Kashōzan Ryūge-in Miroku-ji｜The Gaze Dwelling Beyond the Door

Year 2025August 2025AugustTenguGunma prefecture (Kantou area)Various SceneryShakyasan Ryuka-in Maitreya Temple
A photograph taken from outside, peering at the tengu mask inside the main hall at Kasyōzan Ryūge-in Miroku-ji Temple
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This photograph was taken at Kasyōzan Ryūge-in Miroku-ji Temple. I captured it with the feeling of peering gently from outside at the tengu mask enshrined inside the main hall. The contrast between the light outside and the stillness within was striking.The large tengu mask enshrined in the main hall possesses such a commanding presence that its power is palpable even from outside. While a direct frontal composition is effective, an angle that peeks in using the natural light from outside accentuates the shadows and highlights, resulting in a photograph with a strong sense of three-dimensionality. Additionally, the stone statue of the crow tengu within the temple grounds stands out beautifully against backgrounds of fresh greenery or autumn foliage, offering opportunities for compositions that capture both tranquility and mystery.