Very interesting take on Yamamoto. The idea of having a work of art in your wallet is something that I find very interesting. One of the reasons that I like smaller photographs, rather than a 16" x 20" or bigger. Yamamoto's idea of having a small visibly 'handled' object, that can be held, studied and put away again till next time is wonderful.
Sadly, in his later work he has been making larger prints and they are much less interesting, perhaps because his galleries around the world demand them. There is something very strange about a series of bonzai photographs that are approximately 1:1, which of course no longer fit in your wallet and are no longer precious in the way that something is that you can hold and caress. One would have thought a bonzai would lend itself particularly well to wallet size. Sadly, in my view he has lost the plot a little. His earlier bodies of work are however among my favourites. He is a great printer and a great artist.
Thank you. Sad to hear he has moved away from those small prints. The photos of his exhibitions looked fascinating. Hopefully will get to see them live one day.
Definitely try to track them down. You can probably find a gallery that represents him somewhere and they will have a box of his work. His prints are quite widely spread among his galleries and therefore accessible, even if not hanging on the wall. His galleries:
My favourite has always been the well known one Wabi Sabi and have included it in my writing as well. But this time around I was reading up on Komorebi as I was writing about the forest in my latest post. But like you said it is quite a cliche and for the very same reason I dropped the idea. But I would like to see if I can give it another twist in the future. Thanks for asking Neil.
What an introduction, thank you for sharing this! And I love Daniel Eve's thoughts on Japanese concepts.
As a westerner studying traditional Japanese martial arts for a while I realise that many of their concepts, especially ancient ones can't literally translate into out languages, the way of thinking about these concepts just doesn't fit with our views so they get mistaken and lost in translation. If I've learned something is that we just need to accept these concepts as they are and try not to interpret them. Easier said than done.
Finally looked at the images on a computer screen, which i immediately wanted to do when i first ready your article on my phone. Thank you for this discovery.
Glad to be of assistance. I should say that they were taken with my phone and the angles and light are sometimes slightly off, but hopefully they are satisfactory reproductions.
Very interesting! You make a good point about the fantasy Japan that is installed in everyone's head at some point but bears little relation to reality. I also liked the disclaimer that you deliberately chose the most ethereal words.
I assume people reading this won't like to hear the truth, but the vast majority of Japanese people do not use any of these terms in the way you have presented them. No one talks of (or conceives the world) in terms of "wa" or "kawa".
"Hara" seems to be a case of finding a couple of idioms using "stomach" and running with the concept. Does the fact we say "stomach-churning" or "butterflies in one's stomach" or "a knot in one's stomach" or "having no stomach for [something]" mean English-speakers have some grand spiritual connection to our bellies? Probably not -- I imagine every language has phrases like this. It's much easier to ascribe some kind of "higher thinking" to Japanese people, due to the aforementioned unreal fantasy we have of Japan.
Other observations that might scandalize readers: no Japanese person sees a calm/serene scene and thinks "that's so Zen!" -- the use of the word in English has metastasized and become its own thing.
Amongst your terms (as I'm sure you know) the only one used in everyday speech is "natsukashii", which is most certainly used with sentimentality all the time!
Also: I've yet to meet a Japanese person who knows who Marie Kondo is, except for those who have previously been asked about her by non-Japanese people. I do have to applaud the way she has monetized a simple, unoriginal concept (first expressed by William Morris in the 19th century?) + Japaneseness into lashings of foreign money. There's something psychologically irresistible about "precepts from Japan", that (in the imagination) all Japanese live their lives by -- but she's far more famous outside the country than in.
I really applaud you for including the 4 terms at the foot of the article, all of which are everyday words that are exponentially more commonly used than the others, and (in my opinion!) much closer to the actual inner life and everyday concerns of the average Japanese person.
All usual disclaimers apply though -- I'm not a guru on Japan, just an observer!
Also, to be clear, there's nothing wrong with yearning for the transcendent...I just think it's best to be aware when you're drinking in a concept that has been filtered through wishful thinking.
(I was astonished to see recently that "misogi" -- Shinto purification washing, usually in nature -- has been turned into a phrase for startup types meaning "exercise challenge"!)
