On a recent spring morning sitting on my deck facing the sun and doing my meditation practices, I felt like I was actually inside this photo titled “Essence of Being” and which is featured on the back cover and inside of my book Timescapes Japan - A Pinhole journey. That moment inspired this simple short poem:

***

Return to innocence
thinking inside the box
and outside the box
at the same time.

Exposure time
four minutes sitting still
it’s not so long in the
scheme of things.

Open the drawer
put in light sensitive paper
close drawer
black tape on cracks.

Sit, open “shutter”
wait to healed by
medicine box camera.

***

I made this image in 2006 during a pinhole photography workshop I was teaching at my then new house studio. The camera was made from an old wooden drawer medicine box which were common in households in the “old days”. This is the first image I made with that camera and for me it’s still the best one. (Photos of camera below the Japanese text)


「Essence of Being 存在のエッセンス」の写真作品について
最近の春の朝、デッキに座って太陽に向かい瞑想をしていたとき、まるで自分が「存在のエッセンス」と言うタイトルの写真の中にいるような感覚に襲われました。この写真は私の著書『タ イ ムスケープス・ジャパン ー 針 穴で撮る日本の原風景ー』の裏表紙と本文中に掲載されています。この瞬間から、下記のシンプルで短い詩が生まれました。

***

無邪気さに戻る
箱の中で考えて
同時に
箱の外で考える。

露光時間
4分で動けずに座る
物事の流れは
それほど長くない。

引き出しを空け
感光紙を入れる
引き出しを閉める
隙間に黒テープをはり

座り、「シャッター」を空け
薬箱のカメラで
いやされることを待つ。

***

この写真は、2006年に当時新居だったスタジオで教えていた「ピンホール写真ワークショップ」で撮影したものです。カメラは、昔は家庭でよく見られた木製の引き出し式薬箱を改造して、生徒さんと一緒に作りました。箱と写真のサイズは、およそ8×10インチです。このカメラで撮影した最初の写真であり、今でも私の一番のお気に入りです。

As a photographer and writer, a gardener and sometimes traveler I have the good fortune to tune to the actual elements. I live in the countryside with a garden and a view of the hills and mountains and the ocean is less than 3 kilometers away. My home is in Japan but looks much like the east coast Blue Ridge Mountains in my home birth state of Virginia. Doing these breathing attunements outdoors in the elements is a special blessing. But there also days when I do them in a hotel room looking out the window or standing on the platform before catching an early morning train. When I lived in Tokyo I mostly did them walking on my morning commute to the station.

I have shared these Purification Breaths at writers’ conferences, poetry gatherings, photography workshops, on Nature Meditation walks, and with a variety of activists as a way to tune to nature and awaken creativity. I also work as fashion model and like to think that this attunement to the elements aids my presence before the camera and the viewers of the resulting photos.

I happen to be a member of The Japan P.E.N Club. When I heard they had an “environmental committee” I thought to join that, but friends who were on the committee told me “all they discuss is nuclear issues” - important yes but not necessarily my focus. I believe it’s places like these that could definitely be enriched by these simple breathing practices and some other Nature Meditations in addition to their “harder” activism issues. I hope to reach out more to this kind of group and other venues. In the meantime, I keep up the daily practice as much as possible enjoying what it does to me personally, those around me, and those far and wide who need our positive energy more than ever.

Reference Notes:

"Elements Breathing Practice"

Earth
Breathe in and out through the nose
Water
Breathe in though the nose, breathe out through the mouth
Fire
Breathe in through mouth, breathe out through the nose
Air
Breathe in through the mouth, breathe out though the mouth
Ether
Breathe gently in and out through nose

4 or 5 breaths for each element or more if you like –
Note: when inhaling through the mouth, just slightly open, feeling the breath though the lips. Standing or sitting by an open window or outside is recommended.

“Salutations”
All productive Mother Earth, I humbly offer my homage to Thee
All purifying Water, I willingly offer my homage to Thee
All consuming Fire, I wholeheartedly offer my homage to Thee
All pervading Air, I gladly offer my homage to Thee
Oh Ether essence of All, I humbly offer my homage to Thee

(Related stories see the book Whisper of the Land)

"Other Peoples’ Shoes"　「他人の靴」
(Poem starts below the photo, followed by more photos! 詩は写真の下にあります。他の写真もあります！)

Other Peoples’ Shoes
 
He was no stranger to pain.
Felt it in his shoulders his neck his stomach.
He walked and dreamt
miles and miles
in other peoples’ shoes
or in their bare feet
feeling their pain
of no home of no food
no peace no love…
their simple desire for a healthy life.
He walked with these strangers
in his mind
in his meditation
in his reading the news
in his shopping for food and life necessities…
he tried to walk with the strangers in pain.
 
