PRIÈRE Mikiya Takimoto

*Available only in Europe

Mikiya Takimoto, a photographer active at the forefront of various fields, presents his first new works in a decade with the simultaneous release of two volumes: LUMIÈRE / PRIÈRE.

The year 2020 forced the world into isolation due to the COVID-19 pandemic, confining people to limited spaces. During that autumn, Takimoto exhibited his work at Myomanji Temple—founded in 1389—as part of the KYOTOGRAPHIE 2020 international photography festival. There, he encountered the Buddhist term Enyu (the perfect harmonious blending of all things without hindrance). While engaging with the serene architecture and gardens of the temple, he felt himself becoming part of a continuous flow of time stretching from centuries past to the present.

Over the following three years, he visited various temples on foot, a journey that culminated in the series PRIÈRE (meaning "prayer" in French). Through this work, Takimoto reflects on the cycle of life and the coexistence of living beings with the planet. Through his lens, viewers can vicariously experience the tranquil and gentle atmosphere of ancient temples that briefly reclaimed their original serenity during the period of travel restrictions and self-restraint.

The book’s design is by Yuri Suyama. Every page uses "Vent Nouveau," a premium printing paper that balances high-quality image reproduction with a rich, tactile texture. The cloth-bound cover features a daisen (a traditional title label) and foil stamping. To faithfully recreate the original tones, the work was printed using a five-color process—combining standard four-color CMYK with a specialized gloss varnish.