KURASHIKI, Okayama Prefecture A “mermaid mummy” kept at a temple has been an object of worship, the stuff of nightmares and a source of mystery for hundreds of years.
A photo of a Japanese tiger beetle taken from a different angle than the one included in Yusei Hara s photo book (Provided by Yusei Hara)
TAKA, Hyogo Prefecture If it wasn t for a fly, Yusei Hara might never have got hooked on photographing insects. His intimate close-ups of bugs that often reduce humans to screaming fits are the subject of a stunning book.
“Completely contrary to my expectations, it had a very a good figure,” the Buddhist priest said.
The insect s beauty wasn t apparent to Hara when he initially pointed his camera at a flower in the garden. But then he noticed a fly perched on a leaf and snapped off a shot.