And when he has
his own precious Moments of Joy
he humbly offers a Smile of Light
a Warm Nourishing Thought
to these friends who are no longer strangers.
And even if it’s not enough
he believes it does some good.

Edward Levinson Aug. 15, 2025

(More photos below Japanese text)

他人の靴
 
彼は痛みを良く分かる人だ。
彼の肩に首に腹にも感じる。
他人の靴の中またははだしでも
遠く遠くへ、歩いた、そして夢見た。　　　
かれらの痛みを感じながら
家もない食べものもない
平和でない愛がない…
かれらの単純な希望は健康的な生活。
彼はこの見知らぬ人たちと一緒に歩いて　　
彼の心の中に
彼の瞑想の中に
彼がニュースを読むときに
彼の食べものと生活に必要なものを買い物するときにも…
彼は痛みがある見知らぬ人たちとともに歩いてみた。
 
そして
彼は自分の貴重な喜びの瞬間があるとき
謙遜を持って光のほほえみと
暖かい栄養豊富の思いを
もはや見知らぬ人たちではないその友だちたちに
差し上げる。
そして彼は、たとえそれは十分でなくとも
役に立つと信じている。
 
 
エドワード・レビンソン　2025年8月15日

There was a great fire in 1772 in Edo (the old name for Tokyo) called the “Fire of Gyoninzaka” and it was speculated to have begun at this Daizenji Temple. The 520 Stone Arhat statues were erected over various periods and serve to console the victims of fire disaster. It's a place I unexpectedly came across the other day while in Tokyo for a job.
As I photographed them standing in the mid afternoon very hot sun, I contemplated all the current victims of war and disasters going on now everyday in the world. Peace and good thoughts to all!

1772年、江戸（東京の旧称）で「行人坂の火事」と呼ばれる大火が発生しましたが、この大善寺が火元と推測されています。520石羅漢像は様々な時代を経て建立され、火災の犠牲者を慰めています。先日、仕事で東京にいった時に、偶然見つけたもの。
真昼の強い日差しの中、彼らを撮影しながら、今世界中で毎日起こっている戦争や災害の犠牲者たちのことを思いました。皆様に平和と安らぎを！

I took this pinhole camera 4x5 inch film photo about 30 years ago and though I always really liked it, I never made an exhibition print of it or published it for some reason. It’s in the front entrance garden of the famous Bamboo Temple  (Hōkokuji Temple) in Kamakura. The Buddha figure, which is not very big, has a peaceful and contemplative presence. I came across this photo in my archive while looking for something interesting to post; it reminds me of the importance of one person holding an attunement of peace, doing what you can, where you are, perhaps retreating from this chaotic world for a short while, all while still being aware and concerned about the cry of humanity.

この写真は30年ほど前に4×5インチのフィルムのピンホールカメラで撮影したもので、ずっと気に入っていたのですが、なぜか展覧会用のプリントにしたり、出版したりしたことがありませんでした。鎌倉にある有名な報国寺(竹寺)の入口の庭で撮ったものです。それほど大きくはない仏像は、穏やかで瞑想的な存在感を放っています。何か面白いものを投稿できないかと探していた時に、アーカイブからこの写真を見つけました。この写真は、一人の人間が平和の調和を保ち、自分がいる場所でできることをし、この混沌とし​​た世界から少しの間離れながらも、人類の叫びに気づき、心を砕くことの大切さを思い出させてくれます。

Photo:
Vatican Columns, Rome 1994　バチカンの柱、ローマ 1994年
(Pinhole photoピンホール写真)

Photo:

Candles in a chapel in Assisi,1994　アッシジの礼拝堂のキャンドル、1994年
(Lens photo　レンズ写真)

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"Along the Beach", Miyazaki Japan 宮崎, 1998 Pinhole Photograph

Recently, a poetry group challenge had “silver” as the theme word. I remembered this photograph which appears in my book Timescapes Japan, and suddenly this haiku came to me as I was riding on a train.

