Okame

Okame – The artist’s book “Okame” is the first book by Hideoki Hagiwara, a Japanese photographer with a very independent view on life and who has enjoyed success as a fashion photographer in the United States.

“Okame”, a traditional mask symbolizing a happy-go-lucky Japanese bride, inspired Hideoki to create a unique series when he visited Japan in 1973 with his American wife, Mary, and their child, Mitsu. The playful use of the mask gave rise to a series of photographs with Mary that subtly challenged the norms of Japanese society. This first part of the book can be viewed as a fanciful family photo album with a silent message.

The second part of the book shows Hideoki’s infinite appreciation for mother nature in a way that reflects Hideoki’s urge to go against the grain: his exquisite photographs of nature are cut in half and combined into new, surprising and beautiful collaged images.