-in

2010-01-04T22:28:00.002+09:00

The symbol of Buddhism is shown on the tablet.

Rakan Statue, Kita-in, Kawagoe

2010-01-04T22:27:00.001+09:00

540 Rakan Statues, Kita-in, Kawagoe

2010-01-04T22:25:00.004+09:00

These 540 statues at the temple of Kita-in were carved between 1782 and 1825.

Bell Tower, Kawagoe

2010-01-04T22:18:00.003+09:00

From the so-called "Little Edo", in Saitama ken, here is the bell tower ("Toki no kane" or Bell of Time).

Stone Lantern, Ise Jingu

2010-01-04T15:03:00.002+09:00

Sub-Shrine at Geku, Ise

2010-01-04T15:00:00.000+09:00

This opportunity to visit Ise was unplanned, so only a simple pocket camera was at hand. This is certainly a place, however, where simplicity feels like a virtue.

In the Village at Naiku, Ise

2010-01-04T14:58:00.000+09:00

Sub Shrine - Geku (Ise Jingu)

2010-01-02T23:56:00.005+09:00

Jingu was established to honor the goddess Amaterasu-omikami, who figures prominently in Japan's creation myths. Her mirror is said to be held at Naiku, the most sacred of the sites.

Perhaps the most unique aspect of Ise is the tradition surrounding its buildings. These were first erected about 2000 years ago, using the methods of the time with only notched and inlaid wood with no nails. Every 20 years, the buildings have been fastidiously dismantled (the wood is recycled for distribution to other shrines throughout Japan) and rebuilt using the same traditional methods. This serves to preserve the techniques by passing them down among generations, but is also consistent with the celebration of impermanence that plays such a profound role in Japanese philosophy and aesthetics. So much for the great western cathedrals, seemingly built to last forever (in defiance of nature).

Common people are not permitted to lay eyes on the most sacrosanct of the buildings, and no photos are allowed near them. Some of the more minor shrines like the one shown here, however, demonstrate the same style of roof.

At Ise Jingu

2010-01-01T16:04:00.004+09:00

Ise Jingu (known simply as "Jingu") is considered Japan's holiest Shinto shrine. It consists actually of a series of 125 shrines, spread over a wide area around Ise, in Mie Prefecture. The two main locations for pilgrimage are Naiku and Geku. This tree is near the entrance at Naiku.

Out With the Ox, In With the Tiger

2009-12-31T11:29:00.004+09:00

This local garage held a couple of truck-sized signs in preparation of the New Year celebrations, as Tokyo prepares to say goodbye to the Year of the Ox and usher in the Year of the Tiger. Top story of the year here? It has to be the DPJ finally ousting the LDP as ruling party, breaking what had been a stranglehold on power that lasted more than 50 years (save for one anomalous 9-month period in 1993-94). The runner up would be the story that largely led to the change of government - the horrible economic situation. Nobody will forget the tent city in Hibiya park a year ago, as temporary workers were let go in droves, many became homeless, and the nation woke up to just how many people had been living on the edge for years. Fortunately, things have already improved a bit though for most a true recovery is yet to be realized. There will be many hopeful prayers tonight as the tiger is welcomed, and little regret in waving goodbye to the ox.

Awa Odori

2009-08-25T07:14:00.002+09:00

Awa Odori 2009

2009-08-25T07:14:00.001+09:00

Inward

2009-08-24T21:23:00.002+09:00

Ginza Wako and Mitsukoshi

2009-08-24T21:21:00.001+09:00

Daienji

2009-08-24T21:20:00.000+09:00

Butterfly, Daienji

2009-08-24T21:19:00.002+09:00

Companion, Daienji

2009-08-24T21:15:00.006+09:00

Nature's gifts are with us every day but it's seldom we receive one that seems personalized. As the solitary photographer surveyed the statues on a quiet morning this butterfly alighted on one. A few hurried shots were taken before it became clear that the little visitor had no intention of leaving soon. It said, "take your time; that's why we're here," and posed for a good, long while.

