ARTICLES
A wide range of works filled with the charms of Hokkaido! Winners of the "Hokkaido Heritage Photo & Tanka Challenge 2024" announced!
Photo Division Grand Prix & Runner-up Grand Prix
Grand Prix
Shigezo Hayashi / The Land of Untold Stories
Subject / Location / Period
Shakotan Peninsula and Cape Kamui / Cape Kamui, August 2022
Comments
While preparing to shoot "Candle," a collaboration of Kamui Rock and the sun in spring and autumn, I unexpectedly encountered a dramatic scene of an "angel's ladder" spreading across the sky. I photographed the scene while thinking of a secret story handed down in the area.
Jury Critique
The bold yet soft glow and the golden color that remains between the dark clouds are the highlights of this work. Sometimes it is difficult to find a satisfactory scene no matter how many times you visit the same place, but this time you were able to capture the exact moment. It takes not only luck but also sensitivity to recognize it. The shape of the Kamuiwa, which gives the impression of upward movement, is also alive.
Runner-up
Kazuharu Hirata / mikuni no aki
Subject / Location / Period
Tokachi Mimata Sea of Trees / Mikuni Pass, October 2021
Comment
After staring at the weather forecast, I went to Mikuni Pass after the rain. The morning sun lit up the peak of the autumn leaves, and the sea of clouds was in a perfect position.
Judges' Comment
The sea of trees seen from Mikuni Pass is one of the most popular spots for camera enthusiasts. While there are similar shots, this one is good because the photographer took advantage of a great shutter opportunity. It is good that a small part of the overwhelmingly powerful sea of trees is highlighted by the morning sun, and the composition of the Matsumi Ohashi Bridge, a symbol of modern architecture, is reflected in the image without being too assertive. It is a dramatic work.
Kinue Ezaki / Solitary
Subject / Location / Period
Notsuke Peninsula and Uchise-bune / Notsuke Peninsula, Todowara, February 2021
Comment
The Todowara trees are a valuable part of the peninsula, which is decreasing and disappearing year by year. The tree that existed at the time of the photo shoot is now rotting away and no longer exists, and I am reminded of the power of photography to document.
Judges' Critique
A single, leafless, unreliable tree stands firm with the setting sun shining beside it. It is a picturesque scene, isn't it? The bright red snowfield is magnificent, and the photo has the look of Hokkaido in winter. The composition of the picture is well balanced, with some shadows in the foreground and a blackened area in the center, and the composition is refined.
Tanka Division Grand Prix and Runner-up Grand Prix
Grand Prix
Yusuke Endo
I would like to propose to you that we compete without reading the first phrase of the proposal, which is a kind of "uta-tsuru-ta" style.
■Subject
Karuta of the lower part of the verse
Comment
When I used to enjoy playing competitive karuta, I became friends with a female karuta player from Hokkaido, and through her I learned about Shimonokyu karuta. She got married to another karuta player (not from Shimonokyu karuta), but I heard it was a reverse proposal. It was interesting to think that ordinary karuta must have been embarrassing for her, and I decided to write a song about it.
Jury Critique
The idea of combining the lower part of the verse with a marriage proposal is good. Bringing the theme to the bottom of the verse is a skillful way to create a poem.
Runner-up
Tetsu Nakamura
I have fallen in love with so many Koshimizu's kissing flowers are swaying in the wind.
Subject
Wakka / Koshimizu wildflower garden
Comment
I traveled from Shiretoko to Koshimizu in June this year. I have wanted to visit this area since I was a student (more than 50 years ago). As I looked out over the Okhotsk Sea from the hills of Koshimizu, my heart was filled with memories of the past and the many people who have passed through the area, and I felt as if the Yezoensis flowers waving goodbye, goodbye.
Judges' Critique
The proper noun part, which could have been used in any way, is completed with "Koshimizu no kisuge," showing stability. Shirabe is good.
Toshihiko Matsumoto
The sky that I looked up at while almost being sucked into its blue is also a different blue
Subject
Lake Mashu
Comment
I visited Lake Mashu more than 30 years ago on my honeymoon. We toured many places in Hokkaido, but the blue of Lake Mashu remains the most memorable to this day. It was blue, but it was a different kind of blue. When I looked up at the sky, it was the usual sky. It is also blue, but it is a familiar blue. That is why the blue of Lake Mashu will always remain in my memory.
Judges' Critique
The magnificent image is vividly spread out. The use of refrain to make each "blue" look like a different color is skillful.
