Press Release2021
The 37th Higashikawa Awards
The Town of Photography
Culture Capital of Photography
Information

Higashikawa International Photography Festival Office
Mayor : Ichiro Matsuoka

HIGASHIKAWA, KAMIKAWA-GUN, HOKKAIDO**********************************************************************<Address>

HIGASHIKAWA PUBLIC

OFFICE

Organizers: Keisuke Takeda, Hiroko Yoshizato
1-16-1, Higashimachi, Higashikawa, Hokkaido 071-1492 Japan
TEL. +81 166 82 2111 / FAX. +81 166 82 4704
http://photo-town.jp/ E-mail: photo@town.higashikawa.lg.jp

The 37th Higashikawa Award Winners◆The Overseas Photographer Award：Mo Yi(China)For his works such as “1m, The Scenery Behind Me” (1989), “I am a dog.”(1996) and his accomplishments as a photographer.

◆The Domestic Photographer Award：SETO Masato
For his exhibition, “Maps of Memory” (Tokyo Photographic Art Museum,2020).

◆The New Photographer Award：IWANE Ai
For her photobook, “KIPUKA” (Seigensha, 2018), and her works

exhibited at “Twilight Daylight: Contemporary Japanese Photography Vol.17”(Tokyo Photographic Art Museum, 2020) and her photographic activities.

◆The Special Photographer Award：SHIRAISHI Chieko
For her photobook, “SHIKAWATARI (Deer Crossing)” (Sokyusha, 2020)◆The Hidano Kazuemon Award：NAKANO Masataka
For his exhibition, “Tokyo” (Tokyo Photographic Art Museum, 2019), andhis works, “Tokyo” (Crevis, 2019), “Tokyo Windows” (Kawade Shobo Shinsha, 2004),“TOKYO NOBODY” (Little More, 2000) and his long-term achievements inphotographing Tokyo.

Commentary on the Selection of the 37th Higashikawa Photography Awards
UENO Osamu
Higashikawa Photography Award Jury Committee
Selection of the 37th Town of Photography Higashikawa Award was carriedout on March 3, 2021. Those nominated this year include 73 photographers for theDomestic Photographer Award, 88 for the New Photographer Award, 26 for the Special
Photographer Award, 38 for the Hidano Kazuuemon Award, and 29 for the Overseas
Photographer Award. Although we expected fewer nominees due the COVID-19 crisis,in the end there was an approximate 10% increase from last year.
Like years past, the morning was spent examining photo books and resources.
From the afternoon, the selection process began to choose 5 awardees from 205
photographers. Although two jurors were absent this year, they submitted theirnominees in advance which was accounted for in the final count.

For the Domestic Photographer Award, it was a battle between threephotographers in the final stages with SETO Masato winning after the final vote anddiscussion. Son of the Japanese father and Vietnamese mother, he has been going backand forth between Japan and Thailand, and his exhibition, “Maps of Memory” was aculmination of over 50 years of photographing the daily lives of the people, the regional
characteristics, and society of various regions in Asia. His work exposes photography asa medium not only for “recording” but also as “memory”. From his debut work,“Bangkok, Hanoi 1982-1987” to his most recent work, “Silent Mode2020”, each series
and their well-planned exhibitions also have received high praise.

For the New Photographer Award, which each year sees a hard and close fight,
those remaining in the final stage included IWANE Ai, SAITO Harumichi, TAGAWA
Motonari, HAYASHI Noriko, MIZUTANI Yoshinori, and YAMAMOTO Ayaka. Afterseveral rounds of voting and discussion, IWANE Ai was selected for her overall
activities including her photo book “KIPUKA”, publication “Trip to Kipuka”, and theexhibition, “Twilight Daylight: Contemporary Japanese Photography Vol.17” which
includes new work taken in the spring under the declaration of the State of Emergency.
While continuing traditional documentary photography methods, she goes beyond

orthodox frameworks with her dynamic style. This is no doubt appropriate for the New
Photographer Award.

For the Special Photographer Award, SHIRAISHI Chieko was selected for her
photo book, “Shika Watari (Deer Crossing)”, which captures Hokkaido’s winter and thescenery of Doto (EasternHokkaido) in a unique monochromatic tone. Her photographs
capture the uniqueness of the region, the tranquil nature where migratory birds fly by
the seaside and herds of Hokkaido sika deer cross frozen lakes. As these work focus on
Hokkaido as subject matter, Shiraishi’s work perfectly fits the stipulations for theSpecial Photographer Award.

