DISCOVER JAPAN

Echoes of Vermillion Dreams

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What does it feel like to be in Japan?

This is what I set out to document and answer as I traveled through the empire of the rising sun.

 
 

Echoes of Vermillion Dreams explores the multifaceted wonder and awe Japan imparts to all who live and travel to the country.

The book is composed of a series of short stories and vignettes about my husband and my experiences navigating the country by trains, cars, and on foot.

Shibuya Crossing
The crowd at Shibuya Crossing clusters and clumps at the edges of the intersection, filling the sidewalk until it reaches critical mass. All eyes are glued to the signal. The last car passes, followed by a breathless pause. A moment later, the light changes and chaos unfolds. People spill onto the road like marbles and scatter in every direction: walking, running, and biking. The mobs converge in the middle, nearly clashing in an atomic soup of polarized particles. The sea of business coats and satchel bags ebbs and flows until the light shifts, leaving the remaining stragglers to scramble across. Moments later, the cycle repeats again.

-excerpt from the book

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Along with vibrant photography, the book also features dozens of illustrations

 
 
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Hi, I’m Loretta Widen.

I am a designer, illustrator, and Photographer from the San Francisco, Bay Area. I love sharing the spirit of places I’ve visited through my photos and drawings. My husband and I have been to Japan twice, spanning 14 cities and 38 days. We are excited to share with you all that we’ve seen and uncovered from our time in Japan.

This book is not what it seems…

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Unlock the hidden yokai world with augmented reality

Japan has a diverse mythology of monsters and spirits, called yokai. With the use of a free augmented reality app, you’ll be able to see the hidden world of spirits and monsters.

Augmented reality samples

 
 
 
 

How do I get a copy?

Follow me on Instagram for updates when it’s live!

@wholewidenworld