Thank you for this beautiful introduction to a new to me photographer! I have been quite fascinated with Japanese culture lately and loved reading about these words.
His photographs are exceptionally calming and quiet. A moment of peaceful solitude. What a treat.
I love literal translations of Japanese words. I think about the fact far more often than I should that karaoke is of Japanese origin and means empty orchestra.
The Japanese have the most amazing words to describe things. Although I was familiar with many of these words, there were a few new ones in there too. Yamamoto has been on my book list. Good to know the book will be republished. His work really draws me in. Thank you for another great essay!
Thanks Frances! I only chanced upon him because I got a library card for the Glasgow School of Art and he was about the only person under the letter Y. I don't think he is very well known. Really hoping to see an exhibition of his work.
Great post. Love that book, a little gem. Good explanation of these Japanese concepts. Some I already knew, others not. I'm exploring Japanese concepts to include in my ongoing photo project. Like their unusual way of thinking.
Thanky you! As ever with these posts, it is really only scratching the surface. I feel like Daniel at the beginning of Karate Kid getting angry at washing windows. Look forward to hearing more about your project.
Thank you for this. Your descriptions are beautifully written. I see the rouch cut/torn edges to several of the prints. How did Yamamoto shoot? I assume film? And I assume he was his own printer as well? Beautiful work all around.
Very interesting take on Yamamoto. The idea of having a work of art in your wallet is something that I find very interesting. One of the reasons that I like smaller photographs, rather than a 16" x 20" or bigger. Yamamoto's idea of having a small visibly 'handled' object, that can be held, studied and put away again till next time is wonderful.
Sadly, in his later work he has been making larger prints and they are much less interesting, perhaps because his galleries around the world demand them. There is something very strange about a series of bonzai photographs that are approximately 1:1, which of course no longer fit in your wallet and are no longer precious in the way that something is that you can hold and caress. One would have thought a bonzai would lend itself particularly well to wallet size. Sadly, in my view he has lost the plot a little. His earlier bodies of work are however among my favourites. He is a great printer and a great artist.
Thank you. Sad to hear he has moved away from those small prints. The photos of his exhibitions looked fascinating. Hopefully will get to see them live one day.
Definitely try to track them down. You can probably find a gallery that represents him somewhere and they will have a box of his work. His prints are quite widely spread among his galleries and therefore accessible, even if not hanging on the wall. His galleries:
https://www.yamamotomasao.com/galley-representativs
Love the post! Have been reading about these concepts as well. The untranslatable ones are interesting and brought a smile.
Thanks Shital! Do you have any favourites of the ones you have been reading?
My favourite has always been the well known one Wabi Sabi and have included it in my writing as well. But this time around I was reading up on Komorebi as I was writing about the forest in my latest post. But like you said it is quite a cliche and for the very same reason I dropped the idea. But I would like to see if I can give it another twist in the future. Thanks for asking Neil.
I thought the Komorebi you posted the other were very beautiful. I look forward to seeing the twist!
What an introduction, thank you for sharing this! And I love Daniel Eve's thoughts on Japanese concepts.
As a westerner studying traditional Japanese martial arts for a while I realise that many of their concepts, especially ancient ones can't literally translate into out languages, the way of thinking about these concepts just doesn't fit with our views so they get mistaken and lost in translation. If I've learned something is that we just need to accept these concepts as they are and try not to interpret them. Easier said than done.
Finally looked at the images on a computer screen, which i immediately wanted to do when i first ready your article on my phone. Thank you for this discovery.
Glad to be of assistance. I should say that they were taken with my phone and the angles and light are sometimes slightly off, but hopefully they are satisfactory reproductions.
Very interesting! You make a good point about the fantasy Japan that is installed in everyone's head at some point but bears little relation to reality. I also liked the disclaimer that you deliberately chose the most ethereal words.
I assume people reading this won't like to hear the truth, but the vast majority of Japanese people do not use any of these terms in the way you have presented them. No one talks of (or conceives the world) in terms of "wa" or "kawa".
