Shigeru Yoshida ⁄ 吉田繁
Profile
For nearly two decades, he worked in Japan as a commercial and magazine photographer.
Following the Great East Japan Earthquake in 2011, he visited the disaster-stricken regions and was deeply moved by the sight of people praying amid devastation and loss. This experience led him to shift his focus toward long-term photographic projects exploring themes of prayer, hope, resilience, and human connection.
Since then, he has continued documenting the lives and quiet strength of people in Fukushima and other affected areas, seeking traces of light and humanity that remain even in difficult circumstances. His work approaches prayer not as a religious act alone, but as a universal human gesture of remembrance, compassion, healing, and hope.
In a world increasingly divided by conflict and uncertainty, he aims to use photography as a bridge between cultures and nations, emphasizing the values that connect people beyond borders.
In 2013, he was featured as a fine art photographer at Lumiere Brothers Gallery in Moscow, Russia. Since then, his work has been exhibited internationally in Russia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, Italy, and the United States.
Exhibitions / Timeline
・Aug. 2013, solo exhibition at Lumiere Brothers Gallery in Moscow, Russia.
・Oct. 2014, invited "International Photo Festival'PHOTOVISA'in Krasnodar, Russia.
・Jul. 2017, invited "International Photo Festival'PHOTO FEST'in Astana, Kazakhstan".
・Apr. 2019, group exhibition at the BID Art Space/ Pesaro, Italy.
・Apr. 2019, group exhibition at NOVOSIBIRSK INTERNATIONAL FESTIVAL OF CONTEMPORARY PHOTOGRAPHY in Russia
・Jun. 2019, solo exhibition at State Museum of Southern Ural in Chelyabinsk, Russia.
・Oct. 2019, group exhibition at SHATTO GALLERY in Los Angeles, U.S.A.
・Nov. 2019, solo exhibition at Timiryazev State Museum in Moscow, Russia.
・Jan. 2021, solo exhibition at The State of Darwin Museum in Moscow, Russia.
・Feb. 2022, solo exhibition at White Gallery in Novosibirsk, Russia.
・Nov. 2022, solo exhibition at National Historical Museum in Bishkek Kyrgyz Republic.
・Nov. 2022, solo exhibition at The Almaty Gallery in Almaty Kazakhstan.
・Nov. 2022, solo exhibition at The National Art Museum of Uzbekistan in Tashkent, Republic of Uzbekistan.
・Aug. 2023, solo exhibition at The Museum OF Nature And Man, in Khanty - Mansiysk, Russia.
・Aug. 2024, A.S. Pushkin State Kaliningrad Art Museum
Collection
・Museuma of Photographic Arts, in San Diego USA
・Ploshchad Mira museum, in Siberia, Russia
・The Pushkin Museum of Fine Arts, in Moscow, Russia
・State Russian Museum and Exhibition Center, in Sait Petersburg, Russia
約20年にわたり、日本でコマーシャルおよび雑誌写真のフォトグラファーとして活動。
2011年の東日本大震災をきっかけに、被災地を訪れ、多くの人々が祈りを捧げる姿に深く心を動かされる。その経験を通して、単なる災害の記録ではなく、「祈り」「希望」「再生」「人のつながり」をテーマとした写真作品の制作を開始した。
以来、福島をはじめとする被災地に通い続け、人々の暮らしや静かな強さ、困難の中に残る小さな希望の光を撮り続けている。作品では、宗教を超えた普遍的な人間の行為としての「祈り」を通して、人が他者を想い、未来へ向かおうとする姿を描いている。
戦争や分断、不安定な時代が続く現代において、写真を通して異なる文化や国々をつなぐ架け橋となることを目指し、国内外で活動を展開している。
2013年、ロシア・モスクワのリュミエール・ブラザーズ・ギャラリーにて注目のファインアートフォトグラファーとして紹介。以降、ロシア、カザフスタン、キルギス、ウズベキスタン、イタリア、アメリカなど各国で展覧会を開催している。
Projects
The Shape of Hope
My work explores hope, healing, and human resilience in the aftermath of disaster and loss.
Since the Great East Japan Earthquake of 2011, I have continued visiting Fukushima and other affected regions, focusing not only on destruction, but on the quiet strength that remains within everyday life.
Through themes of prayer, memory, and human connection, I seek to reveal small lights of hope that persist even in difficult times. For me, prayer is not necessarily religious, but a universal human gesture of remembrance, compassion, and healing.
Rather than documenting tragedy alone, my photographs reflect the enduring human desire to care for others, rebuild, and move forward. I hope these images offer viewers a sense of reflection, comfort, and hope for tomorrow.