For the Hidano Kazuuemon Award, NAKANO Masataka was chosen for his
consistent photography of Tokyo. Although his retrospective exhibition “Tokyo” was heldin 2019, the scenes of “TOKYO NOBODY” capture Tokyo without people, and with the
COVID-19 crisis, the photographs take on new meaning. Reflecting how meaningchanges according to the times is one unique quality of photography and awarding the
Hidano Kazuuemon Award to works that capture a region over a long period of time wasa chance to revalidate the meaning of this award.

For the Overseas Photographer Award, after the explanations by juror
SUGANUMA Hiroshi based on his careful research, Mo Yi was selected from China. As
ifoverturningtransformation

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traditional

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photography

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embodyconceptual

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photography in China. While continuing to use photography as a medium, Mo wasselected for his continual work that repeatedly explores visual experimentation.

Normally each year selection takes place around a round table, but this year,with the declaration of the State of Emergency, all the masked jurors assembled in alarge room separated by a large table in order to prevent the spread of the virus. Thatbeing said, the selection process, with the fervent discussion and debate, did not change.
It should be noted that a bento lunch was taken in the jury room, and many jurors
enthusiastically examined resources even during that time.
Although 2020 will be remembered for the COVID-19 crisis, there were not a
few occurrences with adverse conditions for photography and cameras. Despite this, thefact that award selection could safely take place as in the past is no doubt a result of
long history since the “Declaration of Town of Photography” in 1985 to today. Needlessto say, this is due to the cooperation and sympathy of the people of Higashikawa. This
year’s selection process will also be remembered for our increasing gratitude to theresidents of Higashikawa.

The Jury Committee of the 36th Higashikawa Photography Awards
Anju <Photographer> -------------------------------------------------------------36th –UENO Osamu <Photo Critic>---------------------------------------------------31st–
KAMIYAMA Ryoko <Curator, Japanese postwar art history >---------37th―
KITANO Ken <Photographer>---------------------------------------------------33rd–
KURAISHI Shino <Photo Critic, Poet>----------------------------------------35th –SHIBASAKI Tomoka <Novelist>-------------------------------------------------34th –NIWA Harumi <Curator>-----------------------------------------------------------33rd –HARA Koichi <Designer>-----------------------------------------------------------34th –The Overseas Photographer Award
Mo Yi
Lives in Zhejiang, China

Born in Tibet, China in 1958. Gave up his career as a professional soccer
player. In 1982, he encountered a camera and decided to create a world in which heexpresses himself freely through photography, like in literature or paintings. Made his
debut with his solo exhibition “Father” (large-scale salon exhibition at Tianjin museum).
He distanced himself from the strength and gentleness of his father's generation,
depicted in the art world at the time, and showed a new perspective by expressing thecomplexity of human nature, including awkwardness and distortion. “1m, The Scenery

Behind Me” (Tianjin City Central Park Exhibition Hall), presented at the groupexhibition in 1989, was born from his performance art where he hung his camera behind
his neck and focused it backward, taking pictures every five steps. The depression andisolation of the people before the Tiananmen Square Incident are shown in the pictures.
Unfortunately, the pictures were removed from the venue only two days after the
beginning of the exhibition. In his “Dog’s eye” presented in Popular Photography in
1995, he attached his camera with a mortar to the tripod, carrying it upside down, witha release in his other hand, shooting pictures without using the finder while walking
down the streets. His works were misunderstood as “the world from a dog’s point ofview”, so he changed the title to “I am a dog.” The idea that people who can’t articulate
their opinions are the same as animals, so they don’t need to see the world led to the useof this method. In his 1997 work, “Red flash-Me in my scenery“, “Red flash-Takako’s

red skirt-Walking in Beijing“ in 2004, and the 2011 solo exhibition “Landscape mixed
with red”( Zen Foto Gallery, Tokyo) , he presented a collection of works which are dyed
red, showing the world reached by the illumination of the flash, using a red plastic
board. His works consider the psychological relationship between the color red, which
has a specific meaning in China, the government, or time period and the connection
with the people. In addition to the medium of photography, he continues to create
works that question the nature of the individual, society, and the nation as aphotographer.

