Sengen Jinja Torii & Fuji San Photo

Photographer’s Note

I was very surprised to see that this is the first upload ever on TE, for the town of Fuji Yoshida, one of several small towns in the Fuji Go Ko (5 lakes) district on the northern slopes of the dormant volcano, which last erupted in the 18th century. This is the torii gate that pilgrims climbing Mt Fuji must pass through, before they commence climbing Fuji San and enter Sengen-Jinja temple (which dates from 1615). Source: Lonely Planet Japan, pp 173

"In the days when climbing Mt Fuji was a pilgrimage and not an annual tourist event, a visit to this shrine was a necessary preliminary to the ascent"

The mountain had been totally hidden in cloud almost all of the previous day, & the clouds partially cleared early morning. As it was mid summer, there is no snow. Not sure if the 'ken' or province, is Yamanashi or Shizuoka?

nwoehnl, efigesta, tcht, Xalkida, syd1946, singuanti has marked this note useful

Critiques | Translate

nwoehnl (120) 2006-09-10 5:47

Nice idea to frame the mountain like this, Chris. The foreground ain't exactly a pretty sight but it is very genuine-looking for a Japanese resort type of town, I've seen very similar looks in spring in places like Nikko or Matsumoto. Good depth and even keeping the wide-angle leaning is not all that bad on this one.

Yamanashi prefecture, according to the Fuji Five Lakes area map in my Rough Guide Japan, is correct. Shizuoka is further to the south.

efigesta (12181) 2006-09-10 7:12

Hi Chris
great shot here, the light and the colors so amazing with a great pov
regards
manuel

tcht (7298) 2006-09-10 7:52

Hi Chris
Very nice documentary of the place. Quite strange atmosphere with no people there. I like the angle you've chosen, excellent depth and sharpness. Good little view of the mountain behind clouds.
TFS,
Cheuk Hin

ndb1958 (9249) 2006-09-10 8:11

Hi Chris,
a nice shot of the gate of the town. I'm confused by the fact that there are no human beings to see. Is it a goast town? Funny!
I like the clouds which are so deep.
Nice composition and colours,
Nino

Xalkida (11740) 2006-09-10 8:59

Hi Chris

Very nice framing for this city's entrace. Although I find the lighting somewhat harsh and the colors not so vivid.

syd1946 (17999) 2006-09-10 15:04

Hi Chris,
Interesting approach of the scene captured from a the right point.I like the documentary style.A very good one!

Have a nic week,

Thomas

Cormac (26461) 2006-09-10 19:25

Nice idea to place the mountain right under the arch, giving it a frame. The view up the street just leads our eyes straight into the frame, despite the clutter of the town. I wonder where all the people are? Great work!

singuanti (15240) 2006-09-10 21:27

Hi Chris. You've got a nice combination of depth and perspective. The sign helps add a dash of color. You had a great sky too.

jinju (14265) 2006-09-11 23:14

Hey Chris,

I saw this today on your laptop and you did a great job bringing out Fujisan inn pp. What I liked is what I told you this morning in Lotteria: the great framing of the mountain and the emptyness of the street.