Photography

Mar 17, 2025
6 mins read
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6 mins read

Golden Fireflies Paint the Darkness in Breathtaking Photos – Don’t Miss This

The Bright Story

The Bright Story

1.1K followers
Golden Fireflies Paint the Darkness in Breathtaking Photos – Don’t Miss This

Beneath the summer canopy of Japan’s Yamagata forests, tiny golden lights flicker in the darkness—fireflies, painting trails of ephemeral beauty against the night sky. To photographer Kazuaki Koseki, these fleeting sparks are more than just a natural wonder; they are a testament to the delicate relationship between humanity and the environment.

“Gate of God Area”, 2018. (Courtesy of Kazuaki Koseki)

A Journey into Nature

Born in 1977 in Yamagata Prefecture, Kazuaki Koseki grew up in a family photography studio, surrounded by images long before pursuing photography himself. His artistic journey began unexpectedly through fly fishing, which led him to explore rivers, forests, and mountains.

"I started fishing in rivers close by and gradually began to spend most of my holidays in nature," he recalls. Observing the landscapes, seasons, and wildlife deepened his connection to the natural world.

In 2011, the Great East Japan Earthquake and Fukushima disaster profoundly impacted him. "Seeing my friends die and so many others affected, I learned about the ferocity of nature and the fragility of life," he told The Bright Story. This turning point inspired him to document Japan’s landscapes, preserving their beauty through his art.

"Courting Soul", 2023. (Courtesy of Kazuaki Koseki)

The Discovery of Firefly Forests

Eight years ago, Koseki stumbled upon a magical secret hidden within Yamagata’s forests: Himebotaru fireflies. "I wondered if they existed in the nature of Yamagata as I know it. I then opened a detailed mountain map and researched the forests that might be inhabited," he recalls.

Determined to see them with his own eyes, he ventured alone into the moonless forest, heart pounding with both fear and excitement. "After about 30 minutes, I found a small yellow light that seemed to twinkle. When I switched off my flashlight, countless small lights were twinkling in the forest. […] It was like a starry sky," he describes.

"Tanabata", 2020. (Courtesy of Kazuaki Koseki)

In that moment, his fear of the dark dissolved, replaced by a profound connection to the living, breathing world around him. The memory of that night stayed with him, a glowing ember in his mind that refused to fade. "What kind of image did the light I saw in the darkness that I was afraid of give to my brain? The dialogue with myself continues to this day.," he reflects.

Art That Captures Time Itself

For Koseki, photography is more than just taking a picture—it is a way to capture time, movement, and emotion in a single frame. His series, Hotarubi – Summer Fairies, portrays the fleeting brilliance of fireflies, their glow tracing delicate parabolic arcs across the forest night.

To create his images, he relies on long-exposure photography, sometimes leaving his shutter open for minutes at a time. "The night forests I see with the naked eye are so dark that I cannot even see my own hand, but what made the strongest impression on me was the dim bluish forest during what is known as the blue hour, when the fireflies begin to fly," he explains.

"Shining Forest", 2018. (Courtesy of Kazuaki Koseki)

His work is a blend of science and poetry—he carefully observes the flight patterns of male fireflies, predicting their movements based on obstacles and variations in light. "Himebotaru is an artist who paints light in the forest," he says.

Unforgettable Moments Behind the Lens

Among his most memorable shoots, Lights of Life (2021) stands out as a rare and breathtaking experience. "While searching for the light emitted by a female firefly that cannot fly, […] I carefully positioned my camera before nightfall," he explains​. As the fireflies began their dance, one flew straight toward the camera and landed on the lens, flashing repeatedly. "I was able to shoot the biggest and most beautiful glow of firefly life I have ever photographed," he recalls​.

"Lights of Life", 2021. (Courtesy of Kazuaki Koseki)

His favorite image, Stardust Forest (2023), captures the graceful arcs of fireflies painting the night air. "Fireflies sometimes draw beautiful parabolic trajectories in the forest," he says​. Through years of careful observation, he realized that while their movements seem random, they actually follow patterns shaped by obstacles and changes in light. "Himebotaru is an artist who paints light in the forest," he reflects​.

"Stardust Forest", 2023. (Courtesy of Kazuaki Koseki)

From Japan to the World

Koseki’s Hotarubi – Summer Fairies series has been exhibited across the globe, from the Natural History Museum in London to the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland. In 2025, it will be featured at the Month of Photography Denver, Tiradentes Photography Festival in Brazil, and Photo London Fair.

"Full Moon Flower", 2022. (Courtesy of Kazuaki Koseki)

His work has won numerous accolades, including Wildlife Photographer of the Year and the Sony World Photography Awards Professional Shortlist. Yet, for Koseki, the true reward lies in something deeper: "Spending my days in the nature and climate, spiritual features of Tohoku and Yamagata, the changing seasons that I experience with all my senses bring me a lot of inspiration," he shares.

"Layer of Lights", 2018. (Courtesy of Kazuaki Koseki)

Each photograph is a reflection of those moments—his quiet walks through the forests, the rhythmic dance of fireflies, and the deep connection he feels with the landscapes he captures.

For more of Kazuaki Koseki’s breathtaking work, visit his website: kazuakikoseki.com
Follow him on Instagram: @isseycraft

Comments · 7

Guest 1753195519877
0/2000
Paul-Wesley Bowen

Paul-Wesley Bowen

3 months ago(Edited)
Fireflies? Never saw them till I was standing on the field out back of Southwestern Bible College.
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I was awesome, amazing and very, very beautiful.
Guest 1741313820529
Stunning! Both the photographs and the sensitive and sensual reflections of the photographer. From over 80 years ago, the memories of watching for the first fireflies in the early evening light are still with me, only we unromantically called them lightning bugs. We tried to catch them in a Mason jar but were rarely successful. Just as well, these lovely creatures need to be free.
Guest 1731097369947
Thank you, how wonderful.
Guest 1735399694290

Guest 1735399694290

3 months ago(Edited)
If you are ever in Phoenix, Arizona, come experience Phoenix Art Museum’s treasured “infinity-room” installation by Yayoi Kusama, "You who are getting obliterated in the dancing swarm of fireflies." It will take your breath away!
https://phxart.org/blog/rebirth-and-purity/
Guest 1743443254836
How exquisite! You brought up a memory of my mother and I in the country (Hingham, Massachusetts, USA) watching the fireflies on a humid summer evening flying over the swamp. Thank you.
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