ALAN BESSETTE
Akita
When I lived in Akita, Senshu Park and Hiehachiman Shrine were my two favorite places to photograph.
Senshu Park through the Seasons
Senshu Park was just a short 5 minute walk from my apartment. I frequently took walks there and I usually only had to share the park with just a few other people. The park is famous for its cherry blossoms, azalea flowers, and autumn leaves and so it is a great place to observe and photograph the seasons.
The park is where Kubota Castle used to be located. The castle was built in the early 1600s and was the seat of the Satake clan until the Meiji Era when Akita Prefecture was formed. The castle was abandoned and burnt down in 1880. The castle grounds became Senshu Park in 1896. One of the castle turrets, Osumiyagura (御隅櫓), and one of the castle gates were rebuilt to draw more tourists to the park.
Hiehachiman Shrine
日吉八幡神社
Hiehachiman Shrine was probably built sometime during the Kamakura period (1185-1333). It had to be moved a couple of times because of floods and wars. It was built at its present location in Sanno in 1662. The shrine was destroyed by a fire and then rebuilt in 1778. The main buildings are the shrine, a dance stage, and a three-storied pagoda. The album starts at the main entrance torii that faces Akigin Stadium, continues to the main shrine, and then finishes at the pagoda and north entrance.
