WASHINGTON DC, United States — Early morning golden sunlight illuminates the Japanese Pagoda at the Tidal Basin. This historic stone lantern, a gift from Japan, is bathed in warm light, creating a serene and picturesque scene that highlights the cultural exchange between the United States and Japan.
Photograph by David Coleman. The Japanese Pagoda, more accurately described as a Japanese Stone Lantern, stands as a prominent feature along the Tidal Basin in Washington DC. This granite structure, dating from 1651, was a gift from Japan to the United States in 1954, commemorating the 100th anniversary of the first Treaty of Peace, Amity and Commerce between the two nations. The lantern, standing about 10 feet tall, is a Kasuga-style lantern typical of the Edo period in Japan. In the early morning light, the warm golden rays accentuate the intricate details of the lantern's design, casting long shadows and creating a peaceful, contemplative atmosphere. The Tidal Basin, a man-made reservoir between the Potomac River and the Washington Channel, provides a serene backdrop for this cultural landmark. Often, the still waters of the basin reflect the lantern and surrounding cherry trees, doubling the visual impact of the scene. The lantern's location near the cherry trees, another famous gift from Japan, underscores the strong cultural ties between the two nations. This peaceful morning scene, captured before the arrival of daily visitors, offers a moment of tranquility and beauty in the heart of the nation's capital. The interplay of light, water, and this historic structure not only creates a visually stunning composition but also symbolizes the enduring friendship between the United States and Japan, a theme central to the area's most famous event, the National Cherry Blossom Festival.
Size: 4476px × 6706px
Location: Tidal Basin, Washington, District of Columbia, USA
Photo credit: © David Coleman | CherryBlossomWatch / Alamy / Afripics
License: Royalty Free
Model Released: No
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