From northern Japan to the southern islands, Irena Trevisan paints a characteristic picture of the Land of the Rising Sun.
With numerous references to history and tradition, the texts evoke each region of the archipelago in a sober, elegant style. In this apparent antagonism between the visual chaos of the megacities and the tranquillity of nature, lies the soul of a country largely imbued with Shintoism. Whether in the city or the countryside, the Japanese celebrate water, trees, waterfalls and the sea. Even in the big cities, islands of peace provide an escape from the incessant noise and crowds.
Geishas in Kyoto's Gion district
From Tokyo and Osaka to the gentle tranquillity of the temples of Nara and the rice fields of Maruyama Senmaida, the photos (taken from Shutterstock) reveal splendid panoramas and timeless atmospheres that almost make us forget the volcanic activity in its bowels: hot springs that gave rise to onsen, bubbling mud pots, vapours escaping from beyond the grave. So many facets reflected in the gold of the temples, the yellow of the ginkgo trees in autumn, the pink of the sakura (cherry blossom) and the red of the torii (porticoes in Shinto temples).
Each page is an ode to the Japanese sense of aesthetics. Whether in the tea ceremony (chanoyu), floral art (ikebana) or martial arts (budô), the postures carry with them a taste for precision and the right gesture. Here, refinement is an art of living.
Hirusaki Castle (17th century) seen from one of the traditional red parapet bridges
Text : Brigitte Postel
JAPAN
Book by Irena TREVISAN
Editions VILO
220 pages and 210 photos - 41 euros
