Yabusame
A rust-red horse gallops along the racetrack as her rider takes aim. An invisible arrow cuts through the air, shattering the wooden target completely.
Before the sand has time to settle, the next competitor charges. His stallion bolts, throwing him into the air and nearly into the laps of the nearest onlookers.
Despite the risk to horse and rider, Yabusame, the traditional art of Japanese horseback archery, continues to thrive across the country.
“Seppuku Pistols” live in Niigata
A documentary photo essay for Manami Okazaki’s upcoming book on Japanese mingei: Japanese folk crafts and artisans (pub: Tuttle Publishing).
This electrifying performance takes place on a tiny festival ground in the Niigata countryside. The “Seppuku Pistols” grab their matsuri instruments, don traditional noragi, and blast punk-inspired protest anthems into a small crowd of unbridled followers.
Once the dust settles, we meet the band members, artisans practicing an array of crafts, back at their workshops.
Chiaki & Yuta’s Workshop
A documentary photo essay for Manami Okazaki’s upcoming book on Japanese mingei: Japanese folk crafts and artisans (pub: Tuttle Publishing).
Murakado Chiaki and Yuta (with loyal companion Hachi) at their workshop in Tochigi.
The “Seppuku Pistols” artisans hand-craft a range of clothing and accessories from reclaimed fabric pieces, some dating as far back as the Edo period. Bandmate Sun-san creates traditional footwear such as zouri and geta.
Arisue Go x Yoshimi Tsubomi
Stills for Sabukaru Magazine, article by Manami Okazaki.
Rigger Arisue Go and rope model Yoshimi Tsubomi perform shibari at Haremame, an eclectic art-and-bar space in Daikanyama.
Accompanied by a live sitar, rigger and model act out a sensual art piece that contrasts traditional rope tying techniques with a contemporary aesthetic.
Wild Game Hunters
Stills for the South China Morning Post’s article on hunting in Japan, pub. 2024/02/24.
Hewlett Packard Showcase
Official event stills for the Tokyo 2023 Hewlett Packard showcase.
Pink Gala
Official event stills for the Pink Gala 2022, an annual event raising money for the ‘Run for the Cure’ foundation, a non-profit combating breast cancer.
Experiment Case
Official stills for Experiment Case, a techno event in White Space Lab, Shibuya.
Electronic Substance Abuse @KGR(b)
Official event stills & video for Jamie Blacker (ESA) at KGR(b).
Behind the scenes & additional footage for ESA’s music video, “I Want It Now”.
Basketball
Stills for basketball competition games and practice sessions in London, Edinburgh, and Tokyo.
Marine Sports
Windsurfers & hydrofoilers enjoying a stiff breeze along the Shonan coast.
Drag Calendar
Photoshoot for the Tokyo Drag Calendar 2020, showcasing drag kings and queens across Japan.
Yokohama Theatre Group “Ryokou”
Official stills and video for the Yokohama Theatre Group’s silent show “Ryokou”, directed by Andrew Woolner.
Hip Hop Freestyle Competition
Life parc dance competition at Commune 2nd, Omotesando.