Stillness holds a revered place in Japanese Buddhism and art. It is integral to both spiritual and aesthetic experiences. In the Buddhist tradition, stillness is seen as a path toward enlightenment, achieved through meditation and contemplative reflection. Japanese art often portrays this concept through serene landscapes and figures.

This project's title is an homage to Jun'ichirō Tanizaki's seminal "In Praise of Shadows"ᅳa 1933 essay that examines the importance of subtlety in Japanese aesthetics. In this visual essay, I consider stillness as another critical element of the Japanese aesthetic. While photographing, I look for a peaceful state of mind and a connection to the natural world, hoping to transport this stillness to the images and those who view them.

This new work in progress started in October of 2022. A selection of photographs from the series can be viewed on this page. As the project progresses, many more images will be added, and some will be removed as part of the editing process. Editioned prints from this series are available for purchase.