Tokyo - hanging gardens

Kath Fries, Tokyo hanging garden, 2011, photograph

My research in Japan was made possible by the Japan Foundation and ArtStart grant program

Aso - views

Kath Fries, Aso view i, 2011, photograph

Kath Fries, Aso view ii, 2011, photograph

Kath Fries, Aso view iii, 2011, photograph

Kath Fries, Aso view iv, 2011, photograph

My research in Japan was made possible by the Japan Foundation and ArtStart grant program.

Aso - water

Kath Fries, Aso spring, 2011, photograph

From the crater of an ancient volcano

the most delicious water

springs from under the ground

bubbling to the surface

sustaining beautiful natural landscapes 

healthy agriculture and happy locals.

People travel for miles 

to slack their thirst 

at these traditional sources

of healing and cleansing.

Kath Fries, Aso water i, 2011, photograph

Kath Fries, Aso water ii, 2011, photograph

My research in Japan was made possible by the Japan Foundation and ArtStart grant program.

Teshima - art island

Kath Fries, Teshima curl, 2011, photographer

Kath Fries, Teshima fence, 2011, photographer

Kath Fries, Teshima Art Museum cafe, 2011, photograph

Kath Fries, Teshima net, 2011, photograph

My research in Japan was made possible by the Japan Foundation and ArtStart grant program.

Naoshima - unravelling tree

Kath Fries, Naoshima unravelling tree i, 2011, photograph

Kath Fries, Naoshima unravelling tree ii, 2011, photograph

My research in Japan was made possible by the Japan Foundation and the ArtStart grant program.

Naroshima - architecture details

Kath Fries, Naroshima - architecture details ii, 2011, photograph

On Naroshima art island

Tadao Ando's fabulous architecture

was breath-taking

and the contemporary artworks were astounding

But it was the small details of nature 

against vast minimalist concrete surfaces 

that drew my lens

Kath Fries, Naroshima - architecture details i, 2011, photograph

My research in Japan was made possible by the Japan Foundation and ArtStart grant program.

Kyoto - rope and wood

Kath Fries, Kyoto rope and wood i, 2011, photograph

Kath Fries, Kyoto rope and wood ii, 2011, photograph

Kath Fries, Kyoto rope and wood iii, 2011, photograph

Kath Fries, Kyoto rope and wood iv, 2011, photograph

Kath Fries, Kyoto rope and wood v, 2011, photograph

Kath Fries, Kyoto rope and wood vi, 2011, photograph

Kath Fries, Kyoto rope and wood vii, 2011, photograph

Kath Fries, Kyoto rope and wood viii, 2011, photograph

My research in Japan was made possible by the Japan Foundation and ArtStart grant program.

Kyoto - bandaged trees

Kath Fries, Kyoto bandaged tree i, 2011, photograph

Kath Fries, Kyoto bandaged tree ii, 2011, photograph

Kath Fries, Kyoto bandaged tree iii, 2011, photograph

Kath Fries, Kyoto bandaged tree iv, 2011, photograph

Kath Fries, Kyoto bandaged tree v, 2011, photograph

My research in Japan was made possible by the Japan Foundation and ArtStart grant program.

Kyoto - stones and moss

Kath Fries, Kyoto meticulous gardening i, 2011, photograph

Kath Fries, Kyoto moss shadow i, 2011, photograph

Kath Fries, Kyoto moss shadow ii, 2011, photograph

Kath Fries, Kyoto stone's throw, 2011, photograph

Kath Fries, Kyoto meticulous gardening ii, 2011, photograph

Kath Fries, Kyoto encroaching shadows i, 2011, photograph

Kath Fries, Kyoto moss shadow iii, 2011, photograph

Kath Fries, Kyoto encroaching shadows ii, 2011, photograph

My research in Japan was made possible by the Japan Foundation and ArtStart grant program.

Kyoto - lotus ponds

 

Kath Fries, Kyoto lotus pond i, 2011, photograph 

Kath Fries, Kyoto lotus pond ii, 2011, photograph

Kath Fries, Kyoto lotus pond iii, 2011, photograph



Kath Fries, Kyoto lotus pond iv, 2011, photograph



My research in Japan was made possible by the Japan Foundation and ArtStart grant program.

Koyasan - temple gardens

Kath Fries,  Koyasan - rock garden and pine needles i, 2011, photograph

Kath Fries, Koyasan - rock garden and pine needles ii, 2011, photograph

Koyasan serene mountain temple town

housing meticulously maintained gardens

inviting calm contemplation

offering glimpses of ways 

to patiently approach 

an understanding 

of transience and existence

Kath Fries, Koyasan - Mottled wall, 2011, photograph

Kath Fries, Koyasan - fringe of moss and sand, 2011, photograph

Kath Fries, Koyasan - message stick, 2011, photograph

Kath Fries, Koyasan - tree brace i, 2011, photograph

Kath Fries, Koyasan - tree brace ii, 2011, photograph

My research in Japan was made possible by the Japan Foundation and ArtStart grant program.

Koyasan - Okunoin cemetery

Kath Fries, Okunoin trees and headstones, 2011, photograph

Cradled high in the misty mountains 

is the secluded temple town of Koyasan.

At the eastern end of which

encased in mossy peaceful shadows

lies the expansive Okunoin cemetery.

A revered and sacred site

marking both the beginning and the end 

of an ancient Buddhist pilgrimage, 

like the ensō circular nature of existence.

Kath Fries, Okunoin giant tree brace, 2011, photograph

Kath Fries, Okunoin hollow tree and stones, 2011, photograph

Kath Fries, Okunoin miniature world, 2011, photograph
 (the bib was placed on the tiny Buddhist deity statue
in a prayer ritual relating to child mortality)

Kath Fries, Okunoin fallen tree and headstones, 2011, photograph

Kath Fries, Okunoin spider webs, 2011, photograph

Kath Fries, Okunoin logs ringed with moss, 2011, photograph

Kath Fries, Okunoin charcoaled fence, 2011, photograph

Kath Fries, Okunoin growth rings and wishing coins, 2011, photograph

Kath Fries, Okunoin weight of time, 2011, photograph

Kath Fries, Okunoin void, 2011, photograph

My research in Japan was made possible by the Japan Foundation and ArtStart grant program.