<Artist Statements>
News of me winning this award came very suddenly. In China, it is impossible
for me to receive such an award. Recently in China, photography that emphasizes stylewith a contemporary art-like accent is well-favored.
But I’m not surprised. My work has had an important role by pioneering
endeavors in the field of photography. Before 2000, besides me, artists who madephotographs that had experimental post-modern art concepts and reflected
contemporary China did not exist.
On this occasion, I was very happy in the beginning to be able to meet Mr.
Gao Yan, a photographer and researcher born in the 80s. He described the spiritual
meaning of my photography as “provoke”. To me, he is a true friend that goes beyond
age generations. I’m very happy to be nominated by him.
There is more happy news. As the jurors for the Higashikawa Awards do notreside in China, it’s not expected that they would know about the current situation in
the country, but I hope they can catch a glimpse through my work. I believe my
photography can convey ideas that go beyond geographical parameters and narration
within the historical context of photography. Documentary photography as a method is
not about expressing narration but conveying shared emotions and spirituality ofpeople.
To be recognized by friends different in ethnicity and nationality is thegreatest gift and encouragement for me. I am full of gratitude.

Mo Yi, April 11, 2021

The Domestic Photographer Award
SETO Masato
Lives in Tokyo

Born in Udon Thani, Thailand in 1953. Moved to his father’s hometown,
Fukushima prefecture in 1961. While studying at Tokyo School of Photography (nowTokyo Visual Arts), he met MORIYAMA Daido and was inspired to be a photographer.
Worked as an assistant for FUKASE Masahisa and started his own business in 1981.
Opened his own gallery Place M in 1987. In 1988, he visited his birthplace Bangkok,
Thailand as well as Hanoi, Vietnam where his mother’s relatives live, for the first timein 20 years. Published a photography book, “Bangkok, Hanoi” (IPC, 1989), a
documentary depicting streets and people as well as an exploration of his own roots andwon “the Photographic Society of Japan newcomer’s award”. Moved to Tokyo after sometime in Asia and the Middle East. Won “the Higashikawa New Photographer Award”
for “Living Room, Tokyo” ( Place M, ’92-’94), which captures a vibrantly internationalpart of Tokyo, where people live in ordinary apartment buildings. Won two awards,“the 21st Kimura Ihei Award” and “the Society of Photography Award” for his portrait
photography “Silent Mode” ( Mole, 1996), a series of close portraits of women taken on
the train using the silent mode on his compact camera to show the humanity within
their expressionless faces. He displays his various talents by winning “the 12th
Shincho Gakugei Literature Award” in 1991 for his essay, “Tooi and Masato” (Asahi
Shimbun Publications Inc.1998), which documents his trip to explore his own roots
through a recounting of his childhood memories, and also provides a first-hand accountof a wide variety of complex Asian history.
His solo exhibition “Maps of Memory” (Tokyo Photographic Art Museum,2020) was displays pieces from each period of his life to give a comprehensive overview
of his works, from his first works, “Bangkok, Hanoi 1982-1987” to the latest “Silent

Mode 2020”. Has documented the people, lives, climate, nature and society of various
Asian countries over more than a half a century.

<Artist Statements>

In 1984, the town of Higashikawa declared itself a town of photography, and tome, who had just decided to be a photographer, it was a place I strived for. Now aftersome 40 years, it is with great pride for me to receive the “Domestic PhotographerAward”.
I first visited Higashikawa in 1992 when my teacher, Masahisa Fukase, wasawarded the “Special Photographer Award,” but due to a sudden accident just before theaward ceremony, so I had to receive the award on his behalf. Some years later I visited
Higashikawa again to receive the “New Photographer Award”. It was the height ofsummer and the fields were vibrant green. White lilies fluttered in gardens by thehouse, and the unforgettable scent of summer floated here and there. I was surprised at
how cold but tasty the tap water was, due to the melting snow of Mt. Taisetsu.
In my speech at the time, I said, “Not doubt I will come back for a third time.”
Now that it has been realized, I look forward to visiting yet again in the future.
SETO Masato

The New Photographer Award
IWANE Ai
Lives in Tokyo

Born in 1975. Studied at Petrolia High School in the U.S in an off-grid,self-sufficient lifestyle. After coming back to Japan and working as an assistant, shestarted working as a photographer in 1996.
In 2006, she visited Hawaii for the first time and encountered Hamakua
Judo Mission, the oldest Japanese Buddhist temple in Hawaii and learned about thehistory of Japanese immigrants. Fascinated by the enthusiasm of the Bon dance heldin the temple, she commuted to Hawaii and visited Bon dances.
In 2011, she learned that the original song of “Fukusima-ondo” played
live at the various bon dance venues in Hawaii, is the same as “Soma bon dance” played
at the evacuation sites of the Great East Japan earthquake.

