©Syoin Kajii, from the series NAMI

©Syoin Kajii, from the series NAMI

Niigata-based photographer Syoin Kajii’s series Nami shows a fascinating amount of depth in what would seem

a relatively simple subject: the ocean waves of Sado Island, in Japan. Kajii, who is a Buddhist monk, has managed to capture fantastic differences from one wave to another, with variations in color, texture, density, and tone, showing us that if one looks in a certain way, a massive variety exists right before us in the simplest things. After Nami, Kajii approached the subject of rivers, which he photographed all over the world for the Kawa series (one example seen below), showing us again that there is a wealth of richness in the simple things that surround us.

Kajii’s photographs were last on view at FOIL GALLERY, in Kyoto. For more about NAMI or KAWA, please see FOIL’s website.

©Syoin Kajii, from the series NAMI

©Syoin Kajii, from the series NAMI

©Syoin Kajii, from the series NAMI

© Syoin Kajii, from the series NAMI, published by FOIL, 2007.

©Syoin Kajii, from the series NAMI

©Syoin Kajii, from the series NAMI

© Syoin Kajii, from the series KAWA, Syoin Kajii, published by FOIL, 2010.

Discover More