18.JUL.2008
In the Nikon shop in Kobe Outlet the photos of Yap Island are on the gallery wall as well.
http://shop.nikon-image.com/store/kobesanda/index.html#3
I would like to go see them myself if I had the chance.


15.JUL.2008
The photos from Yap Island are now on the gallery wall of Nikon's shop in Gotemba Outlet.
http://shop.nikon-image.com/store/gotenba/index.html#2
It will be there till early September. Please have a look!


26.JUN. - 4.JUL.2008
Went for a diving trip to Yap Island of the Federated States of Micronesia. The main objective: Manta rays in the ocean with black & white film, and some color-digital work on land.
It was my first time in Yap, and as soon as I got there, I realized it was a much laid-back place even compared to Palau. Actually, unexpected but I liked it and preferred it that way, so it was a really nice trip.
First of all, no money exchange place, cannot use credit cards, the claimed baggage were brought to us on a small pickup truck and was displayed in front of us like they do fresh fish in a fish market, the cart was the same blue ones that the Japanese Takkyu-bin guys use, and broken, but possible to use.
The owner of the Village View Hotel himself was there to pick me up. The hotel was in front of the beach and I had ocean view! As all of the 5 cottages were facing the small beach of the small village. Other than that there were the only restaurant and the only diving shop. Of course all the local villagers know each other with good relationships between themselves. Breakfast, lunch and dinner, we had to have in this restaurant (meaning there's no more options) with the staff and other customer divers, so I wasn't alone for the most of the time and had a really good time. No phones, no TV, of course no Internet, despite there were air conditioning both my legs were bitten a lot by the ticks (probably) and itched; but at night time it was naturally dark, and the waves as a lullaby, getting up in the morning at around sunrise, I felt much healthier.
It was towards the end of the dry season, and they had a lack of water in their water resources underground, they had to stop water running from the faucet except for a few hours during the morning, midday, and night. I thought it was somewhat good that you really feel the preciousness of water, especially for someone from a country like Japan. Moreover, you can actually just do without water running always, if you have some in empty bottles and cups. The rainy season was starting but overall, the weather was good and so my work on land was quite successful (up to now as I haven't shown it to my clients yet), and out of the 18 dives I did all together, I saw a school of grey reef sharks! and the manta rays a few times, and what was most exciting was that I got to encounter them really close, relaxed, and most on my last dive there. I still feel good and have a big smile on my face after I've come back, and in return, I find myself not fitted to the life in the big city, as I couldn't find the right station to change the trains, etc. already.
I really would like to thank the staff of the Rize Diving Center, who were really kind and friendly, with unbusinesslike attitude (naturally), and of course the local people who were always with smiles when saying hello, and the Island of Yap itself which was really a comfortable place to be in, and to all the Gods of Nature who let me be there with the manta rays.
I need to work hard on developing film and printing from now on, for my up coming exhibition next year in April-May!



20.JUN.2008
Renewed the pages for workshops & photography courses. Please have a look and feel free to ask any questions if any.
Come join and have fun!


18.JUN.2008
The darkroom for the Waldorf highschool in Fujino, is almost completed! From here on, they could work on their own, try for themselves many things, and I look forward to seeing their works in their school festival in autumn!


15.JUN.2008
Been to Yamanashi Prefecture also for a photo contest for high school students. There were 1,642 prints handed in, from 201 students of 29 schools! It was my first time seeing so many photos in 2 or 3 hours, plus, in front of all the students who were the photographers, and so I think it was a good experience for the future event. I guess it was somewhat interesting for them, too, seeing and listening to me mumbling comments like: "Hey, this ones impressing!" or "Hmmm, this would have been good if it were a little more.... but it's good-bye!", I'ld rather have had time to give more comments on all of the photos or have discussions with them, though.
It was interesting to see a lot of photos taken of their friends who were in the sports clubs such as tennis, softball, wrestling, rugby football, Kyu-do (Japanese traditional archery), etc., and I think it's good that there would be more communication between themselves in doing so. It would not be difficult to find the subject and the chances, but at the same time, photos of sports would be required technical aspects such as good focus, and the very best timings, exposure, etc.
Honestly, it was a bit sad that only 1/4 of the photos were hand made black & white prints in the darkroom. Oh, well....
Although the event of the day was only for a few hours, I really had a good time. Coming to think that I'm involved nowadays very often with high school students from various places, I wonder what I would have been doing and how my life would have been, had I started photography when I was in high school myself. Back then, I joined the softball club for a few months and the rest of the days, in volleyball club, and absolutely no interest whatsoever in photography at that time!


01.JUN.2008
With 8 high school students and their teacher from the Waldorf highschool in Fujino, had a darkroom workshop at JCII (Japan Camera Industry Institute).
We developed black & white negative film and made some prints. I'm glad they all had fun, meaning that they are now interested and can be enthusiastic to learn more.
They want to establish a photography club and have their own darkroom at their school. I'm enjoying being part of it!