Since then, she has

repeatedly visited Fukushima and has an office in Miharumachi, Fukushima
prefecture.
She repaired a rotating large-format panoramic camera used to takegroup photos at funerals in a Japanese photo studio in the 1930s and took a 360 degree
photo of the evacuation area in Fukushima and the graveyard of the first generation
immigrants. With the theme of the immigrants’ relationships between Hawaii and
Fukushima, she published her first photography book, “KIPUKA” (Seigensha Art
Publishing, Inc) in 2018, mixed with the pictures of a massive lava flow which occurred
on Hawaii island in 2018 and showing the beautiful and harsh Hawaii nature.
Received “the 44th Kimura Ihei Award” and “the 44th Ina Nobuo Award” for the book.
Planned and produced as an associate producer a documentary movie “A song fromhome” in 1919 (Directed by Nakae Yuji, Telecom staff Co., Ltd.) depicting the interactionof the Bon dance players of Hawaii and Futaba town.

Published “Journey towards

KIPUKA” (Ohta Publishing.com) with her 12- year work of building bridges between
Hawaii and Fukushima connected through bon dance.

In her group exhibition,“Twilight Daylight: Contemporary Japanese Photography Vol.17 (Tokyo Photographic
Art Museum, 2020), she exhibited “A NEW RIVER”, the pictures of the cherry blossoms
in the evacuation area of Fukushima and the night view of cherry blossoms in Miharu,
Kitakami, Tono, Ichinoseki and Hachinohe, deserted because of the corona disaster.
Published “A NEW RIVER” (bookshop M) at the same time.

<Artist Statements>“Kipuka” refers to “the place of new life,” in Hawaiian whereby seeds of plantsthat look like islands after a lava flow become the source of regeneration.
Following the Bon festival song, “Fukushima Ondo,” that came from
Fukushima to Hawaii with immigrants, I have continued my journey. Researching over
12 years meant getting to know the endless time of folk songs for the Bon festival Dancebeing played. Due to the dramatic decrease in farmers due to the Great Famine of theTenmei and Tempo eras, people came to Soma province from Echigo. I learnt that somebrought Soma-yaki pottery techniques learned there back to Echigo, when a great many
settled in Soma. I didn’t expect to learn that before long, sake, soy sauce, and shochu
were stored in tokkuri sake bottles known as Matsugoya-yaki ware and brought toHokkaido from Echigo by pioneers crossing the sea.
The enthusiasm of the people who have kept these songs alive for over a
century, songs that have repeatedly disappeared or have been lost, made me realize that
this is where I live with time within a long period of time and that it is a miracle. It is
too great of an honor for me to receive the New Photographer Award.

IWANE Ai

The Special Photographer AwardSHIRAISHI Chieko
Lives in Tokyo

Born in Yokosuka city, Kanagawa prefecture. Started taking pictures while
traveling. Traveled various countries such as Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand, India,
Nepal and Pakistan and started photography seriously in the 2000s.
Published her first photo-book, “Cacti and tails” (Tosei-sha Publications) withthe “buildings quietly taking a deep breath in the corners of the towns and things thatare a little blunt”. Later attracted to the classic technique called “Zokingake method(cleaning with a cloth)” mixing oil paints on a layer of oil on the prints, which was
popular among amateur photographers in the 20s and the 30s. At the solo exhibition“Days on Penguin island” held in 2012, she presented monochrome prints full of poetic
sentiment visualizing her childhood funny memories. In 2015, she made them into her
second photobook, “SHIMAKAGE” (Sokyu-sha). Unrealistic painting-like scenery,
although they’re photographs, is presented by using the “Zokingake method”.
Actively works in Japan as well as overseas, for example, a solo exhibition“SHIKAWATARI (Deer Crossing) ” (mind’s eye gallery Adrian Bondy, 2019) and joining
Tbilisi Photo Festival 2016. “SHIKAWATARI (Deer Crossing) ”, which she presented
in Paris, are pictures she took while following herds of deer in eastern Hokkaido andwere made into photobook, “SHIKAWATARI (Deer Crossing) ” (Sokyu-sha) in 2020. In
the snow-covered scenery, unique to Hokkaido, her quiet story of the deer enveloped in
the soft light is displayed.

