Irie Taikichi was born in Nara City in 1905. When he was young, he aspired to being a painter, however, his elder brother sent him a “Vest Pocket Kodak” camera made by Eastman Kodak of the US, and became dedicated to taking photos.
In 1931, he opened a photography shop “Kogeisha” in Osaka. His photos of Bunraku (Japanese traditional doll play), “Bunraku in spring” won first prize in the Sekai-idou photography contest and he started to gain a reputation for Bunraku photos.
In March of 1945, his residence and his shop were burnt down in the great Osaka air raid, and he returned to his hometown of Nara. On 17th November the same year, he saw that the statue of Shitennno that had been moved to the countryside for safety during the war had been brought back to Hokke-do Hall in Todai-ji Temple. He heard a rumor that the statues might be going to be taken to the US as war trophies, and he decided to take photos of them for the record. After that, he devoted his time to taking photos of landscapes, Buddha statues, and traditional seasonal events of Nara-Yamatoji.
In his later years, he also photographed “Flowers of Manyo (ancient Nara)”. He was a photographer who took photos of Nara-Yamaotoji for almost half a century.
He passed away on 16th January, 1992, at the age of 86.
入江泰吉の作品集
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Approach to Nigatsudo Hall
Blooming magnolias announce the coming of spring along the rear approach to Nigatsudo Hall, Todaiji Temple
Todaiji Temple ｜Taken April 1979
Ancient site of Sobo in Todaiji Temple
Late autumn the ancient site of Sobo, the priests'living quarters in Todaiji Temple
Todaiji temple ｜Taken Around 1970
Sarusawa Poun on a winter's day
A view of Kofukuji Temple's pagoda from Sarusawa Pond on a winter's day
Sarusawa Pond in Nara City ｜Taken December 1979
A doe and stag with their fawn
A doe and stag with their fawn
Nara Park in Nara City ｜Taken May 1975
Yakushiji Temple
The setting sun helps cast a serene reflection of Yakushiji Temple on water against the backdrop of a full moon
Shichijyooike Pond in Nara City｜Taken Around 1982
The sun sets over Ikaruga Village
The sun sets over Ikaruga Village, Horyuji Temple's Pagoda
Ikafuga Town ｜Taken Around 1980
Yamanobe-no-michi in spring
Rays of light punch through the spring clouds above Yamanobe-no-michi
Yamanobe-no-michi in Tenri City ｜Taken April 1985
Muroji Temple's Pagoda
Rhododendron flowers line the steps leading to Muroji Temple's Pagoda