最近の歌の会のチャレンジのテーマの言葉は、”銀(silver)” でした。私の本「タイムスケープス・ジャパン」のこの写真を思い出して、電車に乗りながら突然この俳句が浮かびました。

Above Photo: Winter Ocean Abstract © Edward Levinson

Photo: my Solo Hill Garden, Nov. 20, 2024

Sleepy raining morning with headache, slept in a bit, then finally had some coffee at the second floor dining room table with the window wide open, looking down, looking out, the light rain, and the slowly turning fall colors - dark green to light green to light yellow, speckled persimmon leaves, variations of pink, white, and red sazanka flowers, bluish tints in the still lush trees and bushes, glistening wet, light wet, smiling wet drops impress inks into my small haiku notebook. Headache slowly melts away. I remembered Monet’s Garden in the fall.

雨が降っている眠い朝、頭が痛い、少し寝坊した、そして2階のダイニングの窓を大きく開けた、やっとコーヒーを飲んだ。下を見る、真っ直ぐ見る、秋雨が降り、そしてゆっくりと秋の色に変わっていく - 濃い緑から薄い緑、そして薄い黄色へ。斑入りの柿の葉、ピンク、白、赤のサザンカの花のバリエーション、まだ青々とした木々や茂みに青みがかった色合いが見える。濡れて輝く、光が濡れ、微笑む水滴が小さい俳句手帳にインクをしめさせた。頭の痛みが解けた。モネの秋の庭を思いだした。

I Was Crushed I Was Lost

Thinking of Africa
I sat and ordered
a deluxe veggie burger and fries
and when it came I ate but
I was crushed I was lost

Thinking of Ukraine
I order a computer part
got the old machine up and running but still
I was crushed I was lost

Thinking of Palestine and Israel
I paid my NHK broadcast fee
for my old TV to see disasters and again
I was crushed I was lost

Thinking of immigrant refugees
I got another COVID vaccine and had
a two-day hangover in the comfort of my own home
I was crushed I was lost

Thinking of the warming planet
I paid my car’s exorbitant shaken inspection fee
filled the tank with gas and drove away
I was crushed I was lost

Thinking local
I waved to dear friends in need
who are fighting not to die but to live
I was crushed I was lost

Trying to think or not to think
about the world news
I eat my needed breakfast
believing I am too thin to
skip meals even in solidarity…
nearly broken
I am crushed I am lost

Thinking of nothing
Thinking of everything
I bathe in morning sunrises
grateful for these peaceful moments
in that Light
I am crushed I am lost.

Cybele and I first met virtually during the pandemic through a photo I posted of a sacred tree in Kyoto on the Inayatiyya Facebook group. We decided to meet up when I made a short work visit to Korea in August. Cybele wanted to take me to a sacred shaman nature site nearby in the mountains. The spot is marked by a huge rock spot topped by a dead tree (Cybele said it died immediately after a fence was put around the rock by the local government to keep people from praying there); evidently the mountain spirits were not happy, now again it is a place to offer prayers to Nature. The spot used to be a sacred crossroads for travelers. There is a small alter in front of the rock to make offerings.

As we were thinking and imagining what to offer, and ready to light some incense, we noticed there were already two other Korean local ladies there getting ready to do some kind of ceremony. They said we could watch from a distance, and this is what we saw with our eyes and poem below the photos for what we felt:

Shaman Ladies

Braided bound chords of cloth
Shaken then ripped
Ripping the knots of humanity
two lay shaman ladies
in their daily clothes
standing, bowing with passion
calling upon and
appeasing the spirit of a giant rock
and a dead tree at
ancient crossroad
scared gathering spot.

In sweltering heat their voices barely heard
they call upon the mountain gods and energy
that controls our lives….
my friend and I stand and watch
unexpected sudden guests to this ritual event
us too, hot with the heat of the boiling summer day
watching sacred colors
Red Yellow Black White Blue
symbols of Humanity
weaved and waved by
these believers
in the Spirit of the Land
patient local shamans
global in their intent.
They also have work to do.

Afterwards the ladies followed us to the WMH to get a feel for the place and possibly offer some advice on the energy present there. All I know is that the next morning I had a very special meditation time in my simple, beautiful, private room (too many bugs to sit in the garden as planned). The above poem was inspired in an instant that morning.

