Pix4Japan

2024-10-15

Light Odyssey

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Light Odyssey: Reflections in Glass and Nature
《Light Odyssey》: 光学ガラスが織りなす森の光と影

"Light Odyssey," created by SHIMURAbros, is a permanent installation at the Pola Art Museum in Hakone, Japan. This striking artwork, crafted from copper, stainless steel, and optical glass, offers a captivating interplay of light and reflection.

SHIMURAbros (シムラブロス) is an artistic duo comprised of Yuka Shimura (b. 1976) and her brother Kentaro Shimura (b. 1979), who hail from Yokohama—a city I now call home. They have gained recognition from Japan’s Agency for Cultural Affairs and have exhibited their works in cities across the globe, including Tokyo, Singapore, Taipei, New York, Perth, and Vienna.

Regardless of the weather—whether it’s a bright, sunny day or an ethereal, foggy afternoon—Light Odyssey transforms its surroundings. The glass surfaces reflect brilliant patterns of light or cast moody, shadowy frames, offering an ever-changing and deeply satisfying visual experience.

Location: Hakone, Kanagawa Prefecture, Japan
Timestamp: 09:58・2024/10/15
Fujifilm X100V with 5% diffusion filter
ISO 160 for 1/20 sec. at ƒ/4.5
Velvia/Vivid film simulation

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Japanese Cobra Lily

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Vibrant Reds of the Japanese Cobra Lily in Hakone’s Woodlands
「箱根の森で見つけたカントウマムシグサ（関東蝮草）」

The natural trail winding through the woodlands around the Pola Museum of Art in Hakone, Japan, offers visitors not only stunning outdoor sculptures but also a variety of fascinating flowering plants that thrive alongside the artworks.

In this shot, I captured the vibrant seed pod of a Japanese cobra lily (Arisaema serratum・関東蝮草). This woodland perennial, known for its striking appearance, is a hermaphroditic flowering plant that produces these vivid red berries between mid- and late summer.

One intriguing fact I learned about this plant is that its roots are highly toxic—and it relies on flies for pollination! As someone with little knowledge of botany, I was genuinely surprised to discover that even the much-maligned fly plays a vital role as a pollinator. Am I the only one who didn’t know this?

Location: Hakone, Kanagawa Prefecture, Japan
Timestamp: 09:40・2024/10/15
Fujifilm X100V with 5% diffusion filter
ISO 160 for 1/250 sec. at ƒ/2.0
Velvia/Vivid film simulation

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Forest Bathing

Forest Bathing in Hakone: A Peaceful Moment with Dale-chan

「箱根で森林浴：愛犬との穏やかなひととき」

Growing up in landscapes of natural beauty—ranging from snowcapped mountains towering above the treeline to vast desert plains of sand and sagebrush, and canyons carved deep into the Earth’s crust—I took the calm serenity of nature for granted.

As I’ve grown older, however, the need to escape the sprawling concrete maze of Tokyo’s metropolitan area has become an essential prescription for my physical, mental, and spiritual well-being.

I recently learned there’s a term for this rejuvenating experience: “Forest Bathing,” or Shinrin-yoku (森林浴) in Japanese. This concept, embraced for decades, encourages immersion in nature to restore balance and harmony. To my surprise, it’s not just a Japanese practice—it’s recognized as a form of therapy and preventative care in countries like the U.S., Finland, South Korea, France, and the U.K.

In this photo, Dale-chan seems to capture the very essence of Forest Bathing. Resting contentedly on a rustic wooden bench along a nature trail near the Pola Museum of Art in Hakone, Japan, she is surrounded by lush greenery and dappled sunlight. Her peaceful expression reflects the serenity and joy that these natural surroundings provide—a reminder of the simple yet profound healing power of nature.

Location: Hakone, Kanagawa Prefecture, Japan
Timestamp: 09:34・2024/10/15
Fujifilm X100V with 5% diffusion filter
ISO 160 for 1/250 sec. at ƒ/2
Velvia/Vivid film simulation

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Blessed Dogs by Niu

Two black sculptures of frolicking dogs silhouetted against a bright, sunny morning. The sculptures are installed outdoors near a modern museum of concrete, glass, and steel, with large glass windows reflecting the artwork. Photographed in black and white.

