A number of Japan-based photographers have banded together to produce a book of Japan in Photographs with a view to sales assisting the Tohoku Earthquake response. The book contains a number of photographer's work on Japan in general. While sometimes clichéd, as Japan often is, there is also a startling amount of good work. A number of close friends were engaged in both the work included, and the response in Tohoku. Fukushima in 1992 below.
Not wanting to dwell on the disaster porn aspects, we have concentrated on the life in Japan, both as locals, and as adopted residents. While I've spent days myself cleaning drains, fixing motorcycles, cleaning houses, and cooking meals, I have of course had a camera with me too. Being a photographer, I have been compelled to take photographs as well.
Not as art, but as the images of what normal people have experienced, and what sometimes keeps me awake at night. This week has 70% of those without homes in relief shelters, with work underway across the country establishing new housing programs. We still have tens of thousands of people in emergency shelters though.
This last Wednesday we served over 500 meals to local residents who agreed that a slow meal service was tolerable, as the free beer was fast. While they enjoyed the social contact with their relief center neighbors, they are of course looking forward to getting their lives back to normal. These are real people, not TV grabs, or the result of sensationalized bullshit. This man below for example, was amazed some people had come from as far as
Tokyo to prepare meals, and provide drinks service.
He kept thanking me, over and over, to the point I had to walk away because I was about to burst into tears. The guy below and his friends were more than happy to enjoy the beer, and though the guy giving me
kanpai said he does not have his job any more, he is helping his neighbors. Helping others, who are helping others... It goes on.
The book details are available here:
Tokyogaga. Though the book is detailed, the website also shows the direct disaster as well. One of mine from the book:
The winter sun rises over modern Tokio.Hopefully too, an exhibition will be on in London showing both prints from the book, and perhaps some from our relief work in Tohoku too.
So if you have the time, please take a look, and if you can afford it, please purchase. From someone that is dealing directly with those affected, I know it is appreciated, and on my next trip (to install some radiation survey meters at schools in Fukushima-ken), I will be taking the book and everyone's well wishes again. Arigato! Skj.
