Toji-in (2C-62)

William concentrated on composing this garden in such a way as to enable the viewer to focus on the important elements near the center of the image.  So many different elements clustered in the same area make it seem busy, but the stone bridge and rocks at the edge of the pond and in the distance have a bluish hue, offering respite and calm. They were carefully placed there by the famous garden designer, Muso Soseki, and by including these stones in his composition, William guides our eyes in a circular movement around the garden and beyond. Both the reflection of the sky on the surface of the pond and the partially visible pathway to the right give us a way out, of reaching beyond what we can immediately see. All the images in this Spring Series were taken from William’s last photo trip to Japan.