"Hara" seems to be a case of finding a couple of idioms using "stomach" and running with the concept. Does the fact we say "stomach-churning" or "butterflies in one's stomach" or "a knot in one's stomach" or "having no stomach for [something]" mean English-speakers have some grand spiritual connection to our bellies? Probably not -- I imagine every language has phrases like this. It's much easier to ascribe some kind of "higher thinking" to Japanese people, due to the aforementioned unreal fantasy we have of Japan.
Other observations that might scandalize readers: no Japanese person sees a calm/serene scene and thinks "that's so Zen!" -- the use of the word in English has metastasized and become its own thing.
Amongst your terms (as I'm sure you know) the only one used in everyday speech is "natsukashii", which is most certainly used with sentimentality all the time!
Also: I've yet to meet a Japanese person who knows who Marie Kondo is, except for those who have previously been asked about her by non-Japanese people. I do have to applaud the way she has monetized a simple, unoriginal concept (first expressed by William Morris in the 19th century?) + Japaneseness into lashings of foreign money. There's something psychologically irresistible about "precepts from Japan", that (in the imagination) all Japanese live their lives by -- but she's far more famous outside the country than in.
I really applaud you for including the 4 terms at the foot of the article, all of which are everyday words that are exponentially more commonly used than the others, and (in my opinion!) much closer to the actual inner life and everyday concerns of the average Japanese person.
I was secretly hoping to get an insider’s view on how wrong I was, so thank you!
All usual disclaimers apply though -- I'm not a guru on Japan, just an observer!
Also, to be clear, there's nothing wrong with yearning for the transcendent...I just think it's best to be aware when you're drinking in a concept that has been filtered through wishful thinking.
(I was astonished to see recently that "misogi" -- Shinto purification washing, usually in nature -- has been turned into a phrase for startup types meaning "exercise challenge"!)
Thank you , I love this post , images and the explanations of the phrases, a wonderful find thanks
Thank you! So glad to hear.
Thank you for this beautiful introduction to a new to me photographer! I have been quite fascinated with Japanese culture lately and loved reading about these words.
His photographs are exceptionally calming and quiet. A moment of peaceful solitude. What a treat.
Thank you, Manuela! Glad to be of service.
just tops
His photos are quiet, I don't often see that kind of quiet ambience in a photo. His work is stunning
Totally. The vibe is never disturbed. Maybe there is a word for that?
:D
I love literal translations of Japanese words. I think about the fact far more often than I should that karaoke is of Japanese origin and means empty orchestra.
Another great piece
Thank you, William! Karaoke is a good one. It makes me recall the brief trend for Chindōgu.
The Japanese have the most amazing words to describe things. Although I was familiar with many of these words, there were a few new ones in there too. Yamamoto has been on my book list. Good to know the book will be republished. His work really draws me in. Thank you for another great essay!
Thank you, Susanne! I thought of you might enjoy his work: lots of subtlety and calmness. Glad you enjoyed.
I was excited when I saw the title of your post!
I studied photography at art college aeons ago but I can’t recollect coming across Masao Yamamoto, then & since — surely I’d remember if I had. ?!!
A wonderful eye & technician. Another rabbit hole to venture. Thanks for sharing Neil.
Thanks Frances! I only chanced upon him because I got a library card for the Glasgow School of Art and he was about the only person under the letter Y. I don't think he is very well known. Really hoping to see an exhibition of his work.
I’m sure it would be exquisitely curated and hung.
Great post. Love that book, a little gem. Good explanation of these Japanese concepts. Some I already knew, others not. I'm exploring Japanese concepts to include in my ongoing photo project. Like their unusual way of thinking.
Thanky you! As ever with these posts, it is really only scratching the surface. I feel like Daniel at the beginning of Karate Kid getting angry at washing windows. Look forward to hearing more about your project.
Thank you for this. Your descriptions are beautifully written. I see the rouch cut/torn edges to several of the prints. How did Yamamoto shoot? I assume film? And I assume he was his own printer as well? Beautiful work all around.
Thank you! Yes all film, all hand printed. The way his exhibitions are displayed is also worth a look. Small prints that flow through the gallery: https://www.yanceyrichardson.com/exhibitions/masao-yamamoto3/images?view=slider#11
This was brilliant! Would love to have similar posts - exploring other artists from different parts of the world and their unique frameworks