Trees trimmed and tended
Nature’s perfection enhanced
By the hand of man

Photo by Robert George

This rice-straw wrapper protects the bark of a tree in Hama Rikyu Koen, the Detached Palace Garden. Originally a hunting preserve for the Tokugawa Shogunate, Hama Rikyu is one of Tokyo’s most opulent gardens, located in the Ginza district on an island connected to the mainland by the Nanmon Bridge which arches over an ancient walled moat. The garden features exquisite topiary, moon-watching pavilions and a salt-water tide pool.

Shilded from evil By only a rice straw hat I go to beg alms Photo by Robert George Buddhist monks in training walk the streets of Japan collecting alms as a means of practicing humility. Clothed in traditional robes and bowl-shaped rice straw hats to shield them from the temptations of the flesh, they provide [...]

The structure is cold Glass and steel form inner space For life to emerge Photo by Robert George. The image of a Japanese mask is superimposed on the lofty framework of the Tokyo International Forum. The vision of South American architect Rafael Vinoly, who won an international competition for the contract to design the structure, [...]