I went to take photographs of the Tohoku area one year after the earthquake disaster. I decided to take them in series while trailing the shoreline, the border between land and sea.
Though I saw many disheartening things, the ocean’s color was beautiful as ever.

In Japanese Shintoism, it is believed that nature has 2 spirits.
The first is the Nikitama. This is nature’s kind, gentle power.
The second is Aramitama, with the power to curse people. This is also said to represent God’s anger.
Our ancestors are grateful for both of these 2 faces, and by praying to them, have overcome many crises.
This is perhaps the reason that there are many shrines and temples along the ocean fronts in Japan.

When walking along the border between the ocean and land, sometimes the wind is so strong that you feel you will be bowled over by it.
The wind that cuts through you seems to erase the border between the body and the environment.
Having the feeling that you are melting into nature is very gratifying. Only the sound of the wind and the dry sharp sound of the shutter can be heard.

Photographer: Reiji Ohe
Website : http://www.reijiohe.com/
※The city in the pictures is Ohe’s hometown, Shiogama City. The Shiogama festival from September 13 to September 23 showcased the photos.