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Kumano. When visiting this area centered around Nachi no taki (Waterfall of Nachi) and surrounded by the Kumano San-zan (refers to the three main shrines of Kumano), what catches the eye first is the near-perfect design of nature’s shapes and forms. Nachi no taki, with its towering height of 133 meters, the angle and velocity of the falling water, and streamlined rock surfaces, achieves design perfection unlike any other landscape and along with it emits an extraordinary amount of negative ions to a wide area of the surrounding environment. From Kumano Nachi Shrine ,beside the waterfall, one can view the seas of Katsu-ura surrounded by the mountains and during the summer and winter solstices the sun rises aligned perfectly with the center of the ocean surface that is visible from in between the mountains.

What did people witness in this area known, from before the beginning of recorded history, for its faith in the spiritual powers of Nature. How did they feel about the presence of God, and how did they make sense of it. Indeed, there is “something” in Kumano. Known as a “place of revival,” it has, attracted people to it for thousands of years. Perhaps that “something” is the inherent resolve to confront the powers of nature and to reassess one’s existence in order to embark on the journey to seek out one’s “new self.”

The photographs were shot by avid world traveler and photographer: Yayoi Arimoto. Given special permission to enter this sacred area outside of the 3-month period from March to May each year when visitors are allowed in, she visited last Fall in November. Her photographs include that of the Ni-no-taki (Second Waterfall) and its fan-shaped waterfall basin with its emerald green color. Next, venturing further to San-no-taki (Third Waterfall) she successfully captures the “miracle rainbow” - a rainbow that does not cease to appear and is the result of the perfect balance of sunlight and spray from the waterfall. The music features songs from “MimiCof” the solo project of Berlin-based female artist Midori Hirano. In addition, this volume features special interviews with three key figures who hail from and have a deep appreciation for Kumano – Head priest of Kumano Nachi Shrine, the deputy head abbot of the Seiganto Temple and Mr. Akira Okubo from the Kishu Katari-bu (Kishu Storytelling Club).