Slow Photography #50 No Buddha Photographs: Shivering in Nikko, Japan
NO PICTURES OF THE BUDDHA ? Shivering in the below-freezing January temps, we walked up the mountain road on an overcast day. A sign outside the shrine instructed all: "No pictures of the Buddha." OK, so how come? Making my way through the shrine entrance to the quiet hall with its thick walls, I left my shoes at the door, and skated across the polished wood floor on chilled sock-clad feet. I was met by three Buddhas. All three wooden statues were smiling. Perhaps they were enjoying their off-camera existence or inhaling the blend of incense, mildew and lacquer in the room. The Buddhas were magnificent; each figure was covered in gold leaf. Collectively, they represented the three sacred mountains in the Nikko area. It was slowly becoming clear why photography was taboo. As I passed through the entrance gate, or Yomeimon, the detail of its construction was stunning. T he Yomei-mon is one of the most elabo- rately finished examples of the sev