Endless Notes
The endlessly vast and beautiful natural world
The antithetical, endless human world
A photographer's notebook chronicling the current state of the environment
vol.5 Kathmandu, NEPAL
Endless Notes
The Beautiful, Endless Natural World
The Polar Opposite, the Endless Human World
A Photographer's Notebook on the Current State of the Environment
vol.5 Kathmandu, NEPAL
Beyond the beautiful landscapes, lies the Earth's "present."
In an era of advancing climate change and environmental destruction, the relationship between our lives and nature is at a major turning point.
Nature photographer Yosuke Kashiwakura has not simply captured beauty,
but has etched into his photographs the challenges facing the Earth and the signs of change.
On this page, through Kashiwakura's works,
we offer an opportunity to re-examine the diverse expressions of nature and the current state of the environment behind them.
The Earth's "present moment" behind a beautiful landscape.
In an age of advancing climate change and environmental destruction, the relationship between our lives and nature is at a major turning point.
Nature photographer Yosuke Kashiwakura has engraved in his photographs not just mere beauty, but also the challenges the Earth faces and the signs of change.
On this page, through Kashiwakura's works, we offer an opportunity to re-examine the diverse expressions of nature and the current environmental situation behind them.
volume.5 Episode of Kathmandu, NEPAL
When people hear "Nepal," many probably imagine mountainous regions like Mount Everest or the 8,000-meter peaks.
However, for me, Nepal was a labyrinth itself.
In the Asan district, a bazaar in the heart of the capital Kathmandu, a centuries-old market where daily life unfolds remains untouched. A jumble of old and new buildings are crammed together, and walking through the intricate alleys gives you the illusion of being in a labyrinth.
I felt my heart pounding not out of anxiety or fear, but out of curiosity. Strongly drawn to the lives of the people who live there, especially to the interiors of their buildings, I decided to visit the rooms of complete strangers.
When people hear "Nepal," many probably imagine mountainous regions like Mount Everest or the 8,000-meter peaks.
For me, however, Nepal was a labyrinth itself.
In the "Asan area," a bazaar known as the heart of the capital Kathmandu, a living market that has continued for hundreds of years remains largely untouched. Old and new buildings are densely packed together, and walking through the intricate alleys gives one the illusion of being in a labyrinth.
I felt a palpitation driven by curiosity rather than anxiety or fear. Strongly drawn to the lives of the people who live there, especially the interiors of their buildings, I decided to actually visit the rooms of complete strangers.
Before that, I'd like to briefly touch upon Kathmandu, the capital city dotted with World Heritage Sites. Kathmandu is a city of history and faith nestled at the foot of the Himalayas, known for World Heritage Sites such as Durbar Square, Swayambhunath, and Pashupatinath. Hinduism and Buddhism coexist here, and food culture, such as momo and dal bhat, is deeply rooted in the spice-scented markets. Kathmandu is a city where people's daily lives and prayers quietly intersect.
Among Kathmandu’s many historic districts, the Asan market is particularly vibrant. Vegetables, spices, daily necessities, and Buddhist ritual objects are sold there, and the flow of people continues from morning to night.
Buildings are packed tightly together, and countless shops are crammed into their intricate structure.
Once you enter a narrow alley, you lose your sense of direction.
As we proceeded with bated breath, the sky suddenly opened up.
Within the city is a small town, with even a large tree growing in its center.
Children were running around and playing there, and daily life was peaceful.
There was a small town within the city, with a large tree growing in its center.
There, children ran around and played, living out peaceful everyday lives.
The residences inside the building were divided vertically, with narrow staircases connecting each floor. The first floor was the kitchen, the second floor the living room, the third floor the bedroom, and the rooftop was for drying laundry.
The residences inside the building were divided vertically, with narrow staircases connecting each floor. The first floor was the kitchen, the second floor the living room, the third floor the bedroom, and the rooftop was for drying laundry.
The rooms I visited, though small, were all carefully organized and each had its own personality. I was freely shown around, seeing rooms with bold illustrations, modern and calming bedrooms, and even an overly simple shower room. The artist's home even had a studio with works in progress lined up. The rooftops of all the homes served as communal drying areas for residents, with a diverse array of laundry swaying in the breeze.
The rooms I visited, though small, were all carefully organized and each had its own personality. I was freely shown around, seeing a room with bold illustrations, a modern and calming bedroom, and a surprisingly simple shower room. The painter's home even had a studio with works in progress lined up. The rooftops of all the houses served as communal drying areas for residents, with a wide variety of laundry swaying in the breeze.
What left an impression was that family photos were always displayed. In Nepal, family time is cherished above all else. People would even change jobs if it meant working late and arriving home past a certain hour. That's how strong the family bonds are.
Ironically, however, many Nepalis earn their income by working abroad. The airport was crowded with people seeing off family members heading overseas. Many of these jobs must be dangerous. Even as a foreigner, I couldn't help but pray for their safe return.
As I was leaving the labyrinth, I looked up at the building and saw a strange sky, framed perfectly by its architecture. I suppose that, above each of our lives, there's a familiar sky that stretches out before us.
Construction was underway everywhere in the city. Old bricks were being removed one after another to make new roads. Rebar was securely integrated into buildings under construction. Perhaps measures were being taken to address the massive earthquake from the past.
I was impressed by the sight of utility poles with illegally tapped power lines extending as intricately as trees, but these days, such sights are becoming rare. It must be a sign of ongoing development. As a photographer, I feel a touch of sadness, but I also sense that it's simply the flow of time.
写真家
柏倉陽介 - Kashiwakura Yosuke -
国内外を問わず、自然に関わるテーマを精力的に撮影している。文明と野生の衝突地帯に生きるオランウータンのリハビリテーション風景を中心として、制作に15年をかけた写真集『Back to the Wild 森を失ったオランウータン』を上梓。『オランウータンと緑の津波』と題した巡回展を北海道旭山動物園、えこりん村、円山動物園にて開催した。世界最大の霊長類保護支援団体であるBOS財団が主催する「MOVING PICTURES展」をはじめ、米国立スミソニアン自然史博物館、ロンドン自然史博物館、国連気候変動枠組条約締約国会議にて作品を展示している。LensCulture Earth Awards、ナショナルジオグラフィック国際フォトコンテスト、ワイルドライフフォトグラファー・オブザイヤーなどに入賞し、Monochrome Photography Awards / ランドスケープ・フォトグラファー・オブザイヤーを受賞。Monochrome Photography Awardsの審査員も務めている。2025年より「Endless」と題した環境撮影プロジェクトを開始した。
Episode of Borneo island
Episode of Yakushima island
Episode of The Insects
Episode of Borneo island
Episode of Yakushima island
Episode of The Insects
Episode of Rebun island
Episode of Kathmandu, NEPAL