Tag: Japan

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My Kind of Image

You know the word  “utsukushii” 美しい , in Japanese. The word is composed of Chinese letter that has a component of sheep.

I love this word. It’s as lovely and big as music of Vangelis, it’s innocent and pure like a white sheep lying down on green meadow. It is a word I want to use to describe women, the wonderful creatures who live on this planet despite it’s horrors.

I have always believed in feminine aspect of humans, even men are kind of women, you know, kind of like ocean. Like Björk would sing in her song Mutual Core, perhaps the planet itself is feminine, trying to manage the tectonic plates to counteract distance..

Our beautiful, beautiful, feminine planet..

Yes, I think Japan needs more mature imagery of femininity; and I predict that advertising machine in Japan is going to change to reflect the need. I think I’m speaking for everyone if I say; we are crying and dying for something more spiritual. The need is there and it’s huge.

I would like to be there when the change happens.

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Yokohama

I remember when I first came to Minato Mirai in Yokohama, about exactly ten years ago. For me that time, it was futuristic city, like you know, city from Blade Runner, but it had something that I felt Tokyo lacked.

Fresh air, upward space, or something like that.

I was really moved that time about the beauty of the Queen’s towers and sure the Landmark Tower, you know I really liked how you could see the sea and the urban landscape at the same time. It was something I had never experienced.

Now, ten years after, as I look at the landscape in my mind.. I feel it’s definably the place where I want to be, you know, like I feel I belong there. Most of my friends are there, and with them I feel I am becoming part of the image really quickly and naturally.

I suppose I’ve always liked this type of urban landscape, you know I was born in completely different surroundings, in rural area of Finland and I never knew how sea smells or sounds like. It was only when I came to Japan first time, I started to be fascinated about sea.

I love sea and all empty and dark things, you know, horizontal lines and something tiny among the waves, for me it’s so beautiful, like those things are always there, even though the sea might shift and change constantly.

 

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It was snowing this morning

I came to my wife’s hometown Ise couple of days ago. Since this is very local place and foreigners are a rare sight here, I must admit I have been a bit nervous sometimes to take a walk outside with my camera.

In some strange way, I have been worried I get into some trouble, or that people wouldn’t accept my existence. You know how closed agricultural society can be.

But this morning as it was snowing, I was greeted by elderly lady just nearby the house, you know she had warmest, most heartfelt smile, and she just kept talking about the weather, and asked how cold it gets in Finland. She treated me just the same as she would treat any  other resident of the town, and it was so natural. I felt warm by her kind words.

I realize that there’s no slightest reason to be nervous. People are same everywhere. I am always me and you are always you.

So don’t be afraid to go out and take a picture.

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Danger Coast

I went to Tojimbo cliffs in Fukui Prefecture some years back. The place was just as eerie as it’s reputation as famous place for suicides in Japan. The cliff’s shape was very unique and sharp rocks looked very lethal.

There are free telephone booths which can be used to call for help, should one find himself in desperate situation, and also people patrolling the area. All of these are organized by volunteer force.

Japan’s suicide rate is among the highest in the world. There are about 24,4 suicides per 100,000 people. Japan was ranked second in 2009, after Russia.

While mass media is thriving..

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Habu: "夢に向かって" "Towards the Dream"

A friend gave me this photo book by Habu some years ago. I love it. The skies and landscapes are amazing and meditative. My favorite photo is on page 24 in Taddert Morocco, where a bird is captured in godrays..

The photos are like small windows into another world. They are oddly vacant but yet hypnotic.

I am really interested to know more about the photographer. Here is what appears to be Habu’s official homepage.