Daienji

2009-08-24T21:15:00.002+09:00

Daienji

2009-08-24T21:06:00.005+09:00

Ikasumi makes a return visit to this unique temple, a place worth visiting every few months to cleanse the soul.

Bridge and Platform

2009-08-24T21:06:00.002+09:00

Bridge

2009-08-24T21:04:00.001+09:00

Not the first time photographing the bridge at Ochanomizu, but it seems to appear in different ways at each viewing.

Japan Politics 101

2009-05-17T16:44:00.005+09:00

Recently Ichiro Ozawa, leader of the opposition DPJ (Democratic Party of Japan), was forced to step down in the wake of a funding scandal. Yesterday his successor was selected - not by ordinary party members (which would in fact be democratic) but by its diet members who number a little over 200. The contenders were Yukio Hatoyama (right hand man of the ousted Ozawa) and Katsuya Okada (popular and said to have a "clean image"). In an article in Friday's Japan Times, a day before the election, the following was written:

"While Okada is favored in national opinion polls and is gaining support from the anti-Ozawa faction, Hatoyama reportedly has the backing of Ozawa and his followers, placing Okada at a likely disadvantage."

In other words, what the people want is less important than what the party bigwigs - even disgraced ones - want. Not only did this tell us how the voting would go, it revealed much about the way of politics in this country. The governing party, the LDP (Liberal Democratic Party, which is in fact neither) has been in power by itself or in coalitions almost continuously for more than fifty years. The DPJ styles itself as the party of "change".

Hatoyama, by the way, is the grandson of a former prime minister.

Oh, the photo of passing cars was taken in the Nagatacho - Akasaka area, near the diet building and Prime Minister's residence. The water changes but the river stays the same, year after year.

Prospect

2009-03-08T21:39:00.001+09:00

Quaff

2009-03-08T16:03:00.002+09:00

Artery

2009-03-08T16:00:00.001+09:00

Closing Time

2009-03-08T15:59:00.001+09:00

Wet Cobbles

2009-03-06T18:07:00.001+09:00

Bird's Eye View - Ginza

2009-02-11T10:43:00.002+09:00

Cat's Eye View

2009-02-11T10:37:00.001+09:00

Self-Portrait, Walled

2009-01-03T10:05:00.001+09:00

Yes There is Some Lens Flare

2009-01-03T10:02:00.002+09:00

Space Saving Ideas

2009-01-03T10:00:00.004+09:00

Eloquent testimony to the high cost of land in Central Tokyo.

Countdown

2008-12-29T22:35:00.008+09:00

The frequently questionable Yomiuri Shimbun published its list of the 10 biggest news stories for Japan in 2008. What was #1? The random attack in Akihabara in which a young man murdered 7 people and sent 10 others to the hospital? The Nikkei's plunge to its lowest level since the bubble amid an overall economic meltdown? The sudden resignation of the prime minister? Or perhaps his successor's refusal (citing the aforementioned economy as an excuse) to schedule elections as planned, despite his anemic 20% approval rating? How about Japan's Nobel Prize winners for Physics?
As it happened, none of the above were deemed worthy. The "winner" was the poisoned gyoza story, which dominated the news cycles during the early part of 2008. Though the number of people who claimed to feel ill was well above a thousand, it was only ever proven that 10 were poisoned. Among these 9 were hospitalized and nobody died. Biggest story of the year?
Ikasumi would have chosen the Akihabara tragedy, and then perhaps the economy. But the former only ranked 5th and the latter 8th on the Yomiuri's list. The Akibahara case was, alas, just the most bloody example in a recent trend of violent crimes (often random) by Japanese. But perhaps it is easier to emphasize threats from outside than to ask tough questions about what is happening to one's own country and countrymen.

Underside

2008-11-07T23:41:00.002+09:00

Rendezvous

2008-11-07T23:40:00.001+09:00

The Way

2008-10-26T21:30:00.002+09:00

Tangle, Shinjuku

2008-10-26T21:13:00.002+09:00

Wildlife, Marunouchi

2008-10-26T21:10:00.003+09:00

Part of the cow sculpture exhibition on the sidewalks of Central Tokyo.

