Autumn rain falls on a quiet mountain temple. On our left stands a temple building, the open front door revealing shadows within; just past and on the right is a bell tower, shuttered against the elements. A tree, its branches carrying a thinning batch of orange leaves, reaches out over the puddles forming in the uneven courtyard; just beyond the temple are the shadows of more trees. Above, the sky is slate-gray and overcast, and rain continues falling steadily across the scene. The space seems deserted and still, with no humans visible.

Autumn rain falls on a quiet mountain temple. On our left stands a temple building, the open front door revealing shadows within; just past and on the right is a bell tower, shuttered against the elements. A tree, its branches carrying a thinning batch of orange leaves, reaches out over the puddles forming in the uneven courtyard; just beyond the temple are the shadows of more trees. Above, the sky is slate-gray and overcast, and rain continues falling steadily across the scene. The space seems deserted and still, with no humans visible.

A bright autumn afternoon in Tochigi Prefecture. In the foreground, a watermill stands at the edge of a stone-reinforced embankment bordering a stream. At the end of a narrow stone walkway extending into the water, a female figure crouches low, washing something in a bucket. Just beyond, leaves of tall trees are turning yellow and orange with the season; further on, a group of houses block the horizon. Above, a few white clouds cross a blue sky.

A bright autumn afternoon in Tochigi Prefecture. In the foreground, a watermill stands at the edge of a stone-reinforced embankment bordering a stream. At the end of a narrow stone walkway extending into the water, a female figure crouches low, washing something in a bucket. Just beyond, leaves of tall trees are turning yellow and orange with the season; further on, a group of houses block the horizon. Above, a few white clouds cross a blue sky.

A bright full moon shines though a break in the clouds, casting silvery moonlight over the calm water and little islands scattered across Matsushima Bay. On our right, two shadowy figures pilot a small wooden boat away from one of the islands. Beyond the calm bay, low mountains cross the horizon, hazy and indisctinct in the evening light.

A bright full moon shines though a break in the clouds, casting silvery moonlight over the calm water and little islands scattered across Matsushima Bay. On our right, two shadowy figures pilot a small wooden boat away from one of the islands. Beyond the calm bay, low mountains cross the horizon, hazy and indisctinct in the evening light.