Happy Father's Day - Los Angeles Travel Photographer

If you ask 100 people how a Rakan (Note 1) should look like, you get as many different answers. That’s what gave rise to 1,200 of Rakan statues that Otagi Nenbutsu-ji, the temple at the outskirt of Kyoto, Japan is well-known for.

In the 1980s, under the guidance of chief of temple Kocho Nishimura (Note 2), 1,200 everyday people, who made a pilgrimage to the temple, learned carving to bring out the unique and personal figures that were hiding in the stone, each Rakan statue possessing a particular personality with a distinctly pre-enlightened identity.

Many-Faces-of-Rakan-Otagi-Nenbutsu-Ji-Kyoto-Japan-Copyright-Jean-Huang-Photography

While walking around studying the characters covered in moss, I discovered a face completely cover with hands. Yeah, love can make you blind, I guess.

Fathers-Eyes-Covered-by-Daughter-Otagi-Nenbutsu-Ji-Kyoto-Japan-Copyright-Jean-Huang-Photography

As many faces/personalities in the world, I suspect there are varying shapes and forms of fatherhood. Since I’m only one daughter to one man, I’d leave the scientific study to the ones with access to vast amount of data.

What I wanted to say is, enjoy the Father’s Day, knowing that you’ve loved, guided and disciplined to the best of your ability.

Father-Giving-Directions-to-Daughter-Otagi-Nenbutsu-Ji-Kyoto-Japan-Copyright-Jean-Huang-Photography

Note 1 Rakan are followers (disciples) of Buddha.
Note 2 Nishimura was a Buddhist statue sculptor and restorer that later becaume a Buddhist monk. He was the chief of the temple at the time of the rakan creations.

Subscribe to Receive all Posts in the Email

* indicates required

Email Address *

First Name *

Last Name *

Email Format

• html
• text

Flying Through Thick and Thin - Los Angeles Travel Photographer

For some reason, the image of this little bird resonates with me today. Amongst the roaring storm, with no end to the difficult time in sight, the seemingly minuscule bird was determined to cut through the wind and fire to reach her destiny in fading light.

It all of sudden reminds me of another brave little bird in Iceland. Do you think our human’s fascination with flying is somehow rooted in the admiration in these tough little flying creatures?

Little-Bird-Flying-Throug-Storm-Camargue-France-Copyright-Jean-Huang-Photography

I was going to show a sequel to my “eyes in Porto, Portugal” post and I digressed. I really hope you don’t mind. This tough little bird needs a sip of margarita before facing a world of storm again.

Subscribe to Receive all Posts in the Email

* indicates required

Email Address *

First Name *

Last Name *

Email Format

• html
• text

You Are Being Watched in Porto, Portugal - Los Angeles Travel Photographer

When I travel, I skip the obvious. It’s given that Porto is well-known for its vinho do Porto. But like people, I believe a city (any city) has many layers that are waiting for the inquisitive to explore and find out.

On a leisure stroll towards Ponte de Dom Luis I, I realize there are eyes everywhere.

Watchful-Eyes-Porto-Portugal-Copyright-Jean-Huang-Photography.jpg

It makes my walk-around so much more fun. I mean, these people don’t even know they are being under the watchful eyes.

You-Are-Being-Watched-Porto-Portugal-Copyright-Jean-Huang-Photography.jpg

I felt obligated to tell them to be more cognizant. They need to follow how I am always scanning my surroundings…. until my eyes met another pair, watching ME through a “peek hole”.

Watching-Through-the-Peek-Hole-Porto-Portugal-Copyright-Jean-Huang-Photography.jpg

Now, what do I do?

Subscribe to Receive all Posts in the Email

* indicates required

Email Address *

First Name *

Last Name *

Email Format

• html
• text