HERBIE YAMAGUCHI
TOKYO EYES
Published by Super Labo, 2022
Book size 22 x 23 cm
Pages 48 (40 images)
Softcover
Languages English and Japanese
ISBN 978-4-908512-56-8
Until a few years ago, before the Covid-19 pandemic, I would have instantly stepped away from people walking towards me wearing black face masks because I thought they looked suspicious. Since wearing masks has now become an ordinary routine, those wearing black masks appear to me as stylish people who are fashionably coordinating their masks with their clothing. It is incredible how much our habit of wearing masks has changed perceptions. To me now, people wearing masks look as beautiful as never before because their eyes seem to shine all the more brightly, and with a strong will. While it is also true that some people put on make-up only around the eyes, they strive to express their feelings just with their eyes. As the saying "the apple of one's eyes" implies, such eyes are captivating. There are people who feel more comfortable wearing masks as well. Among them, many ones want to wear masks even after the pandemic subsidies. In Western countries, a dominant opinion is that people want to take off masks as soon as possible because it is hard to read the feelings of others. This certainly makes sense because quite a few people in Japan, too, worry about the relationship between young children and their carers screened by masks. Nevertheless, a face mask is an important item to save human beings from the Covid disaster.
While many photographs included in this book were taken in Tokyo, there are some photographed in other places such as Fukuoka and Fukushima, and so I should have titled the book "Japanese Eyes." However, I dared to title it Tokyo Eyes. Apples of eyes, love, and cues from Japan to the world. What do we have to learn from now on and what will save human beings?
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Until a few years ago, before the Covid-19 pandemic, I would have instantly distanced myself from people walking towards me wearing black masks because I thought they looked suspicious. Since wearing masks has become a regular routine, those wearing black masks appear to me as stylish people who fashionably coordinate their masks with their clothes. It is amazing how much our habit of wearing masks has changed perceptions. To me now, people wearing masks are more beautiful than ever because their eyes seem to shine all the brighter and with a strong will. While it is also true that some people only wear makeup around their eyes, they strive to express their feelings only with their eyes. As the saying goes "the apple of one's eye", such eyes are captivating. There are also people who feel more comfortable wearing masks. Among them, many want to wear masks even after the pandemic is over. In Western countries, a prevailing opinion is that people want to take off masks as soon as possible because it is difficult to read other people's feelings. This certainly makes sense because many people in Japan are also worried about the relationship between young children and their caregivers screened by masks. Nevertheless, a face mask is an important element in saving human beings from the Covid disaster.
While many of the photographs included in this book were taken in Tokyo, some were photographed in other places such as Fukuoka and Fukushima, and so I should have titled the book "Japanese Eyes." However, I dared to title it Tokyo Eyes. Apples of eyes, love, and clues from Japan to the world. What should we learn from now on, and what will save human beings?