Blue Lotus Gallery presents Torii, a new photobook and exhibition by Ulana Switucha. Hong Kong–based Canadian photographer Switucha spent ten years journeying through Japan’s quiet, lesser-travelled landscapes, photographing its most iconic and sacred gateways.

First appearing in Japan around the 10th century, torii evolved from simple wooden structures into the iconic forms seen across the country today. They mark the transition from the secular to the sacred, serving as enduring symbols of reverence for the Kami: deities believed to dwell within the natural world. Architectural and symbolic, these gates embody reflection, balance, and the harmony between humanity and nature, and today stand as enduring symbols of Japan’s cultural and spiritual heritage.

Like many Hong Kong residents, Ulana Switucha is captivated by Japan. Yet her decade-long journey is uniquely devoted to photographing its torii. Over the years, Switucha has developed a deep familiarity with these gates, portraying them as quiet sentinels amid seas, coastal shores, and snow-covered terrain.

Gallery address: 28 Pound Lane, Tai Ping Shan