Shazendo 写禅道: pontocho (kyoto, autumn 2010)

About Shazendo

About Doraku-An

I am teaching Zen, Hitsuzendo (the Zen Way of Calligraphy with brush and ink) and Aikido. During my teenage days I was mad about photography, equipped with a set of old fashioned analogue cameras and a b&w darkroom. Inspired by my grandfather's books on photography I tried to imitate the style and atmosphere of the old masters in my early attempts.

My approach towards taking pictures has changed through two decades of Zen praxis. Technical perfection is no longer important for me, nor is the outcome of my efforts. What I appreciate is how my way of seeing changed through Zen and Photography. That is why I combine both to Shazendo, the Zen Way of Photography.

If you want to read more, please also visit my blog on Zen:

http://blog.dorakuan.de/

写禅道

The term Shazendo 写禅道 is derived from the Japanese words for a Photography - shashin 写真, and the Way of Zen - Zendo 禅道. I was inspired for creating Shazendo by an article about the Japanese Photographer Hiroshi Moritani, who declared Shado 写道, the Way of taking Pictures equivalent to other Japanese traditional Ways such as Chado 茶道, the way of tea, or Kado 華道, the Way of flower arrangement.

Like Hitsuzendo 筆禅道, the Zen Way of Calligraphy with brush and ink was developed from the Way of Writing, Shodo 書道 by transferring it into a Zen exercise, Shazendo 写禅道 emerges from Shado 写道 as a true Zen practise, the Zen Way of Photography.

pontocho (kyoto, autumn 2010) - japan roadside series