I, as most of us do now, thoughtlessly use my camera to tuck the detritus of my days into my pockets. I also do photography, but I consider those two different things. The former I find pointless and rather wish I didn’t do it. A photo isn’t a memory any more than the scraps of paper and mundane talismans I keep in a little drawer in my dresser are. At best they are short hand notes, jotted down and crumpled in a pocket, maybe looked at later, maybe not.
Something far more inscrutable determines that which we remember and that which we do not. Even a photograph can become meaningless over time. Where was that? Who are those people? Why some things bob happily on the surface of our memories, form bright electric paths that spark blue through our brains, and why others sink down into the silt, forgotten, a neurological black out, I’ll never know.
These photos are artifacts I was able to create by traveling, but they are not my memories. My memories are simple. Heart sickness for my love. Overwhelming wonder at the fact that things really can be as beautiful as you always imagined. Trying to suspend reality, trying to make believe that mystical creatures and spirits inhabited the forest. Wanting someone else’s eyes to see all that I was seeing. Never wanting to leave. All I dream of is being back in the Japanese countryside, but next time with my husband. If he was there with me, it may as well be home. If you ever can, do go.
Stunning moments that capture an emotion, a life, a story. Great work – even without the words.
Oh so lovely. So I’ll take your advice, if I ever get the chance, I will go! I’m not too optimistic, but you never know =) Maybe someday funds and time will allow. Until then, I live vicariously through you. Many thanks.
The “blah blah blah” is definitely my favorite 🙂 Thanks for the snapshot into your process, however unintended! I love the photography/memory distinction. Congratulations again on your wedding and marriage — wishing you and Matt years of giddy happiness.
Ohhhh man. lmfao I’m so glad you said that! I always put in text filler to break up the photos at first and…yeah. Obvi forgot to take it out. I’m just glad I didn’t say anything super weird in them! Ahahahah
😉 got your back, ladyfriend!
I can’t believe these photos. Talk about stunning.
i woke up at 5 am. I read your words, admired the pictures. Time. I cannot sleep now.
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I’m convinced, for some reason, that these places are just as beautiful in reality as they are in these photos.
I usually would not say this…but in this case I swear it is. Maybe even more beautiful.
My soul is longing to be there and see it with the eyes of mine. Love the stories your pictures are telling.
Stunning shots!
Beautifully written and photographed. I want to be there.
magical
Your depiction of time is so eloquently revealed as everything i love and fear. I’m so grateful and therefor vulnerable to time, and it’s nice to feel not so alone in that sentiment. Thank you for such stunning and memorable photos that allow us to almost feel the living air around each subject.
Contrary to you, my photos are pretty much my memories. I don’t do photography – neither as an art form nor professionally – and don’t take as much photos as I wish I did. Because to me, photos are truly linked with my personal memories, even photos I did not take. I look at certain photos in my home and I immediately remember the moment that was taken, and what happened that day, or on that trip, or during that month… I look at photos of, say, my grandparents, their parents, and I remember the first tme I was shown those pictures, and the stories I was told about the people in those photographs, my kith and kin, my heritage, my inheritance, my blood. And I see myself in them and I see my son in my grandfather’s christening photographs, though there was about a century between both births – wow, this is really weird, my grandad being born in 1908 and my son in 2008, and one reminding me of the other so so much, it just gave me deep chills and goosebumps! To me, photos are triggers for my memories, and so I treasure them so much, I believe that the first thing I would salvage if my house was on fire would be my external disk where all the photos are stored!!!
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Wow, these photos are just over the top gorgeous. Thank you for rocking my world this morning… I have wanted to visit Japan for decades, but this really put it to the top of my bucket list. Thanks for sharing your beautiful life with us.
Hello from Japan, actually! I’m in Kanazawa for the next few days, which I think you might love, since it’s known for its food… And as you well know anything in Japan that has a reputation has earned it, earnestly and over time. Kanazawa is no different!