<Artist Statements>
I would like to express my deep gratitude for receiving this award.
My photo book “SHIKAWATARI” began in 2014 when I visited Hokkaido in
the winter. Up to 2020, I visited Doto every winter to take photographs. I discovered thewinter landscapes of Doto (Eastern Hokkaido) after feeling entrapped after theearthquake disaster of 2011. In the silent pure whiteness, the dim sight of a row of
Hokkaido sika deer crossing a frozen lake was very striking to me. To be able tophotograph nature and animal so up-close made me think about the view of nature heldby our ancestors as well as the memory that was passed down to living creatures on
Hokkaido. A strange sense of unity with nature boils up in me, and I feel I can finallybreathe deeply for the first time since the 2011 disaster.
Last year, in the midst of the growing anxiety over COVID-19 crisis, my viewof my photographs changed. I thought I really wanted to make this book then, andespecially it is because of these difficult circumstances that I strongly felt I wanted toshare this scenery with others and decided to publish it. I’m deeply grateful for all of
those who have seen my photo book.
SHIRAISHI Chieko

The Hidano Kazuuemon Award
NAKANO Masataka
Lives in Tokyo

Born in Fukuoka prefecture in 1955.

Has lived in Tokyo since 1956.

Worked under the photographer, Akimoto Shigeru after graduating from the Faculty of
Visual Communication Design at Musashino Art University, in 1979.

Becameindependent in 1980 as a freelance photographer mainly submitting his works tomagazines and advertising companies.
Presented his photography book, “TOKYO NOBODY” (Little More) in 2000
which captures the unseen deserted Tokyo Landscapes.

The same book won“Photographic Society of Japan newcomer’s award” in 2001. Received “the 30th Kimura
Ihei Award” for the photography book, “TOKYO WINDOWS” (Kawade Shobo Shinsha,
2004), capturing surreal elements of Tokyo, which can be observed from the windows of
the buildings and houses. In his 20s, he traveled to his beloved New York, L.A and San
Francisco in 1980s and captured American scenery using Kodachrome positive films.
Published a photography book, “MY LOST AMERICA” and won “the 8th Sagamihara
Photo Award” in 2008.
His solo exhibition “TOKYO” ( Tokyo Photographic Art Museum, 2019-2020)
was made up of his representative “Tokyo trilogy”, TOKYO NOBODY which captures
the deserted Tokyo, TOKYO WINDOWS which captures the elements of Tokyo takenfrom buildings windows, and TOKYO FLOAT which captures Tokyo floating on theriver presenting the ever-changing metropolis, Tokyo, over 30 years. TOKYONOBODY has again gained attention now that the deserted Tokyo landscapes areharboring a new meaning as if predicting the current corona disaster. He continues totake these photographs today with this original viewpoint of an ever-changing
metropolis, Tokyo.

<Artist Statements>

It is great news that I received the Hidano Kazuuemon Award from theHigashikawa Awards.
In this global COVID-19 menace, our lives are full of a fear we have neverexperienced before, so this news is a small beacon of light for me.
I have continued to photograph Tokyo for over some 30 years since 1990, andbeing recognized for this work over such a long time makes me full of gratitude; it is a
reward for all the hard work and struggle.
I would like to express my deep gratitude to all of the jurors who selected me, as
well as all those connected to the Higashikawa Awards.
Although it is said that it is hard to capture Tokyo’s bewildering pace oftransformation, I’ve tried to come to understand this great metropolis by setting a few
parameters.
I have observed the city through individual filters: in a moment when Tokyo isseen without people, Tokyo seen through various windows, and Tokyo seen from theriver, which is the origin of the city’s development.
I am greatly encouraged by receiving this award and hope to plan my nextchallenge.

NAKANO Masataka

Higashikawa International Photography Festival
Photo Fiesta 2021

Award Winners’ Exhibition
Date: 31 July (Sat.) – 1 September (Wed.), 2021
Venue: Higashikawa Bunka Gallery
Time: 10:00 - 17:00
Admission: ¥100
Organize: The Town of Photography: Higashikawa
Address: 1-19-8 Higashi-machi, Higashikawa-cho, Kamikawa-gun, 071-1423 Hokkaido
Tel: (+81)-(0)166-82-4700 Fax: (+81)-(0)166-82-4704

Artists:
Mo Yi(The Overseas Photographer Award)

SETO Masato (The Domestic Photographer Award)
IWANE Ai (The New Photographer Award)
SHIRAISHI Chieko (The Special Photographer Award)
NAKANO Masataka (The Hidano Kazuuemon Award)

Event Schedule:
31 July (Sat.)

