Gezicht op de Tokusui-in tuinen in Kyoto, Japan before 1893

This gelatin silver print presents a view of the Tokusui-in gardens in Kyoto by Kazumasa Ogawa. The photograph, subdued in tone, captures a scene where architecture and nature meet, reflected in still water. The composition is carefully balanced; the building nestles amongst trees, their forms mirrored in the pond’s surface, creating a sense of depth and tranquility. Ogawa’s choice of gelatin silver allows for a wide tonal range, essential in capturing the subtleties of light and shadow. The textures of foliage and the architectural details are rendered with clarity, giving form to the tranquil atmosphere. Semiotically, the garden setting becomes a signifier of harmony. The mirror image in the water is not just a duplication, but a comment on perception and reality. It invites us to contemplate the layered meanings embedded within the visible world. This duality challenges any singular interpretation, suggesting that truth is multifaceted and always subject to reflection.