After breakfast I helped Cybele with some gardening. Cybele was cleaning up around the big tree at the entrance, partly so we could get the car in and out more easily. My task was to cut and unravel some tenacious vines that had taken over three small fruit trees during the summer. It was not unlike the shaman ladies unknotting the weaved chords they had prepared, clearing the so-called knots in humanity and our relationship with Nature as well.

vines in the trees
battle the sickle
hot sun me

(Haiku by Edo, aka Edward Levinson)

Finally taking a break in the shade under a big tree, sitting on a prime view veranda, I was touched by Murshid Hazrat Inayat Khan’s being. He seemed so pleased that this space in Korea existed and how my spot in Japan balanced with it and how we had created spaces for the Message here in Northeast Asia. Validation in any form is always dear.

Meditation time and hard labor work done, we were ready to take the car and treat ourselves by going out to lunch. Being super cautious driving out the narrow gravel road, we felt a hard bump and heard a shockingly loud hissing. We had hit a sharp rock (invisible to us in the high grass) that demolished the tire. While we waited for the wrecker, the “why” of our predicament came to both of our minds. A rock in the road could be a symbol, but interpretation of that is personal. I'm pretty sure somewhere Murshid’’s teachings it says, "the work of a Sufi is to remove rocks from paths of others" or something similar to that. Could have been Pir Vilayat who said or repeated it. My simple gardener mind always remembers the phrase and image. With extra unexpected effort, we certainly removed that rock from the path! I tossed that now broken thing off the road where hopefully it wouldn’t bother anyone else. I suppose the spirits of the land and the beings who knew we were there wanted us to slow down a bit. And so, we did.

sharp rock on the road
our so-called plans
a blow-out

(Haiku by Edo)

This is some guidance we came across after our untimely tire blowout!

By Edward Levinson with help from the spirit of Cybele.

Cybele is a musician from New York who came upon an abandoned traditional lord's house in the countryside of Korea. Entranced by the spot and the open-air stage of the house's porch, she spent the next 20 years creating a dream and then acquiring and restoring the house as a stage to preserve and promote world performing arts, and gather people in meaningful ways to expand the peace (inner and outer), joy, and connection in the world through music, the creative arts and culture. Cybele on Facebook.

For more info on Ureuk World Music House visit:
www.facebook.com/worldmusichouse

Unpublished poem and haiku copyright Edward Levinson.
Share with discretion.

For Edwards books visit the book page and his essay memoir book page "Whisper of the Land"
To see photos of Edward's Solo Hill Garden and House visit this link.

A few days ago driving a back road in Kamogawa, a place I often drive by, the summer landscape looked nicer than usual. I stopped the mini-truck in the late hot morning sun and took a few photos of the place. On the left side of the river is a quaint gravel road with some cherry trees on one side and a gone-wild bamboo thicket. The bamboo green looks especially nice this time of year, but can be a nuisance when it becomes invasive. Along bamboo side of the road were the tell-tale signs of development, the orange ribbons tied here and there marking where to cut. In fact, one lot at the beginning of the road was already clear-cut, covered with gravel and now looking very hot. Having a little house along this river would be nice I am sure, but I worry about what the hodgepodge development will look like and what effects it will have on the environment. As I made a u-turn on the dead end road, a small “kyon” deer crossed on its way to the river. These over-populated mini deer can be a nuisance, just like the overgrown bamboo, but they are all living things and deserve our consideration. I hope if I go back during the spring cherry blossom season the place will still have some charm! (one more photo below the Japanese text)（日本語は写真の下にあります。)

数日前に鴨川のいつも使う裏道にドライブしたら,夏の風景が普段より綺麗に見えた。暑い昼前の太陽光で、ｋトラックを止めて、この場所を撮影しました。川の左側に趣のある砂利道があり、その片側に桜の木が並び、向かい側は野生になった細い竹の竹林があります。今の夏の時期に竹の緑色はとても綺麗だ、けれども生い茂ると迷惑になる事があります。竹林側にあったすぐ分かる開発の印、あちこちオレンジのリボンがあって、カットする位置に印を付けています。実際には道の入口の近くに一区画の土地がついでに伐採されて、砂利がしかれて、とても暑そうでした。この川の傍に家があるのは気持ちいいかもしれないけれど、このごった煮てきな開発の事を心配し、環境にどんな影響があるかと考える。行き止まりの砂利道でUターンしながら川へ行く小さいなキョンが道を渡った。今生い茂った竹と同じように、大変溢れているキョンはたしか迷惑ですが、彼らたちも生き物である、私たちの検討に値します。もし春の桜時期にまたこを訪ねたら、まだこの場所は魅力的であるように願います!

