A Peaceful Path

The sky was white and the light very strong as I made my way through the crowded bamboo forest of Arashiyama, in the hills of Kyoto, last September. I found a pleasant respite in the gardens of the Okochi-Sanso Villa, where the one and only path lead me to follow this woman on her visit, her bright red bag a beacon in the green oasis. Both alone, we took in the silent beauty of our surroundings and looked at the city at our feet. After a cup of macha that we sipped in silence sitting next to each other in the garden’s tea house, we both left the gardens and went our separate ways.

Alex Cuvelier