Japan : A decade of pictures

This book is a compilation of more than 100 trips to Japan during the last decade. I hope I managed to capture the fascination with Japan from the point of view of the proverbial "Gaijin".

It is a country cemented in strict social protocols and order, even within a seemingly constant hubbub. A society that welcomes guests as long as you respect its tradition while maintains its distance with an invisible yet unbending yardstick. Japan is a photographer's delight with its high aesthetic sense ("wabi"), within the belief in the artistic integrity of the imperfection ("sabi"), practical beauty ("Shibui") and the innuendo of such ("Yugen").

It is almost too easy to capture intriguing and pleasing images.

At the same time, trying to keep the integrity of the four pillars above is a humbling experience, especially for someone who is merely a guest in this prepossessing country. This book is published in black & white, even though the images were originally captured in color, as a homage to the distinct style of Japanese photographers and photo-books which are still ever so popular in Japan.