27.MAY.2008
Was in Niigata Prefecture for the annual event for the high school students. Almost all the members of the photography club of the high schools in Niigata gather up and I was one of the guest lecturers. It's fun, and I always learn a lot from them, ever since 2005.
They told me to say something in front of everybody at the closing ceremony so I mentioned the following:
"Recently, I've had chances to talk to and exchange e-mails with some high school teachers of the photo-club, but I was very disappointed that all they talk about is about the contests, and how to get good prizes, good results in them.
I wouldn't deny the good aspects of the contests, but I don't consider photography as something only for competitions. It is something that shows the inner self of the photographer, which is hard to explain or wear out.
Japanese people seem to like giving places (who's first, second...) and decide who's superior, or count the medals and prizes, etc., but, ones inner self, or your heart has no superiority nor inferiority to no other.
I hope the teachers of each school would not only go for the contests but through photography, try to learn from them, see their inner selves, talk about them, and so on, because that's what we cannot do unless you share the daily lives.
And the students, they shouldn't just only believe what the adults are saying! I'm not trying to say to be disobedient, but you should think again and find out for yourselves whether what they are saying are true, true for you, and true for the others. Let's reconsider things.
Photography has no correct answers, nor are there failures in photography. Winning the first prize doesn't mean everything. I hope everyone would appreciate the deeper aspect of what photography could do, that shows the different sense of values, and thus seek their own possibilities, to know oneself, to know the people around you; there is by far, more large and deep world waiting for you if you really go into photography.
(I hope I made myself clear with the language!)



23.APR.2008
Will be on TV in the program: ZOOM in !! SUPER
OA: 1, May, 2008, Thursday 5:51-55
Channel 4 (Nippon TV)
A bit of advice in taking fun photos.


14.APR.2008
Come and join us for a group exhibition course
at Gallery Roonee 247photography
Critique and discussion:May10, Jun14, Jul12, Aug9 (Saturdays), 2008
Installation:Aug. 24(Sun)
Exhibition: Aug. 26th(Tue)-31(Sun)
For info:Roonee247photography
http://www.roonee.com/

or click the CONTACT page


26.MAR.2008
Will be in Nagoya for the Event organized by TOP CAMERA,
as lecturer. Beautiful model girls will be there for you to take photos.
Sunday, 13th, April, 2008 at Nagoya Castle
http://www.topcamera.co.jp/

14.MAR.2008
Participating in 2 events at PIE (Photo Imaging Expo) 2008
Date: 20th, March, 2008 (Thursday, holiday)
11:45-12:45 (lecture in Japanese, questions could be in English)
Level-up (skill enhancing) Seminar :Cameras Corner
"On Composition & How to make Approach to the Subject
- while enjoying underwater photography"
http://www.photoimagingexpo.jp/levelup.php

13:30-14:30 Stage Event (Specially made Stage Corner)
Discussion on Personal Works by Female Photographers
with Ms. Y. Sato, and others
http://www.photoimagingexpo.jp/event.php

6 - 12.MAR.2008
To Yellowknife, Canada for an aurora viewing tour.
I've been under ice, diving, but never have experienced -20 degrees, -30 degrees C., and am expecting it to be extraordinary!
Accompanied by a very experienced aurora photographer Mr. T., it would still be difficult to get good photos. I'll just take it easy!

18.FEB.2008
Slide show and lecture at PIE (Photo Imaging Expo) 2008
Date: 20th, March, 2008 (Thursday, holiday)
11:45-12:45 (lecture in Japanese, questions could be in English)
Level-up (skill enhancing) Seminar :Cameras Corner
"On Composition & How to make Approach to the Subject
- while enjoying underwater photography"
http://www.photoimagingexpo.jp/levelup.php

5-9.FEB.2008
Out of town for a diving trip to Yonaguni, Okinawa.
Encountered some groups of hammerhead sharks, as expected, and also a trio of dolphins! The blue-water was great, too! Although, it was rainy and windy throughout the stay and cold than I thought, I was quite happy about it, and came back refreshed.

26.JAN.2008
Group exhibition at Gallery Roonee
Works by members and Sayaka at the workshop supervised by Sayaka.
Tue., 29, Jan - Sun., 3, Feb, 2008
12:00 -19:00 / last day -16:00
http://www.roonee.com/
Thanks for coming!

28.DEC.2007
The whole site is being renewed.
The GALLERY page has been updated.
Please enjoy!
Thanks for waiting!

18.DEC.2007
CAMERAMAN monthly January 2008 Edition
Available in stores on Wed., 19th
pp.90-94 Digital Photography Day for High School Students
(As Lecturer)
pp.96-97 My Photo LIfe -How girls enjoy photography-
(New project planned by Sayaka)
pp.126-127 PROKIZAI DOT COM Special Report
(Japanese KIMONO! photos)
pp.128-134 Cameraman Special Feature, "SAIZENSEN"
(Featuring Mr. H. Watanabe)
http://www.digi-came.com/jp/modules/icontent/index.php?page=82

06.DEC.2007
Lecture at Waseda University
"Womens' Career Creating"
Slide show and talk as guest lecturer
18:00-19:30

DEC.2008
Renewal of the website.