Thank you for the Tokyo Guide, by the way. Did you make it to the kitchenware street near asakusa? I always wondered where people got that fake plastic display food for their restaurants. Now I know… There’s a whole street devoted to it. Its gorgeous.
You’ve cast a spell with this. A beautiful one. Thank you.
These villages just radiate with age. In a sea of deep earth tones, I really appreciated the bright color bursts of the yellow flowers and purple headed cabbage. Beautiful post.
I’m there…or at least I feel that way when I breathe in your luscious photographs. Thank you for sharing them…
I love how this post overwhelmingly shows how distracting real love can be
This is a beautiful post. Do you speak Japanese – or did anyone in that region speak English? I’m going in November and am just a bit worried about the language barrier if I don’t speak Japanese. Let me know what you found.
The owner of the inn, he speaks very good English due to having lived in Italy for some time. But while people speak a minimal bit, it’s unusual to find someone fluent. But as long as I could say “please” “thank you” and the name of where I was going in Japanese…I relied heavily on charades style hand gestures : ) It’s no problem…just a different way of communicating.
These photographs are stunning, Beth, and your writing is utterly incredible, as always. <3
May I ask what kind of camera do you use for your images?
Thanks!
C
a canon 5d mark III
You have captured the mood and tranquility of Japan perfectly. I’m in love and I really want to visit this place. Out of all your pictures, I’ve noticed a wall full of Japanese wards on them. May I ask the story behind that wall?
I’ve never wanted to go to Japan, but now I feel like it should be my mission. Beautiful words and photos. Thank you for inspiration!
Your photography is stunning. Love your blog!
Danielle
http://www.blushblossom.com
Your narrative and pictures reminded me of one of my favorite quotes from Hunter S. Thompsons’ book: Fear and Loathing in Los Vegas, “Maybe it meant something. Maybe not, in the long run, but no explanation, no mix of words or music or memories can touch that sense of knowing that you were there and alive in that corner of time and the world. Whatever it meant.”
Best wishes for you and your beloved for an extraordinary marriage. You know it’s just going to be.
Wonderful tone! Always love your brilliant photos 🙂
Best, Albert | Palming Pebbles
Palming Pebbles FB Page
Just stunning. Amazing pics for an amazing place.
Assolutamente incantata e rapita delle immagini e dalle parole… grazie.
Wow, stunning and surreal, the way you captured the kiso valley is magic. I want to go there so bad. Lovesick in Japan sounds utterly romantic and fitted, but I hope someday you get to go there with your man. I adore reading your eloquent words on falling in love heavy and hard. What a dream.
These are the best photos I’ve ever seen on Japan! So inspiring…
the only word i can find that describes your photos and post is STUNNING
“Forever is composed of Nows.” Emily Dickinson said that and I think the words really capture the tone of your writing and photography. I love that you make an art out of everything you do. You somehow balance the eloquence with information, if I am half the writer you are someday I will be content. I especially loved this piece on Japan. As someone who desperately wants to go, I loved seeing a window into the tranquillity of the countryside rather than the craziness of the city. Thanks!
Stumbled across this post and I must say your photos are absolutely stunning. My boyfriend’s mother lives in Kiso Valley and we visited this past Autumn (I met her for the first time). She took us to Tsumago & Magome. I walked those streets, ate the Miso Kiritanpo from the sweet little lady in the window, and literally gasped at the incredible mountain views. The whole experience was incredibly surreal and I long for it every single day. We have finally settled on our next visit and looking forward to exploring Kiso Valley and Kyoto (will definitely be using your guides, thank you!!!) in early December 2017.
Oh Beth I just loved the way you described your relationship with time! It resonated with me so much. I lived in Japan for several years and always savoured the moments spent in the remote towns and small villages outside of the big fast cities… Kiso is now on my next must-do when in Japan, thanks for sharing such exquisite pics and thoughts!