‘Torii’ - A fine art photography book

  • A red-framed picture of a snow-covered red torii gate standing in the ocean with rocks and ice, against a gray sky.

  • A snow-covered landscape featuring thick layers of snow and ice, with Torii gate and a shinto shrine also blanketed in snow and ice, blending into the heavily snowed environment.

  • A small rocky island with a red bridge and steps leading to a traditional Japanese red torii gate, a small shrine, and lanterns, surrounded by calm water and a white sky.

  • A large dark rock formation in the ocean with a red torii gate on top of the central peak.

  • A traditional white Japanese torii gate standing in the water at the beach with a cloudy sky background.

  • A tranquil lake with a red torii gate at the shoreline, surrounded by forested hills and a snow-capped mountain in the background, under a clear sky. Mount Fuji in the background.

Two large rocks connected by a rope in water, with smaller rocks nearby, under an overcast sky. Meoto Iwa

‘Torii’ - Journey into the Japanese spiritual landscape

I am delighted to announce the launch of ‘Torii’, my first photo book. For many years I have been photographing across Japan, drawn time after time to the quiet power of the spiritual landscape and, in particular, the Torii gates. This book contains my favourite images drawn from exploring the length of Japan and each photograph is a moment to pause and enjoy calm and presence. More than a collection of photos, this book invites reflection, stillness, and beauty — something to hold in your hands and leisurely experience, page by page. I hope you feel the same sense of quiet fascination that I felt while making it. 

Pre Order - Shipping in November

USD 48 Plus shipping

Book Specs

Cloth Covered Hardback, Case Bound

260mm x 210mm (10.2in x 8.3in) Landscape

96 Pages, 40 photographs,

Offset printing, 150gsm paper

Haiku and Photographs by Ulana Switucha ©

Afterword by Olivier Robert ©

English with Japanese and Chinese translation

Edition of 800

Only 350 copies are available on this website. 

‘Torii’ - Awards & Exhibitions

2024 ND Awards - Gold Star 1st Place - Long Exposure (selected images)

2024 Minimalist Photography Awards - Long Exposure Photographer of the Year - 1st Place (selected images)

2024 Prix de la Photographie, Paris, Px3 - Silver (selected images)

2024 Tokyo International Photography Awards, Bronze (selected images)

January - February 2025 - Sylvia Janschek Art Gallery, Austria (selected images)

November 15 to December 14, 2025, Blue Lotus Gallery, Hong Kong

Torii’ - What Others Are Saying

“Using soft light and long exposure, Ulana renders these gates as quiet sentinels in their environment, creating compositions that invite reflection on the harmony between humanity and nature.”   Nicholas Kitto,  Author of "Trading Places"

“Each image is a small prayer in light.”   Christopher Dillon

“What a journey. Ulana’s work reminds us that stillness can be meditative.”   Lydia Tsang

An elegant, and contemplative book. I enjoyed every single page.”   Jane Robinson

 FAQs

  • Shipping

    Please note that the total price excludes VAT, taxes and import duties assessed by your country.

    To keep costs low, I will be shipping using the postal service. In order to offer fair pricing across countries and regions, I’ve chosen to offer flat fees and cover part of the shipping cost myself. Your book will be securely packaged and shipped with tracking to ensure safe delivery.

    If you’re planning to order 5 or more copies please contact me directly — I’ll help you set it up with the correct shipping costs (sometimes the bulk courier rates may be more favourable).

    In step 2 of the check out, (delivery methods), please start by selecting the destination country to see shipping options. If your shipping region/country is not listed in checkout, please contact me and I will quote you the rate.

    U.S.A. orders

    Please contact me for shipping rates to the USA so that we can find the best solution (via courier). The local postal service is, at this time, not accepting parcels bound for the USA due to tariff complications.

  • Shipping will begin in mid November 2025. I will inform you when the book is shipped.

  • Absolutely. I will handle every copy personally and I am happy to sign the books, if that is your preference. (Otherwise, they will be shipped individually shrink wrapped.)

  • Absolutely.  I truly hope that ‘Torii’ finds a place in the hands of someone you know: a traveller, a photography lover or someone with an interest in Japan. It is also the perfect corporate gift. Contact me for wholesale pricing.

  • Limited edition prints are exclusively available through the Blue Lotus Gallery.

    info@bluelotus-gallery.com

A traditional Japanese torii gate standing alone in calm, shallow water with a distant mountainous landscape in the background.

Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions or to inquire about wholesale purchases of ‘Torii’.

Thank you for supporting independent art. I will personally handle every copy.