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KUCHIKI NO TAMASHII — The Remains | The Story
I came across this ancient Quiver Tree in the stark landscape of South Africa's Northern Cape. It was the tree's extraordinary form that first drew me towards it. The massive trunk seemed to carry the face of an old man, while the few remaining branches reached outward from its sides. Against the empty sky, the tree took on an almost human presence.
The Quiver Tree, or Kokerboom, is one of the defining trees of this harsh landscape. It has evolved to survive extreme heat, drought and exposure, yet even this remarkably resilient species is being affected by a changing climate.
There is also an older spiritual belief associated with these trees. Among the San people, it is believed that the soul of a dying man can become trapped within a Quiver Tree. Standing before this particular tree, that story took on a different meaning for me. Looking at the face I saw in its trunk and the remnants of its branches, I began to see the tree not simply as something that was dying, but as something that might still be holding a life within it.
I titled the print Kuchiki no Tamashii, The Soul of the Withered Tree. The Japanese phrase became a way of expressing what I felt in that moment — a sense of something remaining within a form that has endured far beyond its original life.
The surrounding landscape is dry, sparse and almost desolate, yet I find an extraordinary beauty in it. Small grasses and shrubs cling to the rocky earth, while low, weathered hills disappear into the distance beneath a cloudless sky.
For me, this print is ultimately about what remains.
Craftsmanship & Materials
Museum-grade materials, hand-signed and produced to archival standards.
Certificate of Authenticity
Includes a hand-signed Certificate of Authenticity detailing the edition number, archival materials, and year of production.
Hand-Signed & Numbered
Each print is individually hand-signed and numbered by Peter Delaney as part of this limited edition.
Archival Fine Art Paper
Printed on Hahnemühle Photo Rag® 308gsm, a 100% cotton museum-grade paper renowned for its exceptional detail, rich tonal depth, and archival longevity.
Edition Size: A2 (42 × 59.4 cm | 16.5 × 23.4 in), inclusive of a white border for framing. Final dimensions may vary slightly to preserve the original image ratio.
Questions or bespoke requirements? Please contact Peter directly.
Collector Stories
Reflections from collectors who have welcomed Peter Delaney's artwork into their homes around the world.
After some delay, I finally had 'Bonds of Love' framed and placed on my bedroom wall, a gift from my husband for our 50th wedding anniversary. He passed away not long after, and two years on, this photograph continues to comfort me. It is the first thing I see every morning, and it gladdens my heart.
This is not a photograph hanging on a wall. It is a window into something vast and unhurried.
To have one of Peter Delaney's images in your home is your connection to a world few of us will ever experience, and a connection to nature and the earth that is truly rare.
Queen of the Mara has occupied a central place in our living room since 2020. It helped us feel connected to the world at a time when we... weren't.
Each print carries its own story, creating a lasting connection between the collector and Africa's wild places.
