🚀 When the Canary Dies: The Responsibility of an Artist

One of my life goals is to become a true artist. 
But what exactly is an artist? What do you think?

Some say an artist is someone who creates beautiful works. Others define an artist as someone who sells their art for a living. The definition of an artist may vary from person to person.

But to me, those are creators—not necessarily artists. The way I see it, a true artist is like a canary in a coal mine.

So let’s take a moment to explore what it really means to be an artist.
(I've got a print drop at the end of this email)

Table of Contents

• 🍿 New YouTube Video Is Up

• 🎙️ A Lion Doesn’t Call Itself a Lion

• 🐦 Why Did Miners Bring Canaries into the Coal Min …

• ⏰ Darkroom Prints Are Back – Limited Edition Drop

  • Print Details

🍿 New YouTube Video Is Up

I finally released a new YouTube video. This time, I’m sharing portraits of 20-year-olds in extravagant outfits at the Seijin-shiki (Coming of Age Ceremony) I attended last month in Kitakyushu, Fukuoka.

Shot with a Nikon FM2 and a 20mm wide-angle lens, this video gives you a look at how these street portraits turned out, how I approached and photographed them, and the unique vibe of Seijin-shiki, especially in Japan’s regional areas.

Watch it now—seriously!

🎙️ A Lion Doesn’t Call Itself a Lion

Now, let’s talk about what it means to be an artist.

The reason I wanted to discuss this today is because I was recently featured in the latest issue of 20er, a street newspaper from Tyrol, Austria. Every issue highlights an artist, and this time, they chose me.

First of all, I believe “artist” isn’t something you call yourself—it’s something others recognize you as. If no one sees you as an artist, calling yourself one feels a little embarrassing to me.

There’s a famous line in Romeo and Juliet:
"What’s in a name? That which we call a rose by any other name would smell as sweet."

And in the Japanese film GO, which explores discrimination against Korean-Japanese people, there’s a quote that says:
"A lion doesn’t think of itself as a lion."

In the same way, an artist doesn’t need to label themselves as one. If you live as an artist, then you are an artist—whether or not the name is attached to you. At least, that’s how I see it.

So, what does it really mean to live as an artist? When I think about what it means to be an artist, the idea that always comes to mind is the canary in the coal mine.

🐦 Why Did Miners Bring Canaries into the Coal Mines?

In my 20er interview, I talked about my thoughts on runaway kids—a subject I’ve been photographing for a while—as well as my perspective on being an artist.

Take this photo, for example. It was taken around 1 AM in front of Shibuya Station, long after the last trains had left. She was sitting alone in the rain, without an umbrella.

I walked up to her and asked, "Are you okay?" Then, after taking a photo, I handed her my umbrella. When I later developed the film, I noticed how soaked her feet were.

I never asked her directly, but I could tell—she had run away from home.

Spending so much time photographing the streets at night, I’ve met many kids like her. They look well-dressed, holding iPhones, so no one would ever assume they’re homeless.

But many have escaped abusive homes with nowhere to go. They rely on social media to connect with others in similar situations, trying to find a place where they belong.

My interview was previously published in Yokogao Magazine, and in the comments on their Instagram, I saw things like, “They’re homeless? I saw them in Kabukicho now, and they have iPhones,” or “Overdose? They’re just drunk.”

But the fact is, some homeless kids have iPhones, and overdoses are a real issue. It’s not just illegal drugs—there’s a trend among them of abusing over-the-counter medication in excess.

I have observed the streets, witnessed these scenes with my own eyes, and felt the shifts happening in the city. As a street photographer, I’ve always kept my senses sharp, constantly attuned to the changes unfolding around me.

In the past, coal miners would carry canaries into the mines as an early warning system for dangerous gases. Canaries are far more sensitive to toxic gases than humans, so if a canary died, it was a clear alarm—the miners knew they had to evacuate immediately.

The miners never said, “The canary is dead, but I’m not a bird, so I’ll be fine.”

Modern society faces various issues, yet in a world of convenience, most people go about their daily lives without ever confronting them. No one even notices when the canary has died.

We don’t realize the severity of these issues until countless children have already become victims. But should we allow children to suffer the same fate as the canary in the coal mine?

Before that happens, we must be the ones who observe the world, detect shifts in society, and sound the alarm. That, to me, is the role of an artist—their responsibility in society.

To me, someone who notices these issues but chooses not to express them is not an artist. In fact, before even considering their status as an artist, I see it as a moral failing as a human being.

What do you think? There’s a comment section in this newsletter, so I’d love to hear everyone’s thoughts. You can leave a comment directly on the web page for this newsletter.

⏰ Darkroom Prints Are Back – Limited Edition Drop

After a temporary pause, I’m reopening darkroom print sales—starting with a special release.

This time, I’m dropping an exclusive prints from my Coming of Age Ceremony series, capturing the bold spirit of Japan’s young adults as they step into a new chapter of their lives. Each print is meticulously hand-printed in the darkroom, making it a one-of-a-kind collector’s piece.

Print Details

• Image Options: Two Variants

• Medium: Silver Gelatin Print

• Paper: ILFORD MULTIGRADE FB CLASSIC

• Size: 8x10" / 11x14"

• Edition: 10 each

🎁 Exclusive Bonus: Every print purchase includes a zine that will never be sold online—featuring a full collection of my Coming of Age Ceremony photos. This is your only chance to own it.

Limited supply—don’t miss out. Grab yours now.