Forty-Seven Nori

Media: photography

Number of images: 47

10 selected images shown

Print size: 20x24 inches

Execution: 2012 - 2013

Photographs of the edible seaweed called Porphyra or Nori.

Throughout history, people have harvested edible seaweed. In Edo, Japan (modern day Tokyo), in the 17th century, the locals did something different: they adapted wooden trays from paper making to turn the washed and dried seaweed into uniform rectangular shapes similar to the look of hand made paper.

This development coincided with a period of prosperity and literacy which fostered the making of books and woodblock prints. One of the visual styles which emerged at this time (and has influenced western art to this day) was Ukiyo-e, the representation in image form of the fleeting and temporal nature of life.

This series consists of photographs of the Nori with their translucency not unlike European stained glass.

A photograph based on the story of the Forty-seven rōnin

"Porphyra" or Nori, edible seaweed #1

A photograph based on the story of the Forty-seven rōnin

"Porphyra" or Nori, edible seaweed #2

A photograph based on the story of the Forty-seven rōnin

"Porphyra" or Nori, edible seaweed #3

A photograph based on the story of the Forty-seven rōnin

"Porphyra" or Nori, edible seaweed #4

A photograph based on the story of the Forty-seven rōnin

"Porphyra" or Nori, edible seaweed #5

A photograph based on the story of the Forty-seven rōnin

"Porphyra" or Nori, edible seaweed #6

A photograph based on the story of the Forty-seven rōnin

"Porphyra" or Nori, edible seaweed #7

A photograph based on the story of the Forty-seven rōnin

"Porphyra" or Nori, edible seaweed #8

A photograph based on the story of the Forty-seven rōnin

"Porphyra" or Nori, edible seaweed #9

A photograph based on the story of the Forty-seven rōnin

"Porphyra" or Nori, edible seaweed #10