Pix4Japan

2024-11-26

Moegi Bridge

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Moegi Bridge: A Scenic Crossing to Autumn Splendor
紅葉風景へのもえぎ橋

Located within a short 8-minute walk from Oku-Tama Station, Moegi Bridge, a pedestrian suspension bridge, offers stunning views of Hikawa Gorge, especially during autumn. Although a little late in the autumn season, the landscape of colors along the steep shores of the Tama River headwaters in the rural town of Okutama, Tokyo Prefecture, created a photogenic scene that immediately caught my eye.

Next year, I hope to visit a few weeks earlier in the season to catch the vidid reds and oranges that have mostly faded from this scene.

Moegi Bridge (もえぎ橋・Moegi-bashi), which opened in July 1998, made it easier for local hikers and campers to cross the Tama River and access the popular hot spring resort, Moegi-no-Yu.

This pedestrian bridge is similar to the other suspension bridges I traversed on this photowalk, all lightweight structures with no truss or girders, making them susceptible to strong winds. To counteract strong winds, many of the pedestrian bridges in Hikawa Gorge incorporate stretched cables attached to the deck to help control torsional vibrations.

When bridges sway too much, my border collie gets scared and refuses to cross with me. On this day, she confidently crossed all three suspension bridges without fear!

Location: Hikawa Gorge, Tokyo, Japan
Timestamp: 15:29・2024/11/26
Pentax K-1 II + DFA 28-105mm F3.5-5.6 + CP
28 mm ISO 100 for 1/0.6 sec. at ƒ/8

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Japanese Kura

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Old Money Architecture: Glimpse into a Traditional Japanese Storehouse
古い蔵—祖先の富の象徴

A traditional white Japanese kura, or storehouse, stands with its characteristic earthen walls, designed for fire prevention. The back proudly displays a decorative crest, visible to hikers on the Toke Trail, indicating the heritage of the family, who likely reside in the adjacent house. This charming scene is set deep in a serene mountain village in the westernmost part of Tokyo Prefecture, Japan.

A kura is a type of traditional storehouse built to protect valuables from fire, a significant risk for traditional Japanese wooden houses. The structure typically features a wooden frame covered with 20 to 30 cm thick mud daub, finished with a smooth coat of white or black plaster. The roof’s extended eaves protect the plaster from heavy rains.

Openings are minimal, with only a few small windows for security. Today, spotting a kura still in use is a testament to a family's ancesteral wealth, as it not only signified the need to protect valuables but also the resources to build and maintain such a robust structure.

Beyond valuables, the thick earthen walls helped maintain a stable internal temperature, making the kura ideal for storing rice, wine, sake, soy sauce, and similar goods.

The decorative crest on the back of the storehouse in my photo most likely reads "Yamada" (山田), translating to "mountain" + "rice paddy/field." I appreciate how the kanji for "yama" (山・mountain) is replaced with two mountain peaks above the character for "da" (田・rice paddy/field). Written vertically, it evokes an image of fields nestled below mountain peaks, reflecting the actual landscape along this part of the Toke Trail.

The surrounding land is farmland, suggesting that the Yamada family has deep roots in this mountain village, possibly deriving their name from ancestors who farmed these mountain slopes centuries ago.

Location: Hikawa Gorge, Tokyo, Japan
Timestamp: 14:59・2024/11/26
Fujifilm X100V with 5% diffusion filter
ISO 320 for 1/480 sec. at ƒ/2.8
Astia/Soft film simulation

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O-Jizo-Sama and Tsukimachi

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Jizo Bodhisattva & “23rd Night” Stone Tablet
地蔵尊と「二十三夜塔」

Leaving the Toke Trail, I climbed down from the nearby mountain into a small mountain farming village before traversing one more peak to reach the parking lot. It was here that I came across this very typical rural scene.

※ Bodhisattva Seishi (Tsukuyomi-no-Mikoto)

On the far left and right are stone engravings of Bodhisattva Seishi, a Buddhist deity believed to be the incarnation of the moon. It is said that the light of wisdom Bodhisattva Seishi possesses illuminates everything, freeing people from suffering and giving them strength.

In the Shinto tradition, this deity is also known as Tsukuyomi-no-Mikoto (月読尊) who is the god of the moon in Japanese mythology, and is also revered as the god of agriculture and fishing.

Second from the right is a stone lantern with an engraving I couldn’t decipher.

※ Jizo Bodhisattva (O-Jizō-sama)

In the middle are two Jizo Bodhisattva statues with red hoods. Affectionately known in Japan as O-Jizō-sama (お地蔵様) or Jizō-san, this beloved Japanese divinity is the patron of children, expectant mothers, firemen, travelers, and pilgrims.

O-Jizō-sama represents the Buddhist Bodhisattva who has vowed to delay his own Buddha-hood until all suffering souls are freed from the underworld. He is often depicted as a humble monk.

Throughout Japan, you can see these statues near cemeteries, roadsides, and hiking trails. They are frequently adorned with red caps and bibs, symbolizing prayers for the safety and well-being of children.

※ 23rd Night Monument

The primary object at this site is the stone tablet with the engraving of 「二十三夜塔」 (23rd Night Monument). This phrase references Tsukimachi (月待ち), a folk tradition where local villagers would gather to eat and drink while waiting for the moon to rise on the 23rd day of the lunar month to pray for a bountiful harvest.

Since the location was used for the village gathering of Tsukimachi, it became clear to me why there were two Bodhisattva Seishi and two O-Jizo-sama statues.

Tsukimachi was actively practiced from the Edo period (1603-1868) to the early Showa period (1926-1989), but it has almost completely disappeared in modern times.

