Forge Explosion
Fusataro San is a master Japanese sword smith. Permission is rarely given to allow photography of this ancient craft in its indigenous setting. This explosion peppered my face and camera with white hot steel sparks.
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.
Party On Tokyo Bay
Party skiffs and yachts light up Tokyo Bay under the Rainbow Bridge. The Tokyo skyline shimmers in the distance.
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.
Blue Geisha In Temple
The profound serenity and beauty of this quite temple hidden in the bustle of Kyoto is difficult to put into words. The vibrant floral blue of this elegant geisha absolutely blooms amid the quiet earth tones of the moss and rock garden and smooth wooden planks of the temple.
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.
Fusataro Sparks
This master Japanese Sword smith pounds energy into the living steel.
Bamboo Forest
Dappled morning sunlight decorates this serene path through a majestic forrest of Bamboo and moss covered rocks.
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.
Sword Smith Silhouette
Traditional Japanese sword smiths keep the lighting in the forge dim and constant so that they can judge the temperature of the steel by the intensity and color of the metal's glow.
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.
Chidorigafuchi By Night
The moats surrounding the Imperial castle are lined with cherry trees and lit at night. Tokyo tower glows orange in the background. This difficult shot is a HDR composite several long exposures in low light.
Fushimi Inari Shrine
Fushimi Inari Shrine, founded 711 C.E., is a shinto shrine to the god of rice. This is the entrance to the 4 kilometer hike up Inari mountain through the famous Tori Gates.
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.
Power Hammer 2
Although later refining of the steel is all done meticulously by hand and hammer (see the hammer rack glowing behind him), this power hammer machine is used in the early processing of the tamahagane ingot.
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.
Glee
Tourist come from all over Asia to see the cherry blossoms. These charming girls laugh with glee under the willow and cherry trees.
Tokyo Tower In Blue
This is a closer shot of Tokyo tower with its blue lights afire. Daikanransha ferris wheel (the worlds second largest after the London Eye) spins away on the horizon to the right. The Rainbow suspension bridge over Tokyo Bay is also visible to the right.
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.
