It was natural for me to explore my Japanese heritage in my early works. I used old family photographs, as well as magazine photos. In addition, I took photographs of friends and used them as subjects.
I didn't try to duplicate the photographs. Instead, I tried to capture the intangible - a time and place that can't be revisited again, family members who have passed on, as well as a way of life that is being replaced by modern technology and progress.
In Yakuza Tattoos, if you look closely, you will see how realistic the Yakuza (gangster) tattoos are. Those who can read Japanese kanji (characters) can actually read the writing on the tattoo banners!
