Lina (Tbilisi, 2024)
In this image, I captured Lina, a former prominent curator in Russia, who had to step down from her role due to her husband's employment with a major international newspaper. During our session, she spoke with passion, always engaged in her work, and radiated a sense of strong, positive leadership. Lina is truly a person of remarkable strength and capability.
Katya (Tbilisi, 2024)
In this image, I captured Katya, who lives in Tbilisi. To be honest, I didn't sense any seriousness in her cynicism and humor, but I did feel her resilience and the joyful everyday life she shares with her husband and friend Ivan. The interaction with them was simply enjoyable.
Ivan (Tbilisi, 2024)
In this image, I captured Ivan, an artist who once specialized in painting at a Russian university before taking on roles as a designer and lecturer. With the onset of the war, Ivan first relocated to Bukhara, Uzbekistan, and has been living in Tbilisi since 2024. His family remains in Moscow, but due to his outspoken opposition to the war on social media, returning to Moscow is not safe for him. Generally speaking, there are people in Tbilisi who do not think well of Russia, but Ivan acknowledges that this sentiment is not universal. He prefers his current situation over being in a place surrounded by those whose opinions clash with his own. The image reflects the complexities of exile and the resilience of those who stand by their convictions. And what is not reflected in this image is his sense of humor, his casual and easygoing nature, his childlike qualities, and his openness and tolerance towards everything. These traits always attract friends to him.
Ilya Yashin at a Political Rally in Berlin (Berlin, 2024)
In this image, I captured a moment at a political rally in Berlin, where Ilya Yashin, a prominent Russian opposition leader, addresses the crowd. Recently released from imprisonment in Russia through a prisoner exchange, the image reflects the intensity of the political atmosphere. Though I avoid political discourse, preferring to stay clear of media narratives, I was struck by Ilya's charismatic demeanor, which reminded me of various dictators. As a Japanese photographer capturing this moment, I couldn’t help but feel that, in this instance, he seemed no different from other charismatic politicians. This made me wary of the dangers of getting swept up in the enthusiasm.
Valentin (Berlin, 2024)
In this portrait, I captured Valentin, a man who has traveled extensively across various countries long before the war began. Reflecting on his roots, Valentin notes that unlike Germans, Russians didn’t have the luxury to spend time on sports. Despite facing numerous challenges, he lives with strength and determination in his beloved Berlin. His sharp logic and strong ethical sense are evident, qualities that led him to invite me to the Ilya Yashin rally. The image, bathed in soft light, highlights Valentin's contemplative expression, offering a glimpse into the complex life of a man who navigates the world with resilience and intellectual depth.
an old friend (Russia, 2024)
In this image, I captured an old friend, a man living in a socially experimental village several hundred kilometers from a major city. Despite the simplicity of his surroundings, my friend's thoughts are anything but. As he contemplates the complexities of the world, he shares his reflections on the nature of truth and the challenges of modern life:
"Truth is always a tough one, since we often try to encapsulate very large complex phenomena under a single idea. To me, it seems like there are a multitude of truths, and everyone picks out the truths they like more while ignoring the others. Regarding the rich, it does seem that very often in our capitalistic world, capital is what is behind most decisions. Interests of those who control more of it, while using those who have less.” This image encapsulates the paradox of my friend's life: a man of deep thought and philosophical inquiry, choosing to live simply, close to nature, yet profoundly aware of the complex forces that shape the world beyond his rural surroundings.
Valentina (Burgas, 2024)
In this portrait, I captured Valentina, a young girl who spends every summer vacation on the beaches of Bulgaria. She joyfully swims with local children and eagerly asks me about Japan. Living in a central Russian city, Valentina seems untouched by the realities of war—a distant concept to her young, innocent mind. The warm light of the setting sun illuminates her face, embodying the purity and simplicity of childhood against the serene backdrop of the seaside.
Conclusion
The individuals featured in Echoes from the Motherland were met through personal chance encounters, with the exception of Ilya Yashin, whose story is included due to its broader significance. While these encounters may not represent a broad cross-section, the lives they live, as depicted here, are real and meaningful. I am deeply grateful for the opportunity to get to know most of them as individuals, and it is this connection that I am eager to share with others. Through this collection, I hope to offer a glimpse into their worlds, not just as subjects of a documentary, but as human beings whose stories deserve to be told.