This photograph shows the "Daibutsu" (Giant Buddha) silently meditating in Kamakura, Japan as he has for over 750 years. It was commissioned by Yoritomo Minamoto, Japan's first Shogun, to celebrate his victory over the archrival Taira clan. Cast in bronze and weighing in at 850 tons, it originally sat inside a great hall which was washed away by a tsunami in 1495. Fortunately, being exposed to the elements for over 500 years has only added character and tranquility to the Buddha's likeness.
Sakuras (Cherry Blossom Trees), like the one in the foreground, are revered by the Japanese for their fleeting beauty as their gorgeous blossoms last for only a week or two. Due to this transitory nature of sakura blossoms and the inclement climate of the Eastern coast, it actually took three trips to Kamakura to capture this iconic Japanese image.
Whereas, I usually go to great lengths to avoid putting random groups of people into my landscape photographs, in this particular case I needed them to show scale. I also like how they naturally illustrate the reverence they still have for their "Daibutsu".
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