Blessed Dogs by Niu: A Celebration of Joyful Motifs
ＮＩＵの世界観：箱根の作品『しあわせな犬』

The black sculpture, “Blessed Dogs,” by Niu, depicts two playful dogs leaping joyfully, their forms silhouetted against the sunlight. Installed at the Pola Museum in Hakone, Kanagawa Prefecture, Japan, this artwork reflects the artist's focus on creating motifs that celebrate the happiness of animals, while the dogs' lively poses evoke a sense of freedom and connection with nature.

The artist Niu, born in 1972 in Morioka, Iwate Prefecture, Japan, spent her early years in both Iwate and Saudi Arabia. At the age of 10, her family relocated to Tokyo, where she has lived ever since. She credits her grandmother, an accomplished artist, for nurturing her appreciation of painting and folk art during her childhood.

In 1994, Niu began a successful modeling career, appearing in magazines, advertisements, and on runways in fashion hubs such as Paris, Tokyo, and other Asian cities. Since 2002, she has showcased her talents as a multidisciplinary artist, presenting paintings, sculptures, installations, and photography. Her works often explore themes of nature, incorporating motifs of animals and plants.

Among her notable creations is the 2016 sculpture Blessed Dogs, which is displayed at the Pola Museum in Hakone, Kanagawa Prefecture, Japan. Accompanying this sculpture, Niu shares the following message:

“I hope that as many living things as possible can find freedom of mind and body and spend happy times—dogs, cats, wild animals, and humans alike.”

Location: Hakone, Kanagawa Prefecture, Japan
Timestamp: 09:17・2024/10/15
Fujifilm X100V with 5% diffusion filter
ISO 500 for 1/250 sec. at ƒ/8
Acros film simulation

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Sequoyah Aono, Dexter Head, 2019

A Fusion of Traditions: Sequoyah Aono’s Marble Self-Portrait「青野セクウォイアの自己肖像彫刻『デクスターヘッド』：ミケランジェロに触発された美」

Sequoyah Aono, a New York-based sculptor, has a unique multicultural background that deeply influences his work. Born in Naples, Italy, to an American father and Japanese mother, Aono was raised in Japan, where he cultivated an appreciation for both Western and Eastern artistic traditions.

The marble sculpture, Dexter Head, featured here is a striking self-portrait of Aono, inspired by Michelangelo’s David. This 3-meter-tall masterpiece (9.8 feet) blends classical and contemporary styles. From the right, its minimalist flat side reveals a silhouette of Michelangelo’s renowned work. From the left, however, the sculpture transitions into a lifelike, three-dimensional depiction, incorporating Aono’s own facial features. This juxtaposition highlights the artist's creative exploration of identity and form.

Carved from white marble, the sculpture is a harmonious blend of clean, minimalist geometry and the graceful, flowing lines of traditional techniques. Its dimensions—3 meters high, 1 meter wide, and 2 meters deep (9.8 ft x 3.2 ft x 6.5 ft)—command attention while maintaining a sense of elegance.

Aono began work on this piece in his New York studio around May or June of 2019. By September that same year, the completed sculpture was installed at the Pola Museum of Art in Hakone, Japan—a fitting home for a work that bridges cultural and artistic traditions.

Location: Hakone, Kanagawa Prefecture, Japan
Timestamp: 09:12・2024/10/15
Fujifilm X100V with 5% diffusion filter
ISO 3200 for 1/110 sec. at ƒ/2
Provia/Standard film simulation

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Sengokuhara Silver Grass Field

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Morning Light on Sengokuhara: Silver Grass and Tradition at Mt. Hakone
仙石原すすき草原：箱根山北麓に広がる、伝統と美の保護

The vast fields of Sengokuhara, situated at an altitude of approximately 700 meters, are blanketed with tall susuki grass (Japanese silver grass, Miscanthus sinensis). Lush and deep green in summer, the grass transforms in early autumn, sending up glistening mauve seed heads that evolve into silvery tufts by mid-autumn, creating a magical landscape that attracts both domestic and overseas visitors.

