This residency and opportunity would not have been possible without the love, encouragement, and support of my wife, Lisa Breznak.

Very special thanks (Arigato Goziamashita!) goes to:

Ms. Keiko Ikoma, internationally acclaimed Kyoto ceramic artist (also Peekskill resident artist, friend, and co-conspirator with Lisa)

Sano-San , Buddhist priest (sakura- cherry blossom- guide, publicity genius, and the best damn cellphone photographer in Japan)

Kohari-San, photographer (my brother from a parallel universe, and the best damn photographer with a real camera in Japan)

Mr. Zaiki Kouta, an artist who utilizes life (and neckties) as his medium (and for the Japanese Barbeque, and many fine traditional Japanese meals and experiences we will never forget!)

Matsumoto-san , professor of art, Kyoto Seika University (for making my residency at Seika possible)

Musashi-san, professor of art, Kyoto Seika University (for securing my residency and generously providing his facility, guidance, and support)

Kitano-san, photography instructor, Kyoto Seika University (for letting me use his brand-new darkroom... I owe you a New York pizza!, at least)

Maki-san (for generously providing us with rice that her family grows, and, for understandingly, not understanding my bad New York jokes)

Maiko-san (and her parents) (for her "Good Brooklyn English", guidance, and enthusiasm!! Not to mention the amazing dinner and beer from her parents.)

Hiroshi (bicycle tycoon) & Megumi (the queen of honey, for teaching us Japanese and the song "New York, New York")

Mr. & Mrs. Honda, owners Coronado/ArtSpace 567 (for their generosity in providing exhibition space at their historic & stunningly restored machiya-gallery, Coronado/ArtSpace 567 , in Kyoto)

Mr. Ralph DiBart (for initiating the 'sister arts districts' artist exchange program between Nishijin and Peekskill, for his encouragement, and for tricking me into saying I would go to Japan to photograph)

Mr. Roger Baumann (for letting us tag along on one of his whirlwind tours <www.baumanntravel.com> of artisan studios and communities in and around Kyoto, and for just being a great friend)

Ms. Pat Braja and the Peekskill Arts Council (for helping to secure the S.O.S. grant from the New York Foundation & New York Arts Council)

New York State Assemblywoman Sandy Galef (for providing an official state proclamation recognizing the ''sister arts districts' of Kyoto and Peekskill.)

And all of the kind and considerate people of Kyoto and Nishijin (who so graciously endured me and my 8x10 camera haunting their quiet streets and alleys.)