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Lotus
In Lotus , Kaz Tanahashi and photographer Alan Baillie provide a super-close-up view of one of world culture's most famous flowers. Baillie's carefully assembled collection of photographs of the lotus capture the legendary flower throughout its "life," as it from seed to brilliant flower, and finally, into dust. Some of Baillie's photographs rival the best of the genre; these are truly "classical" in their approach. But he also provides a wholly fresh view, providing surprising images from each stage of the lotus's existence. Readers will alternate between swooning, and exclaiming, "I can't believe that's a flower!"
Editor Kaz Tanahashi, an expert of Asian cultures and storytelling, offers the perfect complement to the photography here. His introductory frontmatter tells of the lotus' prominence in various cultures, and the mystical and practical meanings that the flower continues to embody. Next to appear are his carefully selected poetry and prose-extractions, chosen to match Baillie's photographs, on facing pages. Each illuminates the other, making Lotus a gratifying way to relax, please the eyes, and feed the mind.
Editor Kaz Tanahashi, an expert of Asian cultures and storytelling, offers the perfect complement to the photography here. His introductory frontmatter tells of the lotus' prominence in various cultures, and the mystical and practical meanings that the flower continues to embody. Next to appear are his carefully selected poetry and prose-extractions, chosen to match Baillie's photographs, on facing pages. Each illuminates the other, making Lotus a gratifying way to relax, please the eyes, and feed the mind.
128 pages, Paperback
First published March 14, 2006
6 people want to read
About the author
Allan Baillie
55 books14 followersAllan Baillie was born in Scotland but has lived most of his life in Australia, where he attended several Victorian bush schools and eventually settled in Melbourne. He has worked as a journalist and published books in fourteen countries.
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Displaying 1 of 1 review
June 28, 2013
The photographs are stunning in their exquisite beauty. The poetry sublime. If you get the chance to read it, do. You won't be disappointed.
Last Thursday (9 August 2012) I was invited to a small dinner party in the mountains, Idaho Springs, Colorado.. It was there that I met the author of this book. Kaz was most charming and serene in his essence. It was a delight to sit beside him on the sofa as he read a passage from this book. (He also shared a two volume book that he recently completed: Treasury of the True Dharma Eye: Zen Master Dogen's Shobo Genzo, Two-Volume Slipcased Edition
by Dōgen, Kazuaki Tanahashi. He confided that it took him over 50 years to translate the Buddhist teachings from Japanese & Chinese to English.)
Last Thursday (9 August 2012) I was invited to a small dinner party in the mountains, Idaho Springs, Colorado.. It was there that I met the author of this book. Kaz was most charming and serene in his essence. It was a delight to sit beside him on the sofa as he read a passage from this book. (He also shared a two volume book that he recently completed: Treasury of the True Dharma Eye: Zen Master Dogen's Shobo Genzo, Two-Volume Slipcased Edition
by Dōgen, Kazuaki Tanahashi. He confided that it took him over 50 years to translate the Buddhist teachings from Japanese & Chinese to English.)
Displaying 1 of 1 review