Because all what we have is now
I think we should visit a hospital at least once per year. Even for no reason. Just stay there a while and watch people in the canteen. Close your eyes breathe in that air between sterilized walls and imagine.
When we are in possession of extremely valuable thing we don’t realise it until we lose it. Health might be one of those things.
My son goes to a kindergarten here in Midori-ku. It became clear to us soon that the place we chose is exceptional. Teachers there have this relaxed aura in them, their smiles have no hint of tension or forced expression. Children are just doing their children business, playing, running, screaming and crying. The place has big windows and the gate is never locked.
In Japan it is common to put children to pre-school from early age, where they wear uniforms and try as much as possible to behave like adult. Even some kindergartens pose strict rules for children and forbid children making loud sounds. But this is nothing like that. This is gift from the sky.
I was planning to make documentary of the kindergarten because I was so moved about the beauty of the people there. I even shot it half-way and was on my way to start to negotiate a deal with Finnish broadcasting. However I was forced to cancel the project because of privacy concerns; you can’t really shoot documentary of kindergarten without showing the children.
Interviewing one of the teachers was so surprising and moving experience. She described her job as fulfilling; although her body is tired after work her heart is full. So she said she wants to dedicate her heart for her work. She was shining as she was in front of my camera.
It’s possible to meet truly international people in surprising places. It is never matter of language or culture, but something completely different. I find this openness inspiring and beautiful.
There is elderly couple living near my house. I and my son go to visit them every now and then.
Last time they cooked tempura, fried vegetables. And they have soft Mickey Mouse dolls which my son loves to play with.
After I took her photo, her husband said “Isn’t she a bijin (beauty)?”. What a beautiful people. Today my son asked, “don’t we go to see grandma?”. I thought he meant my mother-in-law, but then, I’m quite sure he meant her. My grandma is no longer in this world, but I can find similar spirit with these people. I feel like we are connected.
Taking photos spontaneously like this makes me realise that I can’t separate my photography from my daily life. Rather my life is my photography. So I made a promise to never leave my camera home.
I have arrived to my wife’s hometown in Mie. I was planning to stay in Yokohama until end of this week, because of Yokohama Art Department event which was organized by my friends in Art Mania.
But since my wife is pregnant and the baby seems to come earlier than expected, I decided I must return here as soon as possible.
Island Mother shooting and the Monday’s session after it, with my friend Saeko Nakahara, was very fascinating and emotionally moving process.
I feel humbled by it, and you know, being such a crybaby, I couldn’t stop my tears. The theme itself is about life and death, and one’s passing through life. Saeko was totally amazing. I have never met anyone so talented in my life so far.
Perhaps it wouldn’t be wrong to say that part of me was burned away in the process of making these images.
And I’m saved by it.
The images are completed now, and there’s nothing more to add.
I hope I will continue to have the necessary courage to fight and challenge myself. Because it’s my job to take a photo.