Cover photo by ばつまる
Nara is a captivating place where the scenes depicted in the Hyakunin Isshu poems still breathe life. On this journey, let's visit some of Nara's most beautiful spots and capture the landscapes beloved by poets through photography.
Each spot introduced here possesses its own unique beauty, and capturing them in photos will open up new perspectives. Capture the moments where the world of Hyakunin Isshu overlaps with modern landscapes in a single photograph.
Mount Mikasa (Wakakusa Mountain)
Photo by eriko
Poem Number 7
When I look up at the vast sky, is it the same moon that rose over Mount Mikasa in Kasuga?
Abe no Nakamaro
This poem was composed by Abe no Nakamaro, who was sent as an envoy to Tang China and was favored by Emperor Xuanzong, preventing his return for 30 years. The moon he saw upon his return was the same one that rose over Mount Mikasa at the time of his departure, evoking deep emotions about finally returning home.
Today, it is a place where you can interact with many deer, making it ideal to capture photos of the mountain's contours or views from the mountain with deer as subjects.
Yoshino
Photo by ゆらぎ
Poem Number 94
In the mountains of Yoshino, the autumn wind blows at night, making the hometown cold and touching the heart.
Sangi Masatsune
This poem describes the lonely scene of Yoshino, where once there was an imperial villa, now only the sound of beating clothes can be heard.
Yoshino is famous for cherry blossoms in spring and autumn leaves, but it is a must-visit destination for photographers, offering elegant natural landscapes in all seasons, including summer greenery and winter snow-covered mountains. It retains the atmosphere of the Southern Court from the Nanboku-chō period.
Mount Mimuro and Tatsuta River
Photo by 乙葉（OTOWA）
Poem Number 69
The autumn leaves of Mount Mimuro are blown by the wind, adorning the Tatsuta River like a splendid brocade.
Noin Hoshi
This poem literally describes the autumn leaves of Mount Mimuro being blown by the wind and flowing down the Tatsuta River, likening it to a splendid brocade.
The Tatsuta River is also mentioned in Ariwara no Narihira's poem, "Even in the age of the gods, I have never heard of such a thing as the Tatsuta River binding the water in crimson." It is a renowned spot for autumn leaves in Kansai. By incorporating the reflections of the leaves on the water surface and the shadows of the trees along the riverbank, you can create a photograph that captures the elegance of the Hyakunin Isshu.
Hatsuse (Hasedera Temple)
Photo by だいひょう
Poem Number 74
The person I longed for treated me coldly, and despite praying to the Kannon of Hasedera (Hatsuse) to become lovers, the person's attitude only grew colder.
Minamoto no Toshiyori Ason
The poem laments the cold response from a loved one, despite praying to the Kannon of Hasedera (Hatsuse) for a romantic relationship. "Mountain wind" refers to the wind blowing from the mountains, easily evoking the image of the cold north wind from Hatsuse's mountains.
Hasedera is also a famous spot for autumn leaves. When photographing at dusk, capturing the silhouettes of the temple's roof against the backdrop of autumn leaves and surrounding trees can convey a serene scene.
Why not express the beauty of solitude felt by ancient poets through your photographs?
