I loved Narcissus because, as he lay on my banks and looked down at me, in the mirror of his eyes I saw ever my own beauty mirrored.

—Oscar Wilde, The Disciple

This was taken at the tail end of rainy season one year. Most people I talk to, Japanese and foreigner alike, dislike rainy season, not only because of the constant rain, but also the high humidity. Me? I love it. Sure, I could do without the humidity, but I don't mind the rain; in fact, I love it, because after every rainfall nature seems to sparkle with life and it is like a green paradise outside. For this reason, when possible, I always go for photowalks after these rain showers.

On this particular day the water at the river was clean and calm, and, upon seeing the reflection of the far bank in it, that quote popped into my head. It doesn't entirely fit the scene, but I have learned not to ignore these strange and somewhat magical moments of inspiration.

I always have a feeling this image would work better in monochrome, but I just can't get rid of that lovely green. During rainy season, that vegetation over there seems to grow a meter a day—seriously, it grows fast—and it is so green it boggles the mind.

	David LaSpina is an American photographer and translator lost in Japan, trying to capture the beauty of this country one photo at a time and searching for the perfect haiku.