Smithsonian magazine's 22nd Annual Photo Contest | Made possible through the support of MPB.com

18th Annual Smithsonian Magazine Photo Contest Altered Images
Gate of god

Deep in the forest where no one can enter, wrapped in the dark, you can hear the cry of insects and birds—the whisper of plants brushing against the wind. I feel fear in the darkness of the night. Himebotaru, which is an indigenous firefly species of Japan, fly around the summer forest while repeating a blink of a short time—reminiscent of Christmas illumination. The females cannot fly, only the males. The sight is fantastic enough to forget the awe of the night forest. It is the brightness of life for only ten days of the summer. Forests are living things. They are a precious existence that people should not threaten. I just hope that this forest and its fireflies will be protected. The other side of the rope is a god area. Only the large cedar tree to which the rope is tied is a mutant that grew while twisting. I do not know what the cause is, but it may mean that something is in this place.

Photo Detail
Date Taken: 07.2019
Date Uploaded: 11.2020
Photo Location: Yamagata, Japan
Copyright: © KAZUAKI KOSEKI