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-How many times did you enter the New Cosmos of Photography?

This was my first time. This was a work I spent time on. And, as I had won the grand prize with work produced for my university graduation, I felt confident that nobody could beat me. So, when I was selected for the Excellence Award I was not particularly overjoyed.
I thought I would be number one when I attended the open selection meeting, however, I was not able to win the grand prize. I was very frustrated. Right afterward, I made a firm decision that I would definitely use this as a springboard.

-How did you produce the work you entered?

For me, I have a vision of what I want to create in my head from the start, and I match the photos with that. When I was a second-year university student, I first started using the techniques that led to the work I entered. From photos I accumulated by shooting on a daily basis, I selected those that could match the images in my mind, and combined them. However, the detailed work did not go so well at the beginning. I was worried because I could not get closer to the images I wanted to create. I investigated new techniques, and wondered for a long time if I would have a breakthrough. I ended up using graphic arts film for my technique. By combining film, it was possible to express even greater detail. However, a surprising amount of time is necessary. To complete one work, it takes about three weeks working continuously in the darkroom everyday with almost no sleep. So, I have only completed eight pieces up until now. As a result, the works I produced as a fourth year university student for graduation were the works I entered. I entered the contest as a form of closure when I graduated, and ended up winning a prize.

-At first glance, it appears that you made use of computer graphics.

I did not use that at all. Using a computer would probably have made it easy, but I feel that it is necessary to create with my hands. The image was of my own utopia so you could say it is an imaginary space. I have incorporated this into one photograph. Using digital processing to create a virtual space lacks any romance. That is what I think anyway. Also the reason I shoot black and white photos in the first place is because it means a lot to me that I can do the entire process with my hands.

-Why did you start taking photographs?

In junior high school I had already made the decision to do photography for a living. When I told a friend that I wanted to travel around the world and see lots of sights in the future, he said: “How about becoming a photographer?” So that’s what I decided to do. Also, as I enjoyed gazing at the sky, I wondered if there was some way to capture those views and memories. I realized that photos would be the best way to achieve that. My fundamental feeling was to record things, and I felt that photography would be the best way to make this possible. I decided early on that I wanted to shoot photos, but it was not until I entered university that I first started shooting. In the art college’s photography department, I learned how to shoot from the beginning. So, almost everything I have done is in the series I entered. I guess you could say I continued shooting because I wanted to do that. This means that when I announce my next work someplace, it will definitely be a continuation of this series.

-Is there an artist you like?

For a long time I have loved the work of Studio Ghibli centered on Hayao Miyazaki*. I especially liked Kiki's Delivery Service. The elements of youth, travel, sea, sky, and wind in that film match exactly how I feel. The world depicted looks like a utopia. As for photographers, there is not really anyone in particular. I would honestly have to say that I have been single-mindedly thinking about creating my own work, and not looking around very much.

* Hayao Miyazaki
Born in 1941. Animator and manga artist. His Studio Ghibli has produced numerous animated feature films. Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind, My Neighbor Totoro, and Ponyo on a Cliff are some of the many films he has directed.