Glimmering lanterns,
Japanese night festival,
Joy in darkness shines.
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In the hushed embrace of a Japanese night, Amidst the lanterns' soft and golden light, A summer festival comes alive with glimmer, Where dreams and wonder gleam and shimmer.
The yukatas sway like blooming flowers, In the breeze that whispers through the hours, As paper lanterns dance in graceful flight, Painting the darkness with hues so bright.
The scent of yakitori fills the air, And laughter weaves its magic everywhere, With joyous hearts and spirits unencumbered, Under the moon's watch, the night is numbered.
In this enchanting realm of festal delight, The soul finds solace and the heart takes flight, For in each glimmer, a moment's delight, In Japanese summer nights, memories alight.
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Each section of the artwork holds its very own meaning.
The top panel reflects the history, showcasing a Nebuta (giant warrior-shaped paper lantern) symbolizing pride and Summer in Japan.
The central panel portrays dreams through three layers:
Moon - represented the silhouette of a girl in a kimono standing in front of a traditional circular rice paper window.
Joy - Fireworks launched during the festivals. Meticulously placed to fit into the girl’s silhouette to depict her joy for the Summer days.
Stars - Tokyo's nighttime cityscape, the background layer that through glimmering city lights emulates stars in the night sky.
The lower panel represents the souls, with hundreds of lamps illuminating the path where endless silhouettes perpetually walk, akin to the concept of "glimmer."
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- By: Ilan Derech
- Location: Kyoto, Japan
- Shot on: Leica Q2 // Leica SL with ZEISS 1.4/35
- Year: 2023
