FCCJ Main Bar & Sushi Bar
June 1-June 28, 2008
Munesuke Yamamoto

I believe that Japan's elderly have much to teach their lost and unhappy children.

Several years ago I was struck by the words of one subject, Shinichiro Miyajima, who was in his 80s. "Aging means to remove negative thoughts," he said.
Mr Miyajima had led a long and difficult life after losing his eyesight in his 50s.

Certainly, elderly people live like Zen monks. Perhaps after following a long and winding road, with so many ups and downs, they have realized what contentment is. You could call it enlightenment through training.

How different to the lifestyles of our young people, who are deceived by greed, saddled with stress and anguish. The measure of a person is not competition or economic principles, our elderly seem to tell us.

In taking these photos I have been fascinated by their wrinkled smiles, bended backs, bony fingers and eyes that look towards their final destination. I see delight, anger, sorrow and pleasure, remembrance of love, remembrance of war.

I point my camera at their memories.

June 1, 2008
Munesuke Yamamoto

The Exhibition Committee