shadowlands

 

the last monk

 

The komusō (虚無僧, komusō, hiragana: こむそう; also romanized komusou or komuso) were a group of Japanese mendicant monks  of the Fuke school of Zen Buddhism who flourished during the Edo period of 1600–1868. 

The order went underground following reforms introduced by the post-Edo government. The last adherent disappeared mysteriously in the 1950s, since when nothing has been heard of the order.

 

Komusō were characterized by a straw bascinet (a sedge or reed hood named a tengai) worn on the head, manifesting the absence of specific ego but also used for being able to travel incognito.

 

It was very rare to catch sight of a Komusō with his mask removed.

 

 

 

postcards from the sea - no. 2

It's the second day of our Brighton adventure and Mandy and I are up bright and early. We join the steady stream of parents and children on their way to schools and supermarkets and coffee shops and the endless mundane, profoundly beautiful things that make up everyday life.

The sun shines - it's a good day to be alive and random graffiti provides the perfect backdrop.

Breakfast is taken in the rather splendid Bohemia, a bar come restaurant, come nightclub which boasts award-winning toilet facilities. Mandy explores these whilst I order a veggie special for her and a full English for me. Delicious!

During the course of our morning repast we decide to construct a series of Oblique Strategies for photographers based on the ground-breaking work of Brian Eno and Peter Schmidt in the 1970s. In essence the concept of an oblique strategy is to open a path through a creative rut or impasse.

Here's what we came up with ...

• balance on one foot 
• brag like you've got a tail
• you are now six
• just jump or skip
• turn around
• look up
• stop taking photographs
• shake a random stranger's hand
• take a picture of something that's not there
• take something yellow home with you
• put it out of focus
• take it with your eyes closed
• imagine sadness
• sit on the floor
• think pink
• just don't
• I'll show you mine if you'll show me yours

Please be advised no hallucinogenic drugs were involved in the construction of this list.

Breakfast consumed it's a leisurely stroll toward the East Pier, the rendezvous point for The Fujicast Meet. En route we take in a deserted bookstall, an itinerant Brighton & Hove Albion supporter and the water-aisle at Aldi.

The Fujicast folks are great! We soon feel at ease and before you know it we're safely ensconced in the legendary Palm Court Restaurant, chowing down on yet another plate of chips as a fascinating podcast is recorded.

 

 

 

Our post-lunch aerobic workout is a leisurely stroll traversing the length of the pier. The flashing neon-lit world of the amusement arcade awaits us at the far end.

Onward then to the shoreline, retracing our steps from yesterday evening. The sea shimmers, strangers smile, it's a happy place to be.

Time now to return to the town. We dodge in and out of the Indian summer sun, finding refuge in the shadows.

 

song

These abstract black and white photos were taken on Monday night at the MAC.  Unfocused and devoid of colour they seem all the more powerful for it.