I am honored to present my work at KYOTOGRAPHIE International Photography Festival.
My exhibition will be held from April 25 to May 3 📸✨
During the Golden Week season, more than 200 photographers will present exhibitions throughout Kyoto. The theme of my work is:
“The light that exists only in that single moment.”
The seasons of Japan, nature, and the landscapes I encountered on my journeys—
all of them are fleeting, never to appear in the same way again.
I gather these ephemeral moments and piece them together,
like fragments of stained glass—
sometimes embedding them into shoji screens,
sometimes expressing them through resin and acrylic—
exploring multiple forms of visual expression.
Layers of Light — Stained Glass and Shoji!! Windows of Light where East meets West
A defining feature of this exhibition is the fusion of Western stained glass aesthetics with traditional Japanese shoji.
By layering transparent photographs, I create what I call “layers of light.”
When light passes through them, the images are transformed—no longer just photographs, but immersive landscapes.
Each piece becomes a small window.
Beyond it lies the sea, forests, animals, the sky, sunrise and sunset 🌳🌊🐶🌅
When these scenes overlap with your own memories and emotions, they begin to take on new meaning within you.
Nature of Japan as a Form of Prayer
Japanese nature is both delicate and powerful, carrying a quiet yet undeniable pulse of life. Since ancient times, people in Japan have lived in reverence of nature— respecting it, fearing it, and coexisting with it. The seasons continuously shift, as light and shadow intertwine, gently reminding us of the preciousness of the present moment. This body of work is also a record of that ongoing dialogue.
Soft Japanese Light — Folding Screen Works
In my folding screen pieces, transparent photographs are embedded into shoji panels, featuring scenes of the four seasons, shrines and temples, and Mount Fuji 🇯🇵✨ Placed upon tatami flooring, the space is filled with soft, diffused light that evokes a sense of nostalgia and warmth. This is not merely something to observe— it is an experience of being enveloped by light and space. By viewing these works alongside the stained glass pieces, you may also sense a quiet dialogue between Western and Japanese expressions of light.
Landscapes of Memory and Their Stories
The works in this exhibition are not simply landscapes.
Each one holds a story.
■ Enoshima — A Place I Return To
As a high school student, I would ride my motorcycle without purpose, heading toward the sea at night. The sound of the waves and the scent of the ocean felt strangely comforting. It was also the place of my first long-distance date— awkward conversations and silences that somehow felt gentle. Though the scenery has changed over time, whenever I stand here, my mind becomes calm. The stillness of sunrise, the lingering glow of sunset, the presence of night— before I knew it, this place had become somewhere I return to.
■ Aogashima — Rediscovering the Beauty of the World
There is a place that made me truly feel that this world is beautiful—Aogashima. This remote island, difficult even to reach, holds a rare double caldera landscape. One evening, a local stopped and offered me a ride— not in the seat, but in the back of a small truck. As I stood there, surrounded by wind and sunset, time seemed to slow. In that moment, a thought quietly arose within me: “This world is truly beautiful.”
■ Aokigahara Forest — A Forest Guided by Chance
Aokigahara is often associated with fear or unease. But my encounter with this forest began through a strange coincidence. I met a man at Lake Saiko, and later that night, I found him featured in a magazine as a guide of the forest. This unexpected connection led me into Aokigahara. What I found there was entirely different from what I had imagined— trees rooted in volcanic rock, silence that absorbs sound, and fragments of light filtering through the dense green. It felt as though I was standing at the boundary between worlds.
■ Sakura — From Hobby to Ikigai
Cherry blossoms marked the moment when photography became more than a hobby for me. Through sharing my work online, I connected with a young girl overseas who deeply loved Japan and spoke of her dreams. Through her words, I realized the value of what I had been capturing.
■ Kyoto — Carrying Unfulfilled Dreams
One day, I received a request: “Please photograph the streets of Kyoto.” Behind it was the story of a young man who loved Japan deeply but passed away before ever visiting. His friend traveled to Kyoto with his belongings, determined to carry on his dream.
Conclusion
Photography is not merely a record. It carries unspoken emotions, and delivers feelings that never reached their destination. At times, it can quietly touch someone’s life. Whether or not you find this work beautiful— that is something only your heart can decide. If these “windows of light” awaken something within you, your own memories, your own emotions— then this exhibition is complete. I invite you to experience being surrounded by light and landscape. 📷✨
▲KG＋Official website
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