“Children’s home”
I’d like to use this place not to show my photographic expressions, but as a site for children’s expressions. “Ikuno Children’s Home” is located in Ikuno-ku, Osaka. Both mentally handicapped children and normal children commute to this institution, which is one of few nurseries that care for mixed groups. Its primary purpose is not to cure defects, but to accept them, understand individuality, and live together. In this home, children play together, and try to understand and stimulate each other to learn. I played with them, and thouht agbout handicaps through my camera. I hope that visitors will see handicapped children’s energy and soul, and their appeal to “Love me more.”
Selecting judge: Shigeichi Nagano
Masaru Yoshida has an excellent ability to photograph humans in an attractive way. Spacing between the subject and surroundings is impressive, and a human’s attractive quality is described. He mixes with children so easily that they are not conscious of being photographed at all. The more we look at the pictures, the more interesting they become, reminding us of human dignity.