A Buddhist monk praying for alms in Yurakucho, Tokyo. From the series Beauty and Symbolism in the City

Shocked Awakening

He was shocked to wake up
one morning and the climate had changed.

He was shocked that wars were still being fought
needlessly taking lives, foolishly destroying
homes, schools, and other necessities of Life.

He was shocked by the bullets spraying
in classrooms as students tried to learn
teachers tried to teach.

He was shocked by the author
who was stabbed with a knife and
the politician killed with a homemade shotgun.

He was shocked by how many people mostly
talked to others via machines
and never touched each other or communed with Nature.

He was shocked that no one
had made his strong coffee yet
and awakened him out of this sunrise nightmare.

But he wasn’t shocked that
the birds still sang
the cicada still buzzed
the ocean tides still moved in and out
the sun and moon still rose and gave light
and clouds tried to show the way.

Floating clouds…
Yes, a floating world
something to grab onto
so he wouldn’t sink into
a permanent state of shock.

He looked in the mirror at his beard
that seemed to have grown too long and too white,
grabbed some sharp scissors, said a prayer.
“Perhaps if I trim it, these shocks will disappear.”

「ショックな朝」

彼はショックだった。
ある朝目覚めたとき
気候が変動していたのだ。

彼はショックだった。
未だに戦争が戦われている
意味も無く命を奪い
住まい、学校、他の人生に必要な物を
破戒している馬鹿馬鹿しさに。

彼はショックだった。
若い学生が勉強し
教師が教えている教室で
銃弾が飛んでいた。

彼はショックだった。
ある有名な作家がナイフで刺された
ある政治家が手作り散弾銃で殺されたことに。

彼はショックだった。
数多い人々がほとんど機械だけで人々と話す
直接他の人と触れ合わず
生きている自然との触れ合いも無い。

彼はショックだった。
この日の出の悪夢から目覚めるための
朝のストロングコーヒーを
まだ誰も点てていなかった。

彼はショックだった。
数多い人々がほとんど機械だけ話し合う
直接他の人と触れ合わず
生きている自然との触れ合いも無い。

しかし彼にはショックでないこともあった。
鳥たちは未だに歌っていた
蟬はまだざわめいていた
海の干潮と満ち潮はいつもどおり動いている
太陽と月が上がり、光りがきらめいている
そして雲は道案内をしている。

彼はショックだった。
誰も彼の朝のストロングコーヒーを
まだ点てていなかった
この日の出の悪夢から目覚めるために。

しかし彼にはショックではないこともあった。
鳥たちは未だに歌っていた
蟬はまだざわめいていた
海の干潮と満ち潮はそのまま動いている
太陽と月がまだ上がり、光りがきらめいている
そして雲は道案内をしている。

浮雲.........
Yes、浮かんでいる世界で
何かを掴まえよう
彼が永遠に続くショック状態に
陥らないように。

彼は自分の鬚を鏡で見た
長すぎる､白すぎる、かもしれない、と思った
鋭い鋏を掴み､そして祈った
「もしかしたら、鬚を手入れすると
このたくさんのショックが消えてしまうかもしれない。」

"Kenja no Hige (Sage's Beard)" from the book Timescapes Japan






This poem was written for a monthly Poetry Challenge Group on the theme of the emoji for "shock".

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غابة -
ظلمة مطبقة
وطريقٌ مضيء



The Jungle-
A deep darkness
A bright path


(Photo: Forest Path p.3)

*****






من الضفة
تدعوني شجرةٌ:
"اقتربْ!"



From the Bank
A tree calls me
To approach


(Photo: River Guardian p. 9)

*****






أيها الطائر!
أنا عشُّك
فادخلني

O’ Bird
I am your nest.
Enter.


(Photo: Free as a Bird p. 13)

*****





لا رحيل ولا عودةٌ أيها النهر
سفرٌ دائمٌ
يسيل


No departure, no return, river.
Continuous travel
Flowing.


(Photo: River Gorge p. 18)

*****





ابحثْ عنّي
بين صخورٍ وادعةٍ
تفترش الماء


Find me there.
Amid the rocks
Sitting humble in the water


(Photo: Old Coast p. 29)

*****





عبر الجسر
خلف الأشجار
روحي تتأرجح في غصن


Across the bridge
Behind the trees
My soul swings in a branch


(Photo: Across the Bridge p. 60)

*****





كرةٌ من زجاج
هشّةً
أرضنا التي تدور


Crystal ball
Fragile
Our spinning world.


