Tea Ceremony ?, a photo from Saitama, Kanto

Photographer's Note

It is very rare for me to take out my camera; it is very rare for me to take photos of Japan nowadays. This is an image of two pairs of footwears for two ladies in kimono. I never saw them. But, the presences of them were well felt out side of a teahouse in the garden of one of temples. I saw the gétas and for the first time since long-time that I felt like taking photos of them. I don’t know why…….but they gave me a good feeling. Those two pairs of gétas are foreshadowing the ceremony to take place soon?

Thanks Lily for your advice.

Nobu.

ingvar, bj40, ikeharel, lakshmip1949 has marked this note useful

Critiques | Translate

ingvar (2106) 2011-05-04 9:59

Hello dear Nobu
as you well know I was absent for reasons of accident, now everything is fine. This week we will be here and I will see with pleasure your works. This, to me, is very interesting, the photography itself recalls the ancient symbol of Yin & Yang, in your own version with a total shadow. However, I tried to "liberate" these two objects from the shadow to see a little more background and I will propose to You in B / W version.
Hope to see you soon.
Have a nice evening!
I.

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eldancer1 (36343) 2011-05-05 9:34

Simple but effective composition and good documentation other people's tradition. I like the symbolism of half on sunlight and the other half in the shade. Great pov and dof with nice details. Well done, tfs.

yanastallerova (20) 2011-08-31 12:07

I want to response to the photographer's note. Excuse me if I am too bold. I wish that you had a camera around your neck all time, in the way that Italian women wear gold religious medallions everyday. Then, you would be at the ready to take a photo at any time. I am sad to think of all the photos that you will not take. Perhaps this is a selfish request on my part as I am thinking more about the happiness that your photos bring me than I am thinking of your situation.

Tea Ceremony? is lovely in it's quiet gentleness. You mentioned you never saw the ladies but could feel their presence. Thank for sharing that presence with us with this photo.

Yana

Yana

ikeharel (113385) 2011-11-17 3:58

Hi Nobu,
I suggest next time you ambush the ladies with those wooden-shoes, and take a snapped photo while they put them on...(my humor only...).
Very clear shot, interesting the division on shade's, and intriguing Japanees custom.
Regards
Ike

lakshmip1949 (19081) 2012-02-02 12:24

Hello Nobu,

What a lovely shot. I never walk with my shoes or slippers inside the house. We are taught from childhood not to wear them inside the house. There are several reasons. One of them is not to drag dirt from outside(we all slept on the floors, sat on the floors to have our lunch or dinner) and keep God's photos everywhere. Even now, I follow that and taught my children.

Yes,the sandals left outside the door indicate how many people are there and what gender they belong to. These sandals definitely belong to two ladies. You may never see them, but you can guess who they could be from these sandals.

I like this simple image with good management of light and shade, colors and sharpness.

With warm regards,

Lakshmi