13:30-14:30 Award Ceremony
15:30-17:00 Opening Reception

1 August (Sun.)

13:00-17:30 Panel Discussion
Panelists: award winners, judges and guests※There is a possibility that schedule may be modified related to the current coronavirus
situation.

Higashikawa Awards[Purpose]With the idea of contributing to and fostering photographic culture as well as
raising the cultural consciousness of Higashikawa residents, starting this year, 1985,
we will annually be awarding prizes accompanied by monetary gifts to thephotographer for his / her works.

[Awards]
The Overseas Photographer Award*1,000,000 yen to a overseas photographer
The Domestic Photographer Award*1,000,000 yen to a Japanese photographer
The New Photographer Award*500,000 yen to a Japanese photographer
The Special Photographer Award*500,000 yen to a photographer from Hokkaido
The Hidano Kazuuemon Award*500,000 yen to a photographer who contributed to society throughphotography[Conditions]
The Overseas Photographer Award is presented to a photographer in a specificcountry or region chosen each year. He / She must be either living or born in thatcountry or region.
The Domestic and the New Photographer Awards are presented to photographers
whose work has been taken within the past three years that has significance either inthe history of photography or as some unique expression of the art of photography.
The Special Photographer Award is presented to a photographer living or born in
Hokkaido or whose theme and / or object concerns this island.
The Hidano Kazuuemon Award is presented to a photographer in acknowledgementof his longtime contributions in taking photographs of local people, nature and culture.
(The prize is open to both professional and amateur photographers.)
Of all the prizes, no specific restrictions are applied concerning the year it wastaken for the Overseas Prize, the Special Prize and the Hidano Kazuuemon Prize.
[Selection]
The works selected by nominators charged by the executive committee are judged
by the Jury Committee of the Higashikawa Award. The awards ceremony is held eachyear during the period of the Photo Fiesta in Higashikawa Town and is accompaniedby commemorative symposiums and other events.

[Other Stipulations]
The monetary gift presented with the Higashikawa Awards is meant to purchasethe original prints of the awarded photographs. Each awardee is requested tovoluntarily submit original print(s) of his / her choice from among the awarded works
to the residents of Higashikawa town.
The residents of the town shall be responsible for storing the photographs with careand for exhibiting them to visitors to Higashikawa, the Town of Photography.
These awarded photographs are exhibited at the Higashikawa Photography
Museum in order to contribute to promoting a friendship and cultural development of
the Town of Higashikawa.
We may present other awards to the photographs of outstanding works in order tocontribute to photographic culture as well as to development of the Higashikawa
Awards. For this reason, awards from other committees and sponsors are negotiable.

The Town of Photography
Culture Capital of Photography: Higashikawa
Higashikawa Town is located in central Hokkaido, northernmost of Japan, and is apart of Japan's

largest nationalpark "Daisetsuzan

National

Park" with

Higashikawa's eastern part forming a large-scale forest. Blessed with natural beauty,
lots of places in Higashikawa have been the subjects of many photographs.
Higashikawa, firstly cultivated by a group of settlers in 1895, has a shorter history
compared to that of photography invented in 1839. Higashikawa declared the “Townof Photography” in 1985 aiming to create a town of “being a good subject to be
photographed” co-existing with beautiful nature inhabited by many species of animals
and plants.
Higashikawa established the Higashikawa Awards in the same year and started
the annual summer festival of photography with the idea of contributing to andfostering photographic culture as well as raising the cultural consciousness of
Higashikawa residents. With a history of more than a quarter of a century, it has been
the nation’s prestigious photography awards and the longest-running photography
festival.
Higashikawa awards can also be noted in that it has rewarded overseas
outstanding photographers such as Joel Sternfeld, Lewis Baltz and Jan Saudek aswell as domestic photographers and introduced them to Japan. Through this, we meet
people from abroad and exchange with them. By doing so, we believe we can entrust
prayer for peace and our dreams to the future generation.
Since the declaration of the Town of Photography, Higashikawa has been a platformof meeting people, photography culture and nature over the last 30 years. Celebrating
120 years of resource development of the land, we declared the Culture Capital of
Photography in May 2014, keeping in mind our motto “Take a picture, Save thepicture, Share it with others” and with the determination to link photography andpeople across the world.