Old and decaying Shinto torii gates are incredibly striking, but in their own way, so are the religion’s priests.
Photographs from a small group of islands
Old and decaying Shinto torii gates are incredibly striking, but in their own way, so are the religion’s priests.
Coli says
Beautiful lighting
Lee says
Cheers. It’s such a wonderful setup. The light. The outfit. The pose. Been a long time since I’ve seen it, and I’ve been past so many times, but that made his appearance all the more special.
ellen says
This is stunning and just a little bit scary!
Lee says
Cheers. And nah, he was lovely. Honest!
Stephan says
Very cool shot. I love his expression! 🙂
Lee says
Thanks. It’s such a great scene, which makes it hard to go wrong really. And me too. Very hard to decipher, but that makes it all the more interesting.
YTSL says
I was expecting more intense than that, actually! He just looks inquiring: “What? You’re taking my photo?? Okay, whatever…” 😀
Lee says
Haha, I’ll tell him to try harder next time. Or maybe it’s me who needs to try harder!
It was a weird one to be honest. He was sat there trapped, so because of that, I felt compelled to ask permission — something I very rarely do. But thankfully when I lifted the camera he stared straight at me. Pretty much exactly what I wanted. Plus I could do it fairly certain in the knowledge that he wouldn’t break out a peace sign!
Tobias says
This image in a huge size, hanging in a museum, maybe even as the signature image on the exhibition pamphlets… ❤️
Have you ever had an exhibition or maybe thought of having one?
Lee says
Thank you very much. That’s really kind of you and very encouraging.
I haven’t no, although I have thought about it. There are a few small galleries in Tokyo that would be a good fit. Hopefully at some point in the future.
Tobias says
Ah, would be nice! Hopefully this will happen someday. Maybe even in Europe…say,…umm….Germany? 😀
Lee says
Thank you, and Europe would be even better!
john says
Hai, chiizu!
I can only imagine that for such symmetrical seiza he would either need assistants, starch or incredibly well practised flapping movements.
Lee says
Most definitely the latter. Shortly after I took the photo, he had to get up to speak to one of the other priests. I watched, and as he sat down there were a few brief flaps, some minor alterations, and that was that. Everything just as it was again.
cdilla says
Such a clear and crisp, and perfectly aligned/trimmed photograph.
Compared to the other monk the deployment is definitely superior. But the sigh on his face… not so much.
I like to think of them standing in a hole resting their arms on a cushion infront of them.
Lee says
Cheers. Yes, combine the two and it would be perfect. The stare/glare of the other fella is really something.
Oh, what they’d likely give for that setup eh? Practice makes perfect and all that, but sitting is that pose for a while must still be a struggle.
john says
Thank you. Folds that Marie Kondo would be well pleased with!
Lee says
She most certainly would!