「希望のかたち」
私の作品は、災害や喪失のあとに残る希望、人のつながり、そして再生への力をテーマとしている。
2011年の東日本大震災以降、私は福島をはじめとする被災地に通い続け、破壊の記録だけではなく、その中に残る人々の静かな強さを見つめてきた。
作品に繰り返し現れる「祈り」は、宗教ではなく、記憶し、他者を想い、癒しを願う人間の普遍的な行為として捉えている。
私の写真は、悲劇そのものではなく、人がなお希望を持ち、支え合いながら前へ進もうとする姿を描いている。
この作品が、見る人にとって小さな希望や安らぎとなることを願っている。
A Prayer in the Wind (2024 - )
Subtitle - A visual meditation on prayer, memory, and rebirth"
風の中の祈り
-祈りと記憶、再生へのまなざし-
In the aftermath of the Fukushima earthquake and tsunami, I was drawn again and again to the affected landscapes. Amid the silence and devastation, I encountered countless quiet prayers—small lights kindled in the heart. These prayers were not limited to those nearby; they flowed in from across Japan, transcending distance and chaos.
Through my lens, I sought to capture these invisible traces of light—symbols of grief, resilience, and the will to begin again.
Prayer, I believe, is where light begins.
May these photographs offer a quiet path toward healing, and a shared hope for tomorrow.
福島の地震と津波の後、私は何度も被災地を訪れました。
静寂と荒廃の中で出会ったのは、無数の「祈りの光」——心に灯る小さな光でした。
それは被災地だけでなく、日本中から静かに届けられた祈りでもありました。
私は、その見えない光の痕跡を、レンズを通して丁寧に写し取ってきました。
祈りは、光が始まる場所。
この作品が、癒しへの静かな道となり、明日への希望となりますように。
・Media Size: 594x420mm(23.4x16.5 inch), Image Size: 390x390mm(15.3x15.3 inch)/ Edition:10
・Media: Photo rag paper
・Project progressː Ongoing
A Prayer in the Wind_01
A Prayer in the wind_02
A Prayer in the wind_03
A Prayer in the wind_04
A Prayer in the wind_05
A Prayer in the wind_06
A Prayer in the wind__07
A Prayer in the wind_08
A Prayer in the wind_09
A Prayer in the wind__10
A Prayer in the wind_11
A Prayer in the wind_12
Message from Fukushima(2021 - )
"Embracing Despair, Discovering Peace"
福島からの伝言
-それでも私たちは前向きに生きる-
It has been 10 years since the Great East Japan Earthquake, which caused damage from the massive tsunami and evacuation from the nuclear power plant accident at the same time.
Some of the victims are trying to move forward with their lives in a positive manner despite the many difficulties and suffering they are facing. I felt that their stories of hope for tomorrow, and the way they talked about it, could give courage and hope to a large number of people.
巨大な津波の被害と同時に原発事故からの避難という大震災から10年が経過しました。
被災者の方々は、多くの困難や苦しみを抱えながら前向きに人生を前進させようとしている方がいます。彼らが語る明日への希望、そしてその姿には、大くの人々に勇気や希望を与えることができると感じました。
・Media Size: 594x420mm(23.4x16.5 inch), Image Size: 390x390mm(15.3x15.3 inch)/ Edition:10
・Media: Photo rag paper
・Number of worksː 30
・Project progressː Ongoing
プロジェクト"Message from FUKUSHIMA"
Message from FUKUSHIMA ーA decade has passed, and we are living in hopeー
Russia Ver.
夫婦の願いが込められた[飯舘復興三千本桜] / 3000 cherry trees in Fukushima
Sea Wall - hope and despair - (2019- )
In 2011 Japan was devastated by a massive tsunami disaster, killing about 20,000 people and displacing hundreds of thousands more.
After that, the Japanese Government has been building a very high and extremely long sea wall to prevent future tsunami disasters.
Average height is about 15m and the wall will be 400 km long when finished. Local people can no longer see the beautiful ocean scenery.
Government has chosen to combat nature with human-made barriers.
But the local people want to live with nature.Grief changes shape, but it never ends.
But every day we strive to embrace a hopeful, peaceful life.
This sea wall might be the symbol of hope or despair – depending on your point of view.
2011年の東日本大震災の後、国と地方自治体は最大で、高さ約15m、長さ400kmの防潮堤を造った。海に生きる漁民が「美しい海が見えない」「観光客が来なくなる」と嘆く一方で、「安心して暮らせる」という人もいる。政府は自然と戦うことを決めたが、現地の人々は自然とともに生きている。悲しみは形を変えて終わることがない。防潮堤は希望のシンボルなのか絶望のシンボルなのか、それは見方によるのだ。
・Media Size: 420x594mm(16.5x23.4inch),image size:337x500mm(13.2x19.6inch),Edition:10
・Media Size: 329x483mm(13x19inch),image size:276.4x410mm(10.9x16.1inch),Edition:15
・Media: Hand made coated paper
・Number of worksː 39
・Project progressː Ongoing
Sea Wall(2019-01)
Sea Wall(2019-03)
Sea Wall(2019-09)
Sea Wall(2019-11)
Sea Wall(2020-08)
Sea Wall(2019-09)
Sea Wall(2020-11)
Sea Wall(2019-14)
Sea Wall(2020-15)
Sea Wall(2020-16)
Sea Wall(2020-19)
Sea Wall(2020-21)
Ten yeara since Fukushima Vol.1
Ten yeara since Fukushima Vol.2
The Sea Wall - Hope and despair -
One Minute
- Border for a Prayer (2012-2022)
In March 2011, Japan experienced a big disaster, the Great East Japan Earthquake. Through my visits to the disaster-stricken areas, I witnessed many people praying towards the sea. And that inspired me to start this project devoted to prayer.
