For those no-longer with us...

Posted by Stu (Kyoto, Japan) on 25 December 2006 in Miscellaneous and Portfolio.

Debated long and hard before posting this for obvious reasons. Asked my Japanese friends if they thought it was OK and they said 'yes'. Still couldnt decide.
So I emailed H.O. with an advance copy to get his opinion and he thought it was OK too. Thankyou Hiro!
This cemetary is right next to my place here in Kyoto. This one old stone was standing among newer shiny granite ones and it looked kind of forlorn yet defiant, as if time had taken its toll but it stood there unrelentingly none-the-less, weather-beaten and moss-covered.
I hope no one thinks it inappropriate. I did it with the greatest respect. Kind of a strange post for Christmas day I admit but there you go. ;-)
Would love to hear your thoughts.

Happy Christmas All!!

Stu

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Comments (10)

Darren from Japan

Merry Christmas mate.
I think you've done a really good job with this image.
Daz

25 Dec 2006 1:09am

H.O from Victoria, Canada

Hi Stu-san, I think good expression and not inappropriate this shot :)
Usually Japanese photographer not many times take that gravestone but in other country photograper take and show us very nice greavestone image. For example please take see this nice image. He is [X-Procesed] (Andriy) that image very cool even your photo I think.
And you made good example this time. I think kid of opptunity for Japanese greavestone :) and Thank you introduce Japanese culture :)

25 Dec 2006 2:44am

H.O from Victoria, Canada

↑　" kind of opportunity " sorry ;)

25 Dec 2006 2:47am

Damon Schreiber from Toronto, Canada

A lovely sentiment, Stu. I admire your respect for this place, and I'm glad you got the nod so to speak to go ahead. I refrained at Adashino Nenbutsu in Arashiyama earlier this year from taking photos of graves that I really wanted to because I didn't think it was allowed there, so I understand your hesitiation, but I really like the results and the respect you give the subject.

25 Dec 2006 9:27am

Duncan Galbraith from kyoto, Japan

Very nicely handled Stuart. The respect with which you've approached this is very commendable. It's yielded a fine result but the sentiment of the title is one which will stay long after the memory of the image fades.

25 Dec 2006 10:07am

Ali-G from Ottawa, Canada

Hey Stu - well certainly a different choice of a picture for Christmas day but everyone has his reasons. I think it is important to capture all aspects of life - and death - to try and understand life. But i think the fact that you were even considering whether or not it is appropriate is in itself is a measure of your respect.
Anyway hope you are enjoying your Christmas - Merry Christmas.

25 Dec 2006 10:12am

Myst from Bologna, Italy

Great composition! I second Ali-G, you showed respect here! Merry Xmas!

25 Dec 2006 11:30am

Evelyn from New Milford, United States

Looks like plots for a Yamamoto family (foreground) and for a Tanaka family (background).
I was very surprised when I was in Japan to find that small cemetaries were often integrated in residential areas, their own city blocks. I was also wary of wandering in there with a camera, but I agree with other commenters: good job, and I definitely feel the reverence.

If I may, however, I'd like to say that the two stones in the front confuse the eye a little bit. The one in the back looks as if it's on the same plane as the one in front, somehow, probably because they are the same height in the photo.

29 Dec 2006 12:29am