We finally got some proper snow last night and woke up to the most beautiful winter wonderland you can imagine. The snow looked soft and fluffy, the temperature was comfortable and the sun was shining bright. After clearing off cars and stairs, and getting our boys off to school, I decided to go into the woods with our dog Clementine, a black Labrador mix. She absolutely loves the snow, and I always try to find places where hardly anyone else walks so I can let her run off leash. She jumps, she hops, she sniffs, she runs, she stops to turn around and wait for me, and then runs some more.
When we arrived at the parking lot, I walked her on the leash for a while until I was certain that no one else was close by, and then I let her run. We turned right onto a path, or what usually is the path if it’s not covered by several inches of snow. As we walked deeper into the woods, I felt like I was slowly entering into a different world where no one has ever been before, bathing and soaking in all the beauty, peace and silence.
I have recently become fascinated with Japanese culture. Ever since I learnt about the Japanese art of Kintsugi that I referred to in a previous post, I have tried to find and read about some other Japanese practices. While researching, I came across the Japanese term Shinrin - Yoku which literally translates to forest bathing. Forest therapy (or forest bathing) broadly means “taking in, through all of one's senses, the forest atmosphere”. It is not simply a walk in the woods, but a conscious and contemplative practice of being immersed in the sights, sounds and smells of the forest.
According to Wikipedia:
The term shinrin-yoku was coined in 1982 by Tomohide Akiyama, who was the director of the Japanese Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries. After several studies were conducted in Japan during the 1980s, forest bathing was seen to be an effective therapy method. Akiyama knew of these studies along with the findings that showed the beneficial health effects of the compounds, such as phytoncides, and of the essential oils that certain trees and plants emitted. Thus, he officially put forward shinrin-yoku as a recognized practice, promoting its benefits to the Japanese public and establishing guidelines for its implementation.
Shinrin-yoku was developed as a response to the increasing urbanization and technological advancements in Japan, and was put forth to inspire the Japanese public to reconnect with nature within Japan and as a means to protect the forests. It was reasoned that if people spent time in forests and were able to find therapeutic comfort within it, they would want to protect it.
Earlier this week, I was reminded once more how important it is to make more room for play and surprise in your creative process. I had already been experimenting with frozen portraits (covering an image with water and sticking it in the freezer). So, this morning, before I went outside, I decided to bring my camera and some old family photographs and embrace spontaneous creativity.
The following images are the results of engaging in forest bathing and embracing play and surprise while taking photographs. I had so much fun playing and creating snow and ice portraits of my maternal grandmother when she was young. She passed away too soon when I was four and, to this day, my mother tells me that I look like her. Sometimes I can see it.
Unfortunately, Clementine also wanted to have fun in her way, and became a bit impatient by my pauses to work on these photos. Like freshly-fallen snow mingling with nearly century-old images, bathing in the forest reminds us of the movement and life outside of us - time, seasons, and even dogs.
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It means a lot!
Manuela
I am so in love with that second photo! This is a great series, Manuela!
So happy for you and your dog you got some snow! I don’t know a single dog who doesn’t go nuts about it! =)
I am too fascinated by all the different Japanese concepts like forest bathing and wabi sabi. They just speak too me and inspire me very much!
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Very creative. Well done! 👍