Shadow Motomachi

The heavenly contrasts with the earthly.

The brightness of the moon emphasizes the crisp darkness of the pine tree’s shadow.

The shadow gently moves,

compared with the stillness of the tatami mats.

- Takarai Kikaku

Contrasts are often found at the heart of the traditional sense of Japanese beauty, the stark contrasts of stillness and movement, darkness and light. Photograph is a shadow of a lamp in Motomachi.