蓮は神聖、再生などの言葉とよく結びつけられる。仏教の極楽浄土信仰や、泥水に濡れないという特殊な葉の性質がその理由である。

でもそれらは後付けの知識だ。私にとって蓮が広がるレンコン畑は、純粋に興味を惹かれる場所だった。何度も何度もそこに通っているうちに、ある季節、ある天候において、そこはさらに気持ちをかき立てられる場所になると気づいた。それ以来、「真夏の台風が近づき、強風域に入った日」限定で蓮を撮影する活動を続けている。

緑が一面に広がる中、三脚をセットする。風音が響き始めると、大きく開いた蓮の葉が順に閉じて、前後左右に騒めきが走る。ファインダーの中の動的な現前をシャッターで分断していく。揺れる蓮華を見つめると、視線を投げ返されたように感じる。畑という営為の中にいても、ただ受け身なだけの自分に気づく。

Lotus is often associated with the concepts such as “sacred” and “rebirth.”  This is owing to the Buddhist belief in Paradise (Pure Land) and the distinctive nature of the leaves, which do not get wet in muddy water.

But these are just afterthoughts.  For me, the lotus field, with its lotus leaves spreading, was a place of pure interest.  As I went there over and over again, I noticed that in a certain season and a weather condition, it became the place that stirred my heart even more.  Since then, I have continued to photograph the lotus field exclusively “on the days when a typhoon in midsummer is approaching with the site being in the high wind range.”

I set up my tripod amidst an expanse of greenery.  As the sound of the wind begins to echo, the large open lotus leaves close one by one, creating a commotion back and forth and from side to side.  My shutters continue to split up the dynamic presence appeared in the viewfinder.  When I stare at the lotus flowers swaying in the breeze, I feel as if my gaze had been thrown back at me.  I find myself merely passive despite I am in the midst of the dynamic activity of the field.