This bust in Kokura Castle intrigued me. The man’s name was not possible to read, neither was the artist’s name. They were only written in Japanese, and there was nobody to ask about it.
I walked past him several times, as he was standing (if a bust can stand?) close to the entrance gate. Each time I felt someone was watching me. It was something with his eyes.
I know about (and have seen such paintings) Renaissance painters who could paint eyes that seemingly followed you, but sculptures? They say it is about how the iris is placed against the white part of the eye. Anyhow, he was creepy. And in my picture, the surrounding photographic blur mirrors the look in his eyes.
What are your thoughts? Have you experienced something similar? Has someone got a further explanation to the phenomenon?
When visiting the reclining Buddha, we passed by Acalanatha, the fierce Buddhist deity, god of fire, said to protect worshipers from disasters or harm. At his feet were numerous Buddha disciples. I was fascinated by their expressions – everyone different. Fantastic work.
Enjoy some of them from a closer position. They were covered in moss and lichen, but their faces and gestures were so very alive.
I hope you too found them fascinating!
Donna asks us: Have you ever thought about how photography connects the world? Nobody sees the world exactly the same way as you do. And, how you interpret this week’s challenge is up to you, you will find the interpretations are limitless.
For this post, I let my thoughts wander – and wonder. Humans are meant to be connected… but are we? In new ways, yes, but in the traditional ways? Today, connections are faster than ever, quicker than ever…but for some people, more difficult than ever. We read about young people who cannot, dare not contact another human being. Be it on the phone or face to face. Some can only write in anonymity in special forums. Or never. In Japan this problem is widely recognized and has been much discussed in media. They even have courses in how to meet someone in person, especially to find a partner.
In my opener is a night view from Tokyo Sky Tree. All those lights…do you feel curious about the souls behind them? Or, maybe you even feel alienated? Personally, I have a mix of those feelings.
On my trip to Japan, I traveled a lot by train, and Shinkansen is a superb way to connect over long distances. They are super fast and always on time – which we cannot say the Swedish trains are… The first ten times I checked my watch – and the trains arrived on the exact second and left on another exact second. Fascinating. Disciplined and clever people.
Connections, yes, that gives you many opportunities and broad possibilities for interpretation. It could be steps and stairs, tunnels, bridges, roads…but also a room where you are forced to meet people, like in trains, planes and buses.
When it comes to people, in my country we sit alone in the bus or train, not talking to each other…everyone reading or playing on the phone. In some countries, it is still easy to make contact with the person sitting next to you, but I am afraid those opportunities are dwindling. Sad but typical of our times. Let’s just put down our phones for a while – there is so much to gain from that. Real connections.
What is a selfie? Is it trying to find a connection to – yourself? Narcissism? I don’t know. In a beautiful park I found these ladies sitting at a table eating and talking…maybe about the loveliness of Spring? Connections like these might be the beginning of something pleasant and enriching…like friendship.
Talking about friendship – animals and pets remain close to our hearts – with unconditional love. It is easy to love when you know you will get the same back again… No disappointments. These two men were carrying their pets all day long. More than gladly they let me photograph them – but only them.
The connection to religion is mostly something happening inside me. In Fukuoka, we happened upon a 41 meter long bronze Buddha reclining in a forest. You could even walk into it. In many religions, a figure of the ”God” is the connection between people/deity/heaven.
As we arrived during the Golden Week, we saw many people hiring kimonos and other traditional clothes for the festivities. Manifesting the connection between old and new, and also traditions from different countries and cultures.
This was an American couple, where the lady was fully dressed and made up as a Geisha. We saw several couples doing this, sometimes the man too had hired a traditional costume.
Connections – can of course be completely literally meant – tangible, like these wires. Somehow I like that. It is a blur of course, but with meaning. And it’s old time…
Now we are looking forward to connecting with you throughout the week! Remember to use the Lens-Artists tag and/or link to Donna’s post.
Last week we left our comfort zone with John’s challenge, AI. But, it was an interesting conversation and the AI art was extraordinary well done. Whatever you think of AI – it is always good to learn something new!
Next week, Ritva will be our host – go see her fantastic site for more inspiration! Until then, sleep well and eat well – and stay in harmony with yourself so you can feel comfortable in your connections.