(Photo: Crystal Ball p. 75)

*****





في سلامهم
أو حروبهم
يتصادم البشر


In their peace
Or their wars
Humans collide.


(Photo: On the Subway p. 80)

*****





الهابطون من الجبل
كثيرًا ما ينسون
القمّة


Those who descend the mountain
Often forget
The summit.


(Photo: Mountain Monk p. 91)


*****





من يدري؟
قد يمرّ هؤلاء الأطفال
في دروب أشقّ من دروبنا!


Who knows?
These kids might pass
A harder paths than ours!


(Photo: Tokyo Kids p. 92)

*****






سأستريح لحظةً
مستأذنًا
الأبدية


Taking a moment's rest.
I ask permission
Of Eternity.



(Photo: Resting p. 96)

*****

Haiku used with permission. All Haiku Copyright: Abdulkareem Kasid

Visit Abdulkareem Kasid on Facebook

**Kareem is using one of my pinhole photographs on the cover of his forthcoming Arabic poetry book.
カリームは、彼の次のアラビア語の詩集の表紙に私のピンホール写真を使用します。**

*****

The book Timescapes Japan is currently on sale a discounted price. Check out the Book Page.

2006年出版した第一作写真集、『タ イ ムスケープス・ジャパン』、特別セール中！

Photo by Edward Levinson 1985 JAPAN

「沈黙を破ろう」

How difficult or how easy is it to maintain that peaceful loving attunement in everyday life. How many moments in the day are necessary for us to be aware of it to make it a reality? Or can it be a built-in part of our being, something that is so easy that we don’t need to think about it or even know that we are doing it. Perhaps like the now cliche “meditation in action” or the more profound “mastery through accomplishment” as Hazrat Inayat Khan called it.

So enthralled was I by the cold morning with warm sun and no wind, a fairly decent night’s sleep - I had gone out without my winter hat and scarf, just a my thin Japanese tenugui cotton utility scarf wrapped around my crown. Not wanting to break my mood and go back up the stone steps to the house, I improvised adding one more layer with the crumpled red American bandana from my back pocket. Red for the New Year, balance of East and West?

With humor and a smile I greeted the New Year with the constancy of my daily meditation/prayer practices, finding the comforting repetitiveness of doing it everyday (as much as possible!), balanced by the new energy and new insights it brings me.

Later the same day, about an hour before sunset, by the sea at one of my favorite sunset spots I greet the Sun again. To my side is a tiny shrine about 90 cm tall, undecorated for the New Year even though its the look-out and one of the guardians of the small fishing port. There is only enough space for one or two people to stand after climbing the 10 uneven steps to get there. I face the Sun - thinking nothing - saying no prayer - but the body actually becoming the prayer, filling with light. With a minuscule shrine by my side as a partner I soaked up some Light… or did it soak me up?

Back in the warm car circling the port, five minutes later now on the shadow side, processing what happened, I have to pull over and jot down some notes, afraid the moment may pass. “Pray without ceasing”, “the body becoming a vessel”, “Remembrance”, “the whole body [meaning: my being] radiating a prayer, consciously or subconsciously”, “always attuned”.

The next day, I go for a first New Year’s walk with a friend in the woods behind a mountain shrine. Around one bend in the path is a stately backlit tree. Adjust your vision or position and the late afternoon Sun overwhelms. I smile and say to myself and to my friend,“ Bombed with Light”. Again and again…

************

Up on the plateau high above the town and valley is Courbet’s birthplace, La Ferme Courbet, a modernly restored farmhouse structure housing a gallery for guest artists and small concerts and a few overnight rooms for tourists. On this warm fall day we sat in the flower and vegetable garden enjoying drinks from the cafe while real cowbells played in the distance.

Abundant plateau cows supply the raw goods for local makers of cheese. The hard salty compte cheese is a specialty of the area; madam at one country shop enticed us with samples of various aged versions. Another delicacy is the Mont D’Or cheese, which is only made in the season with milk from cows grazing naturally in the rich meadows. Along the roads, coming face to face with these busy bovines, I thanked them for their part in the gourmet process.

Aiming for the late afternoon glow we descended back into the river valley, managing to catch some classic compositions at the Chateau de Cleron, with its pointed domes, and the massive old stone Viaduc de La Breme (also an old train trestle) both scenically positioned along the river as if waiting for artists. Next, a roadside spot where a marker tells us one of Courbet’s paintings was done. Two experienced photographers — one a local — couldn’t find the exact scene but we imagined Courbet’s presence on the riverbank.

