Fusartaro Hammer Fist and Steel
This gentleman is a very rare master Japanese sword smith. He is a 25th generation smith, and legacy of the Kanefusa family tradition. His swords command extremely high prices, and are coveted by CEOs of large Japanese companies, very serious collectors and practitioners of Japanese martial arts. Permission to photograph him in Japan is a privilege rarely permitted. I like how the smiths fist and hammer are visible at the heart of the explosion in this photo. The smithy is kept dark so that the smith can judge the temperature of the metal by the intensity and color of its glow.
Tokyo Skyline In Orange
The electric fires of Tokyo shine in this nocturnal skyline shot. Tokyo tower (which changes color periodically) blazes orange tonight, and sets low hanging clouds ablaze with its orange glow. Taillights of the unending traffic resemble a river of lava in this time lapse shot. Daihatsu ferris wheel, the Rainbow Bridge and Tokyo bay are visible on distant right horizon.
Evening Maiko Under Cherry blossoms
As evening descends and the street lanterns ignite, this Maiko of Kyoto stops on a bridge under overhanging cherry blossoms. Note the skiff in the canal behind her. Note also how the Maiko (a younger Geisha) matches her makeup and kimono to the seasonal cherry blossoms.
Tori Gates By Night
The Tori gates at Fushimi Inari Shrine, form a 4 km path up Inari Mountain. Passing through the gates loosely represents passing from a material to a more spiritual world, and similar, though less elaborate, gates are often found at the thresholds of other temples. This photo really has a sense of a spiritual path, framed by the other worldly gates, traced by the lighting on the path and series of lanterns, and emerging into the inviting green world beyond.
Blowing Off Steam In Tokyo
The dichotomy of the Japanese business culture is difficult for westerners to comprehend. During the daylight, business interactions are formal, ridged, and ceremonial. As night falls on the electric city however, the alleys echo with karaoke songs serenaded by businessmen in 3 piece suits who stagger home while laughing freely with loosened ties.
Teacher
The master smith lectures on the qualities and composition of the Japanese sword. He made the quadrangular chalk drawings in front of him to represent cross sections of a katana. The internal geometries represent different areas within the blade that have different qualities, hardnesses, compositions etc. A lifetime must be spent to master this art, and I was fortunate to have a days lesson with this gifted man.
Kiyomizu-dera By Night
Kiyomizu-dera is an unspeakably stunning Buddhist temple founded in 798 in Kyoto. It is perched on a Mountainside overlooking the sparkling town of Kyoto below. A spotlight beam streaks across the sky above and right, while the early cherry blossoms begin to emerge below. Legend states that if you jump from the balcony seen in the photo, and survive, the rest of your life will be blessed and lucky.
Teacher 2
The master smith lectures on the qualities and composition of the Japanese sword. He made the quadrangular chalk drawings in front of him to represent cross sections of a katana. The internal geometries represent different areas within the blade with different qualities, hardnesses, compositions etc. Note also the still glowing steel ingot in the lower right corner. A lifetime must be spent to master this art, and I was fortunate to have a days lesson with this gifted man.
This gentleman is one of a few rare traditional master Japanese sword smiths. He is a 25th generation smith, and legacy of the Kanefusa family tradition. His swords command extremely high prices, and are coveted by CEOs of large Japanese companies, very serious collectors and practitioners of Japanese martial arts.