This image is of Emily, a woman who spent four years in Japan teaching English, and learning to play the koto (pictured in the image). During the shoot, Emily told me of the etiquette and rules about learning to play the koto (e.g. showing proper respect to one’s teacher, NEVER stepping over the instrument, which is played on the floor, etc.). I got the sense from Emily that to play the koto is as much about understanding the Japanese culture, as it is about learning how to play the notes. Emily has a lovely expression in this image, but my favourite part of the image is her hands, and how they are positioned holding the instrument: her right hand in particular shows the grace of a dancer. From the way she is holding the instrument,I get the sense that for Emily the koto is more than an instrument; it is a friend, and a conduit into the mysterious beauty that is Japan.