TOKUKO USHIODA
MY HUSBAND (2 volumes)
Published by Torch Press in 2022
Book size 24x19cm
Book 1: 122 pages, Hardcover
Book 2: 76 pages, Softcover
Language Japanese, English
The joyful days with her husband, Shinzo Shimao, and daughter, Maho in a one-room unit of a Western-style house and her solitude she faced alone in the quiet night; Dormant for 40 years, the story of these photographs is finally uncovered. A set of two books with Book 1 and Book 2 each showingcasing the 6×6 and 35mm photographs respectively.
In early 1979, soon after their child Maho was born, the three moved into a historic Western-style house where Yukio Ozaki, known as the “God of constitutional politics”, had relocated his former house. It was a simple box-like room on the second floor with a shared toilet and no bathroom; not even a fridge at first. As soon as she became a newlywed and a mother of a child, Ushioda's busy yet fulfilling days started. Her husband, Shimao, was quite singular both as an artist and as a family member and had continued photography within the limited living space he shared with Ushioda. Perhaps because it was a record of life with such a partner, she was able to maintain a meticulous balance, neither nostalgic nor cynical, depicting the human drama hidden behind objects.
This book includes the photographs taken within 5 years from 1978, the year Maho was born. Book 1 includes the 6×6 square format, synonymous with Ushioda, and is a set with Book 2 with the 35mm snapshots, establishing a precious photobook that will be remembered as the starting point to her photography.
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The happy days spent with her husband, Shinzo Shimao, and her daughter, Maho, in a single room of a Western-style house, and the loneliness she faced in the quiet night. Sleeping for 40 years, The story of these photographs is finally revealed. A set of two books, Book 1 and Book 2 featuring the 6×6 and 35mm photographs respectively.
In early 1979, shortly after the birth of their child Maho, the three of them moved into a historic Western-style house where Yukio Ozaki, known as the “God of Constitutional Politics,” had transferred his old home. It was a simple box-shaped room on the second floor, with a shared toilet and no bathroom; at first, there was not even a refrigerator. As soon as she became a young bride and mother of a child, Ushioda’s days began to fill up. Her husband, Shimao, is a very unique artist and family member, and he continued to take photographs in the limited space he shared with Ushioda. Perhaps because it was a record of life with such a partner, she was able to maintain a meticulous balance, neither nostalgic nor cynical, depicting the human drama hidden behind the objects.
This book includes photographs taken in the five years following 1978, the year Maho was born. Book 1 features the 6×6 square format, synonymous with Ushioda, and is paired with Book 2 with the 35mm snapshots, creating a treasured photo book that will be remembered as the starting point of his photography.