A gently climbing path flows straight through the field along the northern slope at the northwest foot of Mt. Daigatake, an inactive lava dome that forms part of the Mt. Hakone volcanic caldera in Kanagawa Prefecture. This dirt path stretches 680 meters (2,228 feet) across the full width of the slope, offering visitors an immersive journey through swaying seas of silver grass.

Designated as one of Kanagawa’s “50 Best Scenic Spots” and among the “Top 100 Flower Viewing Spots in Kanagawa,” Sengokuhara is a favorite for nature lovers. Leaving home at 4:00 a.m., I embarked on a less-than-two-hour drive from Yokohama via the Tomei Expressway, with a few stops for hot drinks and a stretch break for my border collie, Dale-chan.

The grassland’s scenic beauty is preserved through controlled burning, a tradition rooted in practicality dating back to the Edo period (1603–1867). Back then, the grass was harvested for thatching rooftops, an essential material in Japanese architecture. However, as modern building materials replaced traditional thatch, the fields languished for several decades.

In 1989, preservation efforts were reintroduced on a trial basis, and since 2000, annual cutting and burning have been conducted to prevent trees and invasive plants from overtaking the field. This practice has ensured that visitors can continue to appreciate the unique beauty of these fields, as well as the cultural significance of Japanese silver grass.

Today, Miscanthus species are recognized not only for their ornamental value but also as potential resources for biomass energy. Initially valued as grazing and structural materials in China and Japan, these grasses are now found worldwide, naturalized in North and South America, Europe, Africa, and beyond.

Location: Hakone, Kanagawa Prefecture, Japan
Timestamp: 08:05・2024/10/15
Pentax K-1 II + DFA 28-105mm F3.5-5.6 + CP
28 mm ISO 100 for 1/20 sec. at ƒ/11

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Location: Hakone, Kanagawa Prefecture, Japan
Timestamp: 08:07・2024/10/15
Pentax K-1 II + DFA 28-105mm F3.5-5.6 + CP
95 mm ISO 100 for 1/15 sec. at ƒ/11

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Location: Hakone, Kanagawa Prefecture, Japan
Timestamp: 06:49・2024/10/15
Fujifilm X100V with 5% diffusion filter
ISO 160 for 1/320 sec. at ƒ/2.2
Astia/Soft film simulation

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Sengokuhara Village

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Sengokuhara Village: Home to a Silver Grass Haven Beneath Mt. Hakone
金時山の麓に広がるススキ草原の町、仙石原

Sengokuhara Silver Grass Fields, nestled at the base of Mt. Hakone’s northern slope in Kanagawa Prefecture, Japan, offer a sweeping view of Mt. Ashigara to the north, quietly overlooking the peaceful resort town of Sengokuhara.

I arrived just before sunrise, just in time to catch the first rays of light spilling over the ridge of Mt. Hakone despite the forecast of heavy clouds.

The history of Sengokuhara stretches back to the early Edo period (1603–1700). Back then, plains of silver grass blanketed the landscape as far as the eye could see, sparking hopes that the land could support grain crops.

However, the volcanic ash soil and high humidity made farming unviable. Instead, the village turned to cultivating Japanese silver grass (Miscanthus sinensis), essential for thatching traditional roofs.

While once vital to daily life, today Sengokuhara is cherished for its scenic beauty and proximity to Hakone’s popular resorts and tourist sites.

Location: Hakone, Kanagawa Prefecture, Japan
Timestamp: 06:46・2024/10/15
Pentax K-1 II + DFA 28-105mm F3.5-5.6 + CP
53 mm ISO 400 for 1/125 sec. at ƒ/8.0

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2024-10-15

Morning Light on Sengokuhara: Silver Grass and Tradition at Mt. Hakone仙石原すすき草原：箱根山北麓に広がる、伝統と美の保護

Sengokuhara Village: Home to a Silver Grass Haven Beneath Mt. Hakone金時山の麓に広がるススキ草原の町、仙石原

Morning Light on Sengokuhara: Silver Grass and Tradition at Mt. Hakone
仙石原すすき草原：箱根山北麓に広がる、伝統と美の保護

Sengokuhara Village: Home to a Silver Grass Haven Beneath Mt. Hakone
金時山の麓に広がるススキ草原の町、仙石原