The Great Buddha Hall was founded in 738 by Emperor Shomu, and is now a UNESCO World heritage site. An impressive sight, and it didn’t get less impressive the nearer you came. There are numerous temples everywhere in Japan, so you must decide for only some, or you will get tired. And, you do want them to shine – each one of them!
The temple complex was once the world’s biggest wooden building, but is now only 2/3 of its original size. It is situated in Nara, the old capital, and I am sure you remember the deer, roaming free there.
To get a hint of its size, see the Shibi and explanation below.
Inside is the world’s biggest bronze statue of Buddha, 15m high, weighing 500 tons. Only the ears are 2.5 meter tall. The head is 5m, and sitting there since 1632. It has fallen off several times due to fires and other disasters over the many hundreds of years the statue has existed.
The Buddha is accompanied by two Bodisattvas and some grotesque guards. There was also a model of the whole complex as it once looked. The Great Buddha Hall to the right, and then some pagodas that is no longer there. I found the doors so very beautiful.
The giant pillars holding the structure, were of almost massive wood, and in one of them there was a ”shortcut” to Nirvana – that is, if you were small enough to go through it… This little girl and her brother managed after some wiggling – and patience. Lucky for the Japanese they are so slim!
In Japan there is much queueing, but people are very disciplined. As in everything. No big gestures and no high voices. The warning signs for people visiting Nara, certainly did not apply to anything but the deer!
An impressive day throughout. But thinking of how much we had to leave out because there was no time… I think I have never felt that harder than this time. Maybe it’s because I am getting older and know – that probably I will never visit Japan again. When we are younger, we feel there are so many options. But I am so grateful to have experienced all this. It still is a wonderful world.
Sofia leads a challenge this week, that is right up my alley – Floral. Again it is Japan that inspires me – and I urge you to visit Sofia’s beautiful site for more inspiration. Let’s have a celebration of flowers! Different angles, close-ups or from further away.
My visit to the Wisteria gardens in Japan is, without exaggerating, the most magical experience I have ever had. I cannot choose what to show from them, so the pictures are many. My words will be few instead – to make up for this multitude… I hope you will forgive me.
The Kawachi Fujien Wisteria Garden in Kitakyushu is unforgettable.
The garden is situated up in the mountains, and is difficult to reach – there are no trains or buses, you have to take a taxi.
I came for the Wisteria Tunnels. They have one 80 meter tunnel and one 100 meter tunnel, both with multicoloured effects.
The Golden Week with many vacation days make the Japanese esthetics go watching the flowers glow. And they were many, both men and women. And flowers. We did not see any other tourists there, except Japanese people. And us two from Sweden.
I was not disappointed – we had calculated the time rather well, and was lucky too – some of the flowers were over and some had just started.
From the outside the tunnels looked compact, and less ”alive”. ”It is the inside that counts”… as with us humans.
A little ICM and the tree is still alive and visible from the inside.
Some species were big and heavy, hanging in long threads of almost a meter’s length,
while others were shorter, or long and delicate ones.
In one of the tunnels there were double flowers – I didn’t know they existed until now.
With this B&W, I wanted to show you the feeling I had while walking up on the mountain to the flat area on top. It felt like snow at home, a calm winter’s day, with softly falling snowflakes in my face. You will see what I mean…
Time did not exist – walking, standing, sitting, contemplating – trying to take it all in and to keep it forever. Stay in the moment. And what a moment!
The old Wisteria trees were otherworldly, and I am still trying to understand I have really been there. Seen them. I would be happy if you stayed with me throughout, but I won’t blame you if you think this is just too much.
A Wisteria tree can grow very old – 150 years for the oldest ones here. If you look at their trunks, you will not doubt it.
People were oblivious of where or how they walked. Some visitors were very old, and some came in wheelchairs. We heard about people who came every year, even if it was so difficult a place to reach.
Beautiful people, beautiful minds – esthetics.
Snow or purple rain? Otherworldly.
Pink Wisteria was not that common in the park, but this giant was mindblowing.
Thank you so much if you have followed this far. These are but a few of all my photos from Kawachi. I will spare you the rest, but hope you have been inspired to some day visit Japan.
Thank you for last week’s many delicate answers to my challenge – I really enjoyed the variety and how useful this word it is! Next week it’s John’s turn to lead, so please visit his unique site for more inspiration.
Until then – celebrate!
Leya 
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