The next day a light rain and mist had moved into the valley. Taking advantage of the midday even light we drove up to a viewpoint above Ornans. Seeing the panorama, the tiny St. George Chapel (built 1289, restored 1500) where someone had placed seasonal garden flowers on the altar, and lived-in old stone houses easily transported me to another era where there was once a fortress castle.

In the afternoon the weather cleared and it was finally time to drive along the river road deeper into the Valley de Loue. Heading upstream, one comes upon natural green curves gently massaged by the flowing water. Scenic villages seem to be located in spots where the mood and faces of the Loue changes.

Vuillafans is small and quiet, and like all the villages has a historic church (with a bell all the way from China). A stroll across the bridge gives you a framed view of another smaller bridge; quaint old houses offer a taste of how it would be to live here. If the day is right you can sample a tasty local specialty of fresh water trout at the small corner restaurant beside the river.

Further up the road is Lod, officially on the list as one of France’s “Most Beautiful Villages”. After photographing the rapids descending over rocks with the village as a backdrop, we left the car by the river and walked up the sloped narrow streets and paths looking at the picturesque old homes and gardens. The garden beside the church was a good example of French style pottage, a mix of vegetables and flowers in a homey style. Perhaps it was off-season or the “iffy” weekday weather, but we seemed to have the place to ourselves.

Having indulged my habit to stay photographing “too long” in one place, Jean gently mentioned there was still more to see up the road. A short time later we were driving up through the Gorges de Noailles, a scenic mountain pass, carved by the ages. The area’s signature rock faces dotted the mountain landscape giving the impression of both a smiling and stoic nature.

Shortly before dark we finally arrived at the “Source de La Loue”. A six hundred meter walk from the car park one comes to a hollowed out area where the River Loue makes it debut flowing out of a cave opening in the mountainside. The gray damp day heightened the mystique and the sacred timelessness of the spot; I envisioned the area’s ancient dwellers here paying homage to the gods of the valley.

The next day I spent quietly exploring the town of Ornans on foot. A short walk from the town center, across the river from the main road, are grassy fields accented with landmark trees, wooden fences, and a place to experience horseback riding. The wide valley allows a good view of the surrounding mountains and cliffs contrasting with the narrow winding river road.

Back in the old part of town are interesting shops and galleries, churches, and narrow back streets and paths. The river is the focal point with each bridge offering a different splendid post card view. Light floats on the surface mirroring the clouds floating above. The many houses hanging on the edge, become one with the magical River Loue.

The day ends relaxing with a beer at an outdoor cafe beside the river on the edge of town. The low angle sun softens the mood. Looking through the lens, with a paintbrush, or just the natural eye, Courbet’s art in my mind, I am inspired by both realism and impressionism in the light of the Valley de Loue.

ALL PHOTOS AND TEXT COPYRIGHT EDWARD LEVINSON. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
FOR PERMISSION TO REPRINT THIS ARTICLE ABOVE PLEASE CONTACT ME DIRECTLY.

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Wreath Installation: by Tsuruta Shizuka.
Photo by Edward Levinson - Copyright 2020.

"Spirit's Home" from the Sacred Japan series

https://vimeo.com/487204089

From "Spots of Light -Tokyo"

「必要なのはのMantra」

必要なのは:

プリントアウト
叫び声
告白
外へ行く

必要なのは:

知ること
考えること
世話すること
私を
あなたを
私たちを
一つのことを
一つと一緒
一つと 一緒　———　 一緒なにと ？

一つになる愛
愛とともに喜び
喜びで慈悲

プラネットへの情熱
人間はプラネットに
知識使う人間
人生の知識
経験ある人生

瞬間に経験
愛に経験
自然に経験

自然は人間に
人間は花に
花ははちに
はちは宇宙に

宇浦　＿＿＿
宇浦　＿＿＿


宇浦のなかへ
宇浦のなかへ
海のなかへ
海のなかへ
森のなかへ
森のなかへ
土のなかへ
土のなかへ

必要なのは:


