[About the product]
Extracts from the Introduction.
I have been taking photos for three years now. In the summer of 2018, perhaps because it was too hot, there were fewer lotus flowers blooming here at the lotus pond. The frogs were still living here as usual, but it seemed like there were more insects as well. I was able to distinguish between different types of dragonflies and even saw them emerge from their nymph stage. Did you know that marsh frogs can use mimicry? I didn't know until my third year.
One morning, I arrived at the pond and saw two frogs sitting on a yellow and black construction rope at the edge of the road to prevent them from falling into the water. They had bright yellow and black spotted patterns, and I was surprised to see that they were marsh frogs. On another day in September, when the lotus flowers had already finished blooming and the leaves had turned brown, the face of the frog there had become the same color as the withered leaves. I realized that during the summer they blend into the green of the leaves, in autumn they blend into the natural colors of the season, and then they tell us they are about to hibernate in the winter.
However, various flowers also cast shadows mercilessly over the seasons and continued to shift their colors towards autumn. As the season came to an end, I wondered if I had forgotten to take any pictures, so I thought of a nearby stream that I used to pass by. I added some pictures of the flowers that were blooming there in this book. Whenever I looked at the frogs at the lotus pond, they seemed to strike a pose for me and always had lively eyes. While gazing at the frogs and flowers, the seasons passed. I am grateful for the sight of the frogs that always soothe my heart. I hope I can see them again someday...
[Author Profile]
Teruji Ibi.
Born in 1947.
For 35 years, worked as a machine designer, mainly in the field of aviation.
Around 40 years old, briefly tried photography but had to abandon it due to being busy with work after becoming independent and starting his own business.
At the age of 55, attended a school for chiropractic therapy and opened his own chiropractic clinic, which he continues to run to this day.
In his late 60s, remembered his past interest in photography and began taking pictures of flowers as a hobby for his retirement.
In 2017, published a book called "Flower Drop" (published by Gentosha), and in 2018, published another book called "Companions of the Lotus Pond - Tree Frog" (published by Fuueisha).
20 Apr 2023 International Art Prize of Paris Awarded.
Continues to take photographs as a hobby while maintaining his primary profession.
