荒木経惟 - NOBUYOSHI ARAKI

While most widely known for his erotic and bondage works, Araki works cover ground far greater than that of a simple pornographer. Having published/been published in approximately 250 publications, (source: World Cat Identities) it is possible that he is Japan's most prolific photographer.

After photographing Björk in the late nineties, his work began reach an international audience it would have not seen otherwise.

Araki experimented with processing his film at high temperatures, or allowing his fim to partially rot. This resulted in scenes suggestive of atomic warfare, Hiroshima, and Japan's own unresolved post-war guilt.

From youtube: Araki talks about this technique as well as his overall personal motivation and methodology behind photography. (narration, translated into english and pictures)




In part 2 he discusses the accidental foreshadowing of his wife's death as seen in their honeymoon pictures, and how this lead into his obsession with sex and death.

Björk by Araki
Even Björk, When seen though Araki's lens, suggests Japanese undertone.


Araki was interested in depecting 私東京 私写真- 'my tokyo' or 'my photography'
dirty, honest, sincere, sad, and sensual

"I believe Tokyo to have the highest concentration of sad people of any city." - Araki
(From Contacts Vol. 2, Portraits of Contemporary Photographers. )

the photographer himself

Neighborhood Hirakaida Shinkada-cho; 新寿温泉 New Long Life Hot Springs. A look into bathing culture in Japan.

New Long Life Hot Springs 新寿温泉

Japanese people love the bath.
In order to enjoy a nice bath, many people will plan entire vacations around taking a trip to a famous hot spring, but for everyday occasions, the neighborhood onsen (hot spring) or sento (bath house) will do just fine.

Bathing in Japan is for much more than just cleaning the body. It is a way to relax, enjoy nature, experience the seasons, and also an important social mechanism.

Japanese has a very structured social hierarchy. The bath house (or hot spring) is a place where people can shed their clothes and symbolically shed their social position. Everyone is equal when they are enjoying a bath. As cares and stress begin to melt away, people open up and talk with eachother.
A small sento often can function as an informal neighborhood meeting spot. One is likely to bump into a neighbor or someone else they might know.

On my first visit to "New Long Life Hot Springs", I was warmly greeted by other customers on my way in who both informed me of the hot spring's hours as well as welcomed me into the neighborhood.

Here are some excellent links for more information and scenes of Japanese culture.

A sign informs visitors of what kind of baths can be enjoyed at the Onsen.
Included is: sauna, seasonal bath, fresh cold water bath, electric bath, infrared reclining bath, and ultrasonic bath.


A typical interior of a Japanese bathhouse. (photo from flickr user nolabwork)

Here are some excellent links for more information and scenes of Japanese culture.

A guide to Japanese bath etiquette from Japan-guide.com.

From Ping Mag:
Sento: A Glimpse Into Japanese Bathhouse Culture
(warning: contains some mild, non sexual nudity)

Also from Ping Mag:
Sento Art: Public Bath House Paintings

From Fuji TV via JapanProbe
The dying art of public bath house painting, via fuji TV

The Japanese People - Profile: WADAIKO MIYABI 和太鼓雅

The Japanese people are well known for their remarkable ability to form groups and work together well within those groups. This applies to many aspects of Japanese culture, not only school and business situations but also to the fine arts and leisure time.

One such group is WADAIKO MIYABI, a traditional Japanese percussion ensemble based out of Neyagawa, Osaka. Members meet twice each week to practice, prepare for performances, and to enjoy each others' company and friendship. Many of the pieces express specific aspects of Osaka's culture and history. The overall atmosphere of the group carries Osaka's distinct laid back, open, and optimistic flavor.

Tools of the trade:hinoki drumstics, bamboo flute and rehearsal uniform. Rehearsal uniforms build a sense of unity and belonging, and are considered an enjoyable part of taiko rather than a clothing restriction.

Members rehearsing in a community center in Neyagawa.

A scene from a performance at Hattori Ryokuchi Park.


Another scene from the Hattori Ryokuchi Park performance.

WADAIKO MIYABI is a beautiful expression of the Japanese group-oriented mentality, Japanese performance arts, as well as a great example of the energetic, easy going, and friendly nature of Osakans.

I asked Fujimoto san, principal bamboo flute player and senior member of Wadaiko Miyabi, why she comes to Taiko. She said, "Everyone does their best and brings what they can to the group. When we all work together, some how magically, we end up with something that is far greater than the sum of its parts. So I could never quit."

For more information and photos, visit them on their web page.
or visit them at their up coming Cherry Blossom Concert on March 21, 2009, 2:00PM at the Hall at the Negawa City Sogo Center.

Performance photos and group photo courtesy of Wadaiko Miyabi.