The red-crowned crane moves with a grace that transcends mere instinct. Their dance begins with a deep bow, a gesture of reverence and devotion, followed by a piercing call that echoes across the landscape. As their voices rise in unison, other cranes are drawn into the ritual, answering with their own fluting cries.This is no ordinary display—it is an ancient ritual of love and fidelity. For the Ainu people, this ritual holds deep spiritual meaning. The crane is believed to be a messenger of Sarorun Kamuy, the god of the wetlands, a divine force that sustains life. The crane’s presence is seen as a blessing, a symbol of harmony between humanity and nature.

The extraordinary masks and costumes of the Carnival of Basel allow participants to shed their identities and embrace anonymity, fostering self-expression, creativity, and community spirit. For this ebook, photographer Hans Sautter collaborates with acclaimed Swiss author Gabrielle Alioth, recipient of multiple literary awards and primarily residing in Ireland. This marks the first collaboration between the photographer in Japan and the writer in Ireland, resulting in an impressive and unique composition that appeals to both newcomers and insiders alike.

The photographs and stories in this ebook, centered on South-West Germany, were originally commissioned for a Tokyo travel magazine. However, my true intention for these features was never fully realized. These are the places where I grew up, embarking on early journeys to nearby cities and forests, where childhood fantasies blurred the lines between reality and reverie. After spending 40 years in the Far East, I sought to reconnect with those distant memories. This collection reflects that search, and I hope my photographs evoke the illusions of both my memories and my imagination.

This video is inspired by the legend of Nyai Roro Kidul, the Queen of the Southern Sea in Javanese mythology. The fierce waves and storms of the Indian Ocean along Java's southern coasts evoke awe and fear of the powerful forces of nature and the spiritual realm, inhabited by mythical creatures and ruled by the goddess Queen Kidul.  - Dance by Devi Eka Ariyani at the sacred Parangkusumo Beach; video by Hans Sautter; music by Nine Inch Nails, 

'09 Ghosts 1’, Creative Commons license.

In 2014, my coordinates were Yogyakarta, Tokyo, and Bangkok, with photographic work spanning Vietnam, Singapore, Japan, and South Korea. A highlight of that year was 'Fire and Ice,' a corporate project in Thailand involving a documentary video and a 12-page magazine feature, both of which won Pearl Awards. After time in my Yogyakarta home, where I continued to create multimedia content, I returned to Tokyo for corporate assignments and an eBook project on Kamakura, an ancient town steeped in Zen and samurai history. 

When people imagine living in Tokyo, it's likely far removed from Miwa, my home in this megalopolis since 1985. A serene sanctuary in the western suburbs, Miwa is a hidden wilderness, a world apart from the city’s concrete sprawl. One morning, I took my usual walk through the hills, capturing photos. Later, I created a short video, adding music by Hans Reichel, a dear friend who passed away in 2011. We often walked this path together.