Heian, the title of Toda’s series of 33 images, means “peace and serenity.” It is also the name of the period (794–1185) during which a distinctive Japanese artistic style emerged. In a meticulous process, Toda assembled environments based on traditional Japanese interiors, then directed the photography within specific parameters of light and humidity. He selected “raw things” as his materials: “plain wood, living creatures, natural light.” Here, he placed a carp in the type of hearth common to Japan’s premodern period. The artist shot the series outdoors without artificial lights. His choice of materials and efforts to keep his subjects unharmed were so restrictive, it took a year to complete four compositions. Toda chose to produce lithographic prints from photographic negatives because, for him, the soft quality of the image is important—“so natural, far from the digital resolution of today…”