2011年、日本は東日本大震災に見舞われた。被災地をたずねると、多くの人々が海に向かって祈っていた。このことに、触発され、祈りに注目したプロジェクトを始めた。
・Media Size: 420x594mm(16.5x23.4inch),image size:520 x347mm(20.47 x 13.66inch),Edition:10
・Media Size: 329x483mm(13x19inch),image size:267x400mm(10.51x15.74inch),Edition:15
・Media: Fresco Type Print
・Number of worksː 80
・Project progressː Ongoing
Border for a Prayer (2015-01)
Border for a Prayer (2015-03)
Border for a Prayer (2015-05)
Border for a Prayer (2014-02)
Border for a Prayer (2014-06)
Border for a Prayer (2014-22)
Border for a Prayer (2013-01)
Border for a Prayer (2013-06)
Border for a Prayer (2013-15)
Border for a Prayer (2013-19)
Border for a Prayer (2012-02)
Border for a Prayer (2012-10)
Border for a prayer
The Sacred Trees
When I first encountered a large tree, I was overwhelmed by its size. However, I was simply astonished by its size and shape. But after a while, when I began to feel that it was not a "tree" but "life," my heart was transformed into a feeling of gratitude toward nature. It was a very happy feeling. At that moment, I decided to continue photographing these sacred big trees.
大きな木に初めて出会ったときは、その大きさに圧倒されていました。しかし、それは単純にその大きさや形に驚愕していただけでした。しかし、しばらくすると、それは「木」ではなく「命」だということを感じるようになったとき、私の心は自然に対して感謝する気持ちに変わりました。それはとても幸福感のある気持ちでした。そのとき、この撮影を続けようと決心しました
・Media Size: 420x594mm(16.5x23.4inch),image size:344x430mm(13.5x16.9inch),Edition:10
・Media Size: 329x483mm(13x19inch),image size:256x320mm(10x12.6inch),Edition:10
・Media: Hand made coated paper
・Number of worksː 300
・Project progressː Ongoing
Baobabu in Madagasucar
Yew tree in UK
Bristlecone pine in CA
Beech tree in Germany
Cedar called Jomon cedar in Japan
Castanopsis in Shoumyouji
Youkai No Kuni (2017 - )
Since ancient times, “Yōkai”, a class of supernatural beings in Japanese folklore, have been used in Japanese festivals to display the manifestation of deities on earth. They symbolize the good and evil within our hearts.”
妖怪は、古代以来、日本の民間伝承に存在する。主に祭りに利用され、この世に現れたもののけとして存在する。彼らは、我々の心の中に悪魔と天使が住んでいることを象徴化している。
・Media Size: 420x594mm(16.5x23.4inch),image size:344x430mm(13.5x16.9inch),Edition:10
・Media Size: 329x483mm(13x19inch),image size:256x320mm(10x12.6inch),Edition:10
・Media: Hand made coated paper
・Number of worksː 38
・Project progressː Ongoing
Youkai no kuni (2017-01)
Youkai no kuni (2017-02)
Youkai no kuni (2017-03)
Youkai no kuni (2017-12)
Youkai no kuni (2017-13)
Youkai no kuni (2017-16)
Youkai no kuni (2017-18)
Youkai no kuni (2017-19)
Youkai no kuni (2017-20)
Youkai no kuni (2018-04)
Youkai no kuni (2019-09)
Youkai no kuni (2018-07)
Valley of Memory (2015 - )
Fire prayers have been used in Japanese festivals since ancient times. The veneration of our ancestors puts our minds at ease with the knowledge that they are watching over us and guiding us. Fire is the beginning and the end of all natural scenery.
古代より、日本の祭事では火が祈りのために使われてきた。先祖への畏敬の念は、祈りの中で彼らが私たちを見守り、導いてくれるという気持ちを持つことにより、心に平安をもたらす。火は全ての自然界の始まりであり終わりなのである。
・Media Size: 420x594mm(16.5x23.4inch),image size:520x347 mm (20.47 x 13.66inch), Edition:15
・Media Size: 329x483mm(13x19inch),image size:267x400mm(10.5x15.7inch), Edition:15
・Media: Hand made washi paper
・Number of worksː 11
・Project progressː finished
Valley of Memory (2015-01)
Valley of Memory (2015-02)
Valley of Memory (2015-03)
Valley of Memory (2015-05)
Valley of Memory (2015-10)
Valley of Memory (2015-10)
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