GALLERY 3

TETSU AND OTYU

TOMOMI SAKUMA

In this March of 2011, Japan went through the catastrophe. 

My hometown, Fukushima, also had calamity of the tsunami and it’s consequences. 

This event affected me, making me feel totally scared and powerless as I was in Australia and could only watch the news.

Many people lost their family, friends, house, job, food etc… but they didn’t give in at all. 

When I saw them, I remembered my grandparents and with it I remembered some pictures I naively took for them and then I thought they were probably the best pictures I have ever taken.

For some reason, the daily life of my grandparents always aroused my curiosity and every time I captured their life with my camera, I ran to the photo studio to develop my pictures and then wait impatiently until the photos were finished.

My grandparents experienced the Second World War calamity, didn’t have foods and clothing. 

But they never gave their life in. but also they were always strong, cheerful life. The pictures I took were able to capture those virtues and I don’t know if it was because of them, maybe it was because of me, or maybe just the fact that I loved them so much. 

That’s why I couldn’t stop taking pictures of them.

I have taken pictures of them more than 10 years and I would like to take their pictures more, but unfortunately they passed away last year. Their pictures give me inspiration to live happily and cheerful, even in the hard times. Hopefully these pictures can cheer up whoever sees them.