In our day and age, smartphones and cameras are used to take commemorative photos when friends and communities gather to record tangible memories. However, during the heyday of Tsukimachi, instead of taking a photo, building a stone tablet was the way to commemorate such gatherings.

23rd Night Stone Tablet・二十三夜塔

Location: Hikawa Gorge, Tokyo, Japan
Timestamp: 14:50・2024/11/26
Fujifilm X100V with 5% diffusion filter
ISO 320 for 1/250 sec. at ƒ/2
Astia/Soft film simulation

O-Jizō-sama Statue・地蔵尊

Location: Hikawa Gorge, Tokyo, Japan
Timestamp: 14:52・2024/11/26
Fujifilm X100V with 5% diffusion filter
ISO 320 for 1/300 sec. at ƒ/2.2
Astia/Soft film simulation

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Red and Orange

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Autumn Splendor: Vibrant Reds and Oranges on the Toke Trail

奥多摩の登計トレイル：鮮やかな赤とオレンジの紅葉

This intimate shot of a small canopy of vibrant reds and oranges in full autumn splendor frames a narrow footpath along the Toke Trail, which winds through the lush forest of Hikawa Gorge in Tokyo Prefecture, Japan.

The trail spans about 1.3 km, with a gentle elevation change of 50 meters, making it accessible for elderly visitors and children. Additionally, approximately 420 meters of the trail is barrier-free, allowing easy access for visitors using wheelchairs or young mothers with baby strollers.

The Toke Trail holds the distinction of being Japan's first therapy-only trail, thoughtfully designed with small facilities to support various wellness activities such as yoga, zazen, self-counseling, and hydrotherapy. Sections of the trail are adorned with freshly scattered fragrant hinoki wood chips, their soothing aroma filling the air and enhancing the tranquil experience.

The trail also features small open-roofed shelters, initially intended for bird watching, which double as shaded rest spots offering scenic views.

Throughout Hikawa Gorge, most slopes are blanketed by dense sugi forests, with only occasional patches of autumn color dotting the landscape. In this particular shot, a cluster of shrubs with vibrant reds and oranges stood out strikingly. By filling my frame with these eye-catching hues, I aimed to convey the intensity of the beautiful colors I encountered during this photowalk.

Location: Hikawa Gorge, Tokyo, Japan
Timestamp: 13:51・2024/11/26
Pentax K-1 II + DFA 28-105mm F3.5-5.6 + CP
40 mm ISO 100 for 1/10 sec. at ƒ/11

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Lone Yellow Ginkgo Tree

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Golden Solitude: The Splendor of a Lone Ginkgo
奥多摩の秋風景：輝くひとりイチョウ

After completing my photowalk along the Nippara and Tama Rivers through Hikawa Gorge, I emerged from the mountain trail and stumbled upon a small village. There, I discovered a large athletic park where locals gathered to play baseball and soccer.

From the park, I had a clear view of a lone ginkgo tree, its vibrant autumn colors standing out against a backdrop of lush evergreens on the opposite hillside. This picturesque scene was set in the quaint mountain town of Okutama, nestled in Tokyo Prefecture, Japan.

Location: Hikawa Gorge, Tokyo, Japan
Timestamp: 13:09・2024/11/26
Pentax K-1 II + DFA 28-105mm F3.5-5.6 + CP + 2-stop graduated ND filter
80 mm ISO 100 for 1/20 sec. at ƒ/8

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Tama River

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Autumn Hues and Emerald Greens in Hikawa Gorge
氷川渓谷の紅葉と印象的なエメラルドグリーン

In the crisp autumn air, the upper reaches of the Tama River wind through Hikawa Gorge in the northwesternmost part of Tokyo Prefecture, Japan. Unlike the lower reaches of the river, where decades of industrial pollution necessitated extensive restoration, the headwaters here remain pristine—a haven for fishing, camping, and hiking.

As I crossed the Hikawa-Kobashi pedestrian suspension bridge, my eyes were immediately drawn to the lazily flowing emerald waters below. The vibrant green river, framed by a verdant shoreline, rugged wet stones, and slopes adorned with bright autumn leaves, created a captivating scene. The tranquility of the gorge, coupled with the stunning autumn colors, made this afternoon photowalk an experience to savor—a perfect reminder of nature's enduring beauty.

Location: Hikawa Gorge, Tokyo, Japan
Timestamp: 12:35・2024/11/26
Fujifilm X100V with 5% diffusion filter
ISO 3200 for 1/250 sec. at ƒ/11
Astia/Soft film simulation

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Hikawa Kobashi Bridge

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Tranquil Autumn Stroll in Hikawa Gorge
氷川渓谷の静かな秋散歩

Located in the Hikawa Gorge, the Hikawa-Kobashi Bridge (氷川小橋; Hikawa-Kobashi) is a pedestrian suspension bridge just a short walk from Oku-Tama Station on the Ome Line. It offers unobstructed views of the emerald green waters of the Nippara River (日原川; Nippara-Kawa) and the lush slopes of the ravine, blanketed in evergreen trees and vibrant autumn foliage.

Situated in the northwesternmost part of Tokyo Prefecture, the Hikawa Gorge (氷川渓谷; Hikawa-Keikoku) is only a 90-minute drive from central Tokyo via the Chuo Expressway.

Visiting on an overcast weekday, my border collie and I enjoyed the serene river scenery and autumn foliage in peaceful solitude, with only the rustling trees, the gentle rambling of the river below, and the sound of our footsteps on the bridge and gravel breaking the calm.

Location: Hikawa Gorge, Tokyo, Japan
Timestamp: 12:17・2024/11/26
Fujifilm X100V with 5% diffusion filter
ISO 3200 for 1/140 sec. at ƒ/11
Astia/Soft film simulation

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