Reconnecting at the Festival | Photographer Takuma Misumi | ISSUE #34

We first met Mr. Misumi at the art book exhibition '#Images Osaka 2024' hosted by PiX Cypher. On the day, the photo book 'Festival Bonds' was on display. In March, a photo exhibition was also held, showcasing his journey across Japan's festivals.

Mr. Misumi, who radiates a calm aura and is committed to expression, has a background of transitioning from a securities company to becoming a freelance engineer before pursuing photography. Currently, he travels across Japan with the theme of 'festivals', interacting with locals and creating works. This time, we delve into the story of how Mr. Misumi began photographing festivals.

"One day while working as an engineer, I picked up a camera to create photo materials needed for web production. That was the beginning of everything."

Initially, he started photography out of necessity for work, but gradually, the world seen through the camera expanded, giving him a sense of new expressive freedom.

Another catalyst for Mr. Misumi's deep dive into photography was old lenses. "Being introduced to old lenses by a friend brought a significant change to my photography style," says Mr. Misumi. The unique depiction and flavor of old lenses stimulated his creative drive. He became fascinated by the artistic quality born from the slight inadequacy of old lenses compared to the latest ones.

"Since I started using old lenses, my perspective on photography has changed. The ability to express differently with each lens intrigued me. The excitement from that time is linked to the emotions I value in my current work."

In the first five years of starting photography, Mr. Misumi shot across a wide range of genres. "For street snaps, capturing the decisive moment was enough, and for portraits, capturing the subject attractively was key," he recalls, focusing on visuals during that period.

However, he gradually shifted his interest towards photography focused on specific themes. "To continue enjoying photography, I realized the importance of setting a clear theme instead of shooting aimlessly," Mr. Misumi reflects.

Mr. Misumi turned his attention to festival photography after the pandemic. A photo taken at a local festival he happened upon was the trigger. "At the festival, I felt the smiles and unity of people as a community for the first time in a while. That led me to photograph festivals across Japan. I felt that festivals encapsulate people's ways of life and local history."

For Mr. Misumi, who was conscious of the distance from subjects in his usual portrait and snap photography, 'festivals' became a theme worth capturing.

"In photographing festivals, I learned about the concept of distance. Not just physical distance, but also psychological distance and relationships," Mr. Misumi shares. During shoots, he emphasizes communication with subjects, realizing its importance.

"A simple greeting to obtain permission to photograph led to being accepted as part of the festival, sometimes even getting muddy together." He reflects on the joy of building relationships from a single greeting.

Festival photos often evoke bonds and joy that transcend generations. They seem to have a mysterious power to bring people closer. Mr. Misumi's photos, taken with a comfortable sense of distance, capture the essence of festivals and leave a lasting impression on many.

Despite the bright scenes of bustling festivals, many festivals across Japan face the threat of extinction. "Many festivals struggle with a lack of manpower and successors. This is a serious issue that cannot be ignored. Through photography, I hope to shed light on these problems and garner more interest from people."

Mr. Misumi strongly feels the importance of experiencing the joy of festivals and the cooperation they foster within communities. He expresses his desire to continue creating works themed around 'festivals' to capture these precious moments of connection. "I hope to inspire social discussions through photography. By experiencing the special atmosphere and heartfelt exchanges at festivals, I want people to appreciate the value of regional events," he says.

Mr. Misumi's photos remind us of the bonds and traditions we should cherish. We hope his world through the lens touches the hearts of many more people.