Color photographs are often much prettier, and certainly they are more common now.
But I still prefer to shoot the Japanese Autumnn in black and white ,
especially the rice fields, the susuki (sword grass), the persimmon trees,
the sardine-shaped clouds, and the track and field events.
I hope you enjoy these photos of Japan in Autumn.
To me they have a beauty.
Providing the coal supply was heavy work, even for a small engine like the type C12.
I am thinking, "Thank you for all your hard work.
We need you to make the steam locomotive run."
The new poles for the coming electrification of the railways were being put up on Kure line when this photo was taken.
Summer came early that year.
The two separate words "Autumn" and the name of this place, "Aki," are written with different Chinese characters;
but both words are pronounced exactly the same.
"Aki" [it sounds like "hockey"].
It's a little pun.
I'm smiling at myself.
The cloud formation which sybolizes the Japanese Autumn is called "Iwashigumo" and means [sardine-shaped clouds].
I went back to this place six times in two years to get this one picture.
"Why?"
you ask me.
Well, you can always take a picture of smoke coming out of a steam locomotive if it has a head of steam up.
A good picture is especially easy if there is a slope in the road bed.
But, just as the total amount of steam is important for a good plume, also the air temperature has a big influence.
Mother nature determines the way that steam and smoke hang in the air, and the shape that the plume or the cloud takes.
So, I have often had to make many trips back to the same spot in order to get just one satisfactory picture like this.
But then, when you get it, you are very happy.
"I would like four lunches, please."
"Yes ...
here you are ..
that will be 400 yen, please, sir ...
I thank you."
(3.30 dollars)
Many passengers on the "Wakayama" line are going to visit "Koyasan".
"Kouya-san" is in northeastern Kouya-cho of Wakayama Prefecture, and the elevation is 850m [2800 ft].
Koyasan is a sacred place of "Shingonshu," which is one sect of the Japanese form of Buddhism.
The high priest "Kukai" introduced "Shingonshu" to Japan from China in 806.
Alhough Japan has many areas with Susuki (sword grass) in the landscape, the Susuki along the Kansai line is my favorite.
How can a man be in love with grass?
The beauty of the Susuki makes it easy.
I don't go very often to take pictures of "event trains".
This is where special runs are scheduled so that train buffs can see and ride the old locomotives again.
Because a steam locomotive seems to be somewhat "on dislay" for the event, I feel them to be helpless and pitiful.
I like to see the strong horse pulling his big wagon in the field ...
not in the parade with a little wagon with ribbons.
I makes me sad, so I don't go.
The Coal Supply
The "Aki" Express (The C62 type in doubleheader)
The Clouds
A Pilgrimage Train
In Late Autumn
The Event Train "Yagyugo"
osaka@slnet.gr.jp