Passage, Ochanomizu

2008-10-26T21:08:00.000+09:00

Ghost in the Machine

2008-10-26T21:06:00.001+09:00

Takadanobaba

2008-10-26T21:03:00.001+09:00

Buddha and Trees, Meguro Fudo

2008-10-26T20:57:00.004+09:00

This temple is near Daienji.

Statues, Daienji

2008-10-26T20:56:00.001+09:00

Statue, Daienji, Meguro

2008-10-26T20:55:00.002+09:00

Rakan Statue, Daienji

2008-10-26T20:55:00.001+09:00

Rakan, Daienji

2008-10-26T20:54:00.002+09:00

Daienji

2008-10-26T20:47:00.003+09:00

Daienji temple, on a quiet side street in Meguro, is where a fire broke out back in the 1700s. It spread and ended up burning about one third of Edo. The temple was deeply shamed as a result, and as atonement 500 statues of Buddha followers were installed. With their often pained, contorted faces, these statues mutely represent the suffering victims of the fire.

Gohyaku Rakan (500 Followers of Buddha)

2008-09-16T23:59:00.000+09:00

Stripe, Yurakucho

2008-05-07T07:20:00.001+09:00

Evening Silhouettes

2008-02-24T20:00:00.003+09:00

Closing time at the National Arts Center, Roppongi.

Someone to Lean On

2008-02-24T19:57:00.002+09:00

Rose

2008-02-20T07:19:00.000+09:00

Shadow

2008-01-06T21:36:00.000+09:00

The subtle curves of this pipe on the side of a building cast a striking and disturbing shadow on a recent morning. Such things can easily go unnoticed, and most often do. This one is passed by the photographer nearly every day, but previously was never seen with the light striking in just this way.

Koenji Awaodori (5)

2008-01-05T17:24:00.001+09:00

Koenji Awaodori (4)

2008-01-05T17:23:00.001+09:00

Koenji Awaodori (3)

2008-01-05T17:19:00.001+09:00

Koenji Awaodori (2)

2008-01-05T17:18:00.000+09:00

Koenji Awaodori (1)

2008-01-05T17:08:00.000+09:00

Koenji Awaodori is the largest awaodori in Tokyo, and the second largest in all of Japan. Well over 100,000 people come to watch more than 12,000 dancers perform in the streets of Koenji in western Tokyo. This festival takes place in the last weekend of August, so clearly ikasumi has been a laggard of late when it comes to posting photographs.

Yotsuya, Night Street

2007-12-01T22:14:00.001+09:00

Night Platform, Yotsuya

2007-12-01T22:02:00.000+09:00

"My remembrance, or memory, of Maizuru stems not from a direct image I saw, but from a screen image, a copied image. On such fragmented images I accumulate more and more times and landscapes. Things stemming from others' memories implant some fragments in myself which, through an intermediation of experience, imagination and time, gradually turn into my reality. Isn't this what Proust means when he talks about "all the memories of the world"?
- Moriyama Daido

"Looking at a snapshot was nothing but overlapping of the photographed past time and present looking time. Beyond the "snapshot" it is now multiplied with the infinite lifetimes of the reanimated and individualized selves. Photographer and beholder, both will be woven into the "multiplicity" of photography.
- From an essay on Moriyama Daido, by Shimizu Minoru

Gambatteiru

2007-11-25T08:09:00.000+09:00

Tokyo International Women's Marathon.

Ginza Shoppers

2007-11-18T20:16:00.000+09:00

The Christmas rush begins.

On Chuo Dori, Ginza

2007-11-18T20:15:00.000+09:00

West Shinjuku, Night

2007-10-20T09:49:00.000+09:00

Shinjuku (West) Skyscrapers at Night

2007-10-20T09:48:00.001+09:00

Night in Shinjuku (East)

2007-10-20T09:46:00.000+09:00

Sculpture and Skyscrapers, Shinjuku

2007-08-18T10:35:00.001+09:00

Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building

2007-08-18T10:33:00.001+09:00