Buddha at Todaji

Japan's Todaji Temple is a beautiful and historical temple. In 752 Toddaji was constructed as the head of all provincial Buddhist temples. Todaji holds the largest Buddha in Japan. The Todaji temple is definitely a keyhole peek into the world of Buddism. While at Todaji I could hear a group praying chants, smell incense, and see the magnificent Buddha sending vibes of tranquility and peace. Buddhism is not native to Japan, but it has certainly integrated itself into the culture. As shown in my earlier posts a man is praying at his family alter. He is Buddhist. I have seen that a offering is made for the dead every night. The offering often consists of rice. The Todaji temple is a place to make offerings as well, however it is not the same kind of offerings. Once inside many people bow their heads put their hands together and pray to the Buddha statue. His mere bronze presence puts a hush in the temple that can only be the devoid sound of prayer and deep concentration. Other deities lavish Todaji but the great Buddha is the reason people come to Todaji. It is quite a remarkable place.


Provided by Japan Orbitz

Daido Moriyama

Daido Moriyama was born on October 10, 1938. Upon the death of his father by train accident in 1938, Moriyama began to work as a free lance designer in Hirano- cho, Osaka. In 1964,Moriyama began to study photography under Takejiwamiya. In 1964, he began to work as a photographer. Moriyama joins the magazine, Provoke , in 1968. It is during this time that Moriyama is inspired by Jack Kerouace's novel On the Road; he begins to take pictures of landscapes from vechicles. Later Provke is disolved due to a scandalous series in a Playboy magazine. In the year 1974, Workshop Photography School is established by Moriyama and other photographers. Later in 19787, Moriyama opens his own gallery in Shibuya, Tokyo. More recently, In 2003 Moriyama recieved that Mainichi Art Award.

Information Provided by Daido Moriyama Biography

In 2008 Moriyama did an exhibition, “bye bye polaroid”. It included five hundred and four images of Toyko between the span of April and October in 2008. It was shown at Taka Ishii Gallery from November 15 to December 13, 2008. It is an exhibition focused on the fact that Polaroid has stopped manufacturing instant film. Due to the increase in the digital market and the reduced demand in instant film, such a decision had to be made. Moriyama bid Polaroid reverence and a tearful farewell to a medium he had used for several years in this project.

This is a short excerpt about the project from Moriyama

“Snap the shutter and get a photo in a minute!” was the underlying concept and stance behind using polaroid, rather like the instant rice TV commercial “Step in the front door and have rice in two minutes!” For more than half a century, polaroid enabled the dream for instantly visible pictures to become reality. I have to write this in the past tense because Polaroid ended the production of instant films this summer. So I thought about holding an exhibition of polaroids to say good bye to the medium personally. Yes, “bye-bye polaroid!” There was nothing more exciting for me than taking polaroid pictures."

-Daido Moriyama

Information provided by LURING AUGUSTINE and Taka Ishii Gallery

Japanese Pop Culture: Totoro Mania

My Neighbor Totoro is one of the many Studio Ghibli films that are loved by crowds in Japan and around the world. My Neighbor Totoro is known by nearly every Japanese person. It is the Japanese Disney films. I am in aw that still every movie is drawn by hand. Movies like Nemo may appeal to the new generation, but I have a penchant for hand drawn cartoons. These pictures were taken outside the 'Dongari' store filled with Ghibli goods. These films are more then just Japanese pop culture; they are a symbol of Japan. Each film has morals, stories, and characters represnting Japan. Totoro is a sort of mascot for Ghibli. When one sees Totoro (the gray creature) one thinks of a cute large fuzzy animal. However, internally and subconsciously one thinks of Japan and the blend of traditions and modern culture that he represents.

My Neighbor Tottro Synopsis

English Studio Ghibli fansite

My Neighbor Totoro Tralier


Image Courtesy of www.totoro.org