He's younger than I am by 10 years. He's strong in mind and body, and loves race-car-driving. On February the 8th, Kanto region had a record breaking heavy snow and on the next day February the 9th, his peaceful time before the breakfast was destroyed by the sudden snow accident and he's still unconscious now. We were in the snow at the same time even though we live in different countries. What does it mean? I took my cigar-holder that I would use with him after some decades and I prayed his recovery while listening to his favorite album. (Seattle)

These fellows who don't have a sophistication to understand the sound of Shakuhachi played by Scott advices me to use it to burn the wood in the camping. How harsh are they? But, he said that he likes the unique base sound generated by the combination between the friction of the air and the bamboo and the heartwarming interesting world produced by the shiny high tone. (Seattle)

Right now, Ms. Kiyoka Kimura is leading many projects to move her ballet classes and to establish a new one. She's working very hard to popularize Japanese ballet and she's busy everyday teaching her technique and art that she learned in Germany. Whenever I step up to her, I feel her wonderful spirit (Kagurazaka, Tokyo).

When I returned to the hotel after dinner, I saw a woman using her smartphone at the lobby. I was fascinated by her strong signal, I though I must photograph her. And, at the moment I tried to approach to her holding up my camera, she looked up and her eyes met mine. I said that I'm also travelling and I'd like to take a picture of her. She smiled and nodded. So, I pressed the shutter as if I was proposing her by kneeling down. On the picture, she never look cautious. Instead, she looks so natural as if we know each other for years. Of course, this picture became my favorite portrait. When I meet a stranger, I usually leave feeling some regret. But, she was different and I felt I want to see her again. (Ebisu, Tokyo)

She's an honest, cheerful, and good nature woman. In her college, she majors in some advanced field that I don't understand even though she explained it to me. I was moved by her diligence to finish dinner quickly to do homework. When she was called by her mother, her face still seemed to be occupied by the content of the textbook. (Seattle)

They said this day was her first day working at this coffee shop and she starts working after having a delicious coffee and sweets. She looks anxious, but also ambitious. After she finished, she tried pay, but the master said she doesn't have to . I was lucky enough to be able to encounter this sweet scene. (Akasaka, Tokyo)

Later, I revisited the coffee shop because I wondered how she was doing. She was wearing her uniform and working happily. While watching her, I had their special blue mountain. It was bitter but had a clear aftertaste. Feeling so great, I went out to the rainy street. (Akasaka, Tokyo)

On the same day, I went to Rene Burri's monochrome photography exhibition at the Leica Gallery in Ginza. The Staff at Leica said they check Photo Yodobashi and I was happy to know that they remember my Vol. 15 talking about the Leica Akademie. After that, I went into a bright café. I sat at the counter and ordered so-called "Beef Stew Set" for my lunch. Next, I wondered around the weekend pedestrian precinct. I was surprised to see many foreigners, but they were walking and smiling. There was a woman saying "wait for me!" walking fast to catch up with her company. Her fashion suited her very much. (Ginza, Tokyo)

I went to the exhibition Carolina Ceca "Infinito" being held at the Spanish Embassy. Luckily, my friend introduced me to the very artist and I could listen to her explanation. She lived in Japan for several years and could feel the super-realistic moments in the working process after becoming versed in Japanese aesthetic sense. Her 23 works represents the sense of "no limit" which she had been searching for and they are expressed by photography, origami, watercolor painting, mixed media, sketches, and ashes. They struck my heart indeed. That day, spring sunshine reached to the white space and it was perfect match with her theme. Standing behind the lighted exhibition box, she appeared as if she lived in a surrealistic world. (Roppongi, Tokyo)

This small 20cm wall clock has bee working for almost 30 years since I lived in Japan. He's popular getting attention from everyone. But, he keeps ticking inexpressively no matter what happens around him and he'll be this way from now on, too. What a cool guy. (Seattle)

Most of my snapshots are taken being unnoticed by the subjects, but these days I also shoot after telling them I would photograph them. But, this isn't the classic portrait photography that are shot with the perfect light, shadow, and background. Instead, what I do is snapshooting portraits. So, I personally coined a new term, "portsnap."

So, what about showing the first example using myself.
It was shot by Izumi Suzuki using the Leica M and the Macro Elmarit-R 60mm F2.8.

( 2014.03.24 )