繰り返す
繰り返す
必要に繰り返す
Mantraを
自分のMantraを

歌と一緒
宇宙と一緒
一つの宇宙
一つの宇宙。

photos: © Edward Levinson

Fall wind 秋の風　
Takes the unknown road 　　　未知の道行き
Spreading wings 　　　　　　　伸ばす

　「輝く十月の朝、バージニアの森の中のキャビンを去るとき、日本への旅の目的は、必ずしもぼくがこうだと考えている通りではない、とぼくは感じた。そこで予定は立てないことにした。トレードマークの、胸当ての付いたオーバーオールとワークブーツを履いたぼくは、頭の回転の遅い無骨な田舎者のように見えるだろう。そこで、オーバーオールを脱いで一番良いジーンズを穿き、新しくオイルを塗ったブーツを履いた。再び旅に出ることが、ぼくにはうれしかった。今度の旅で、どんなレッスンを受けるのだろう? 　東京行き中国航空機はサンフランシスコから飛び立った。」
「ぼくの植え方」岩波書店 より「路上を再び」
　“On the Road Again”

**************************************

1979年秋、旅行熱が昂じてぼくは日本にやって来た。「レッドウィング」のブーツでは、常に履き物を脱ぐ他人の家や寺院にはふさわしくない、と気づくのに長くはかからなかった。それでデパートに行き、「ミズノ」のおしゃれな白いスニーカーを買った。
京都郊外の山中にあったオーガニックの農家を訪ねた時、ぼくは「地下足袋」を発見した。英語で「大地の靴」と教えられた。直ぐに村の店に行き、一足買った。ぼくの考えでは、これは今でも庭仕事にふさわしい履き物だと思っている。特に、日本庭園の繊細な苔や変わった形の踏み石の上を歩くときや、手で掘り起こすぼくの小さな庭で仕事をするのには。そしてまた、剪定のために木に登るにはすばらしいのだ。
皮でなく布とゴムで出来たこの履き物には、大地に触れる何か特別なやり方があるのだ。

そういうことで、日本ではそれほど履かなかった古いワークブーツと、僕の大好きな地下足袋の写真がこれです。ぼくがこれらをどこで履いたかについては、個人史的エッセイ "Whisper of the Land”を読んで下さい。上記の俳句もこの本に載っています。
"http://whisperoftheland.com/buy.html

日本語版はエドワード･レビンソン著「ぼくの植え方」岩波書店刊です。ネットでどうぞ。
https://www.iwanami.co.jp/book/b264265.html

木は二つの方向に動き、生長し、奇妙なことにそれはどこにも行かない。根は奥深く地面に入るか、すくなくとも水平に広がり、深さを変えながら地下に伸び、広がって行く。しかし、幹と枝は、 さまざまな方法で環境に触れながら、上に伸び、広がる。このことが私にとって非常に象徴的である理由は簡単だ。木は地球に影響を与えている。物理的に動かず、ふつうの目には動きは見えず、ただ立っているままだが、木は生長して、世界に何かを貢献し、地球に影響を与えているのだ。この私の写真「自己の鏡」は私にとって、また他者にとって、魅力であり認識であるように願う。個人的でありながらかつ普遍的セルフポートレート.....

January 1, 2017

(see one more photo below Japanese text)

「朝に見るものは」

朝一番、あなたは何を見るだろうか？　
たぶんまだ眠いだろうが、窓から眺めると、今日はどんな天気だろうか？　
一緒に住んでいる愛する人の顔を見るだろうか？　
起きあがって、顔を洗って、たぶんお茶やコーヒーを一杯入れる。
しかしそのあとには？　

空を眺めるか？　太陽に向かうか？　
緑の木や植物、またはあざやかな色の花を見るか？　
ちょっとの間、もう一度目を閉じる、ある内面の風景を想像して。
この新しい日に挨拶し、自分自身を地につけるか、天にのぼるか、
どちらがその日のあなたに必要だろうか。

あるいは、起きるとすぐに好きなデバイスを手にし、
その世界にチェックインするか？　
私は少なくともその日の最初の１時間以上は、スクリーンを見ることを避ける。
その静かな時間が、インスピレーションの源となり、内面の声が一番入りやすい時だ。
いつも聞こえるわけではないけれど、そして時々その特別な時間を逃してしまうが、
しかし努力することは常に価値があるのだ。

参考：「ぼくの植え方」岩波書店 第1章 「あさの瞑想」

Both photos are "Zone Plate" images

"Spring Sunset" 1996 (photo from my book "Timescapes Japan" p 19
写真は「タ イ ムスケープス・ジャパン」p19より

「先生が寝る」撮影：1999
自画像。房総半島、鴨川でのピンホール写真ワークショップを教えながら撮影した。曇りの日、露光時間2分、少し昼寝しました。