Guardians of the Past

Pictures of past principals in an abandoned elementary school, Nara

Prefecture, Japan.

Jack, this image gave me goosebumps; it is full of emotion.  Clearly the environment displayed here is a storage facility, which itself does not necessarily an atmosphere of caring for items stored there.  However, there are portraits of five persons who obviously played a role in the education of children.  They are honored by the presence of a chalice on a student desk.  

Amazing work . . .

The one on the right is staring at the cup, he might had something to do with it, the rest are looking at us,or the pupils should i say, reminding them their "duty".
Excellent moody work Jack.

Jack,  This is an amazing capture indeed! and the chalice so significant! I would say a cup for merit and the very best... But, don't say that standing there didn't remind you of that excellent teacher you had in the fifties, I think we all had and we remember them with a special emotion. Anyway, great subject and atmosphere. The lighting, composition, framing are also superb as usual.

Quiet but so evocative and powerful the longer you look at it.  This is why I feel you (and others on PN) are a kindred spirit.  It's not about the immediate and shallow "Wow!".  It's about the feeling, the emotion, the thought, the sense of place, even if that sense of place takes us to a world that does not exist.  Not sure if I'm making sense, Jack, but I hope you know what I mean.

Do you know the reason behind the abandonment?

Thanks you all for your interesting reactions to this picture. Japan has one of the lowest birth rates in the developed world (along with Italy, if you can believe it!). As in many other countries, this aging of the population is exacerbated by an exodus of young people to the big cities and their suburbs. It's not unusual to come upon villages with growing numbers of abandoned houses as their elderly owners pass away. Schools throughout Japan have been effected by the changing demographics as well. This large elementary school once held upwards of 400 students but was closed about 10 years ago, abandoned and left to fall into decay. The roof leaks and the floors are gradually rotting away. It stands there as testament to economic realities and changing values The emptying out of the countryside and the increased urbanization of the country is a serious problem that has engendered little discussion and even fewer solutions.

I don't want to get too windy but I also would like to comment on something Steve said. He referred to the photographers on photonet as "kindred spirits" and at least with the photographers I follow, this is true. I like people who don't simply accept the latest pronouncements but have an innate curiosity about their world and go out to see, experience and capture the world for themselves. With our photography and commentary we effect others and are effected in turn. When this place is lively, so am I. That's the power of a creative community.

Well done and an eye-opener. It caused me to do some additional research and you may be interested in this link.

Tony, your documentation show a terrible sad reality.  As for Jack you are an inspiration for a conscience reminder on the object and purpose of photography.

Like the images of my parents and grand parents en so on form the lineage of my life and my  children's future life. Owing those respect who where born, lived and passed. Those men and women who gave us our lives. One of your always surprising and unusual images you offer us.

Thank you,

Herman

Jack,

  Wonderful image, it looks like you have brought history back to life.  As I have said many times I love the way you see.  Take care, Patsy

The cup or "chalice" on the right finally takes the picture into a higher realm, I think.

--Lannie

This is an interesting sort of revival in a way. It revives the reverence these men were held in for the few of us that see the image. It reminds me of how ephemeral we humans are and how we try to resist that.