botanical

There are many myths, legends and proverbs with fruits. In China, Buddha's hands (the fingered citron species, an unusually shaped citron variety whose fruit is segmented into finger-like sections, resembling a human hand), peaches and pomegranate are called "Fúshòusānduō (the three blessings of good fortune, abundance/ prosperity and longevity)" and are respected as the fruits of lucky omen. The "Buddha's hand" in the fruit, Buddha's hand, is said to enable the eater to grasp treasure. Having treasure signifies having happiness, the blessed state pronounced as "fóshǒu" in Chinese, (the homophobic sound of the name of the fruit, Buddha's hand). Take the homophonic sound of Foshou, symbolizing good fortune, take the effect of celestial peach symbolizing longevity; take the meaning of pomegranate’s plenty of seeds symbolizing abundance. These three fruits put together imply good fortune, prosperity as well good health and a long life. Apples, pears and prunes also have myths .

Masumi Shiohara was born in 1974 in Nagano, Japan. He worked at a micro-machining company as a development engineer. After leaving the company, he took over the management of the family orchard from his parents and is now running a farm. While growing fruit here he became interested in capturing them into works of photographic art, a skill which he picked up by himself. The inspiration to capture these photographically originally came when he was requested to supply fruit on a branch to a botanical artist