- The scenery I caught a glimpse of from the train window was what made me decide on the location for the shoot.
- I visited on a day when rain was forecast, but ended up with a spring storm
- "A chance to record rain sounds other than those from an umbrella"
- This is how the video for "Spring Storm and Cherry Blossoms" was born.
The scenery I caught a glimpse of from the train window was what made me decide on the location for the shoot.
On my daily commute to Takamatsu City on the JR Shikoku train, I often find myself idly gazing out the window.
One spring day, a sudden sight of cherry blossoms in full bloom caught my eye. The location was Niinomiya Pond .
Around this relatively quiet pond in the Setouchi region, rows of pale pink cherry blossoms swayed in the wind, and for some reason, that scene has remained unforgettable.
"I have to go and film this,"
I thought, and on a sunny day I immediately went to scout the location.
Niimiya Pond is a quiet place despite being near a residential area, and the reflection of the cherry blossoms on the pond's surface was beautiful, making it perfect for ambient video recording while walking. However, the cherry blossoms were already starting to turn into leafy trees, and I had a hunch that I would only be able to film there for a few more days.
I visited on a day when rain was forecast, but ended up with a spring storm
The theme of Setouchi Ambience's photography is "rain."
The combination of cherry blossoms and rain is a perfect match, and the soft sound of rain and the moist atmosphere of the cherry blossoms create a visually and aurally rich work.
So I checked Windy and other weather apps and revisited the area, aiming for a day with a rain forecast.
However, that day turned out to be completely contrary to the forecast.
- Suddenly, large raindrops began to fall
, strong gusts of wind rippled the surface of the pond,
and even thunder, a rare occurrence in the Setouchi region...
I originally wanted to take photos near the cherry blossom trees, but the wind and rain were so strong that I couldn't leave the nearby rest area.
The wind was so strong that even with an umbrella, I felt like I was going to be blown away, and protecting my equipment became my top priority.
"A chance to record rain sounds other than those from an umbrella"
Normally, I like to utilize the sound of rain falling on an umbrella, so I record while walking in the rain. However, on this day, the sounds of rain bouncing off the roof, pillars, and ground of the rest area blended together in a complex way, creating a sound like "a multi-layered natural rain sound."
"There are sounds that can only be recorded here, without having to go outside."
Realizing this, I decided not to rush outside, but to stay in the rest area and record from there.
The cherry blossoms swaying across the pond retained their beauty despite being battered by the heavy rain, and the contrast between their appearance and the sound was very impressive.
This is how the video for "Spring Storm and Cherry Blossoms" was born.
The video I'm introducing today was captured through a series of fortunate coincidences and careful decisions.
It turned out quite differently from the "gently rainy cherry blossoms" I had originally envisioned, but I think I was able to record a valuable aspect of the fierce spring storms in the Seto Inland Sea.
I hope you will enjoy the fleeting world created by the spring storm with your ears and eyes.
