The origin of Gokonomiya Shrine dates back to the Heian period (794–1185). The name of the shrine is derived from a spring called “Kōnomizu” (Fragrant Water) located within the shrine grounds.
According to legend, in the year 862 (during the Jōgan era), a sweet and pleasant fragrance rose from the spring that appeared in this area. Hearing about this miracle, Emperor Seiwa named the location “Gokonomiya” (Shrine of Fragrant Water) and had the shrine built here. The fragrant water was believed to have healing and purifying properties, and even today, visitors can drink from this sacred spring.
Additionally, Gokonomiya Shrine has long been revered as the guardian deity of Fushimi, playing an important role in praying for the prosperity of the region and abundant harvests.
The main deity enshrined at Gokonomiya Shrine is Empress Jingū. Empress Jingū is a legendary figure from ancient Japanese history, known for her wisdom and bravery. She is worshiped as the goddess of war, safe childbirth, and child-rearing. The shrine is believed to provide blessings for family safety, the prosperity of descendants, and protection from misfortune.
Gokonomiya Shrine, centered on the worship of Empress Jingū, enshrines the protective deities of the Fushimi area and remains a place of deep faith for the local people.
Starting my photography journey in 1998 during my time as an expatriate in Singapore, I have now been a photographer for over 20 years. My deep affection for Kyoto is reflected in my work, which has been exhibited internationally. I am a photographer with a global perspective, dedicated to capturing the universal beauty found in the interplay of light and shadow.
My core focus is on documenting and preserving Kyoto's landscape, which is being negatively affected by the rapid increase in inbound tourism. I work across genres—from landscapes to portraits—always prioritizing the unique "essence" of the subject and the atmosphere of the moment. I am also actively engaged in international photographic expression, including photo shoots for tourists visiting Japan, exhibiting my work both domestically and abroad, and participating in cultural exchange projects.
2008年日本写真家協会（JPS）展 入選（プロ写真家への登竜門）Selected for the 2008 Japan Professional Photographers Society (JPS) Exhibition (a gateway to becoming a professional photographer)
International Exhibitions: The Japan Foundation, Los Angeles (JFLA) and the Consulate-General of Japan in New York's annual Sakura Matsuri (Cherry Blossom Festival)
The eaves of a traditional townhouse bathed in light and shadow, the stone-paved streets silent in the early morning, and the back alleys where the scent of daily life lingers.
Instead of the "Kyoto-ness" seen in tourist brochures, my mission as a photographer is to document and convey the genuine Kyoto—the lives of the people who live here and the atmosphere shaped by the passage of time.
However, this Kyoto is being quietly destroyed.
The traditional townhouses of Kyoto are not just scenery; they are a way of life.
Now, they are being sold off, along with their "memories of life," under the guise of temporary lodging businesses.
Tourism is undoubtedly a major industry that supports Kyoto. There is no denying that. However, if tourism transforms Kyoto from "a city for its residents" into "a spectacle for tourists," it becomes an act of cultural destruction.
I don't want to photograph a "tourist destination." I want to photograph a "living Kyoto," where people live, gather, and connect.
I will continue to photograph Kyoto. To document and share the "authentic Kyoto" that still remains. And I hope to contribute, even in a small way, to returning Kyoto to a place where "daily life, not tourism, is the main character."
Kyoto is not a place to see; it's a place to live.
