I was actually captivated by the afterword in 'Dog's Memory: Final Chapter' (paperback edition).

AnrakujiFirst, President Nobu (Kitamura-san), there's something I want to tell you, may I?

KitamuraYes, what is it?

AnrakujiWhen I read books, I place great importance on the 'afterword.' And I'm also interested in who the author asks to write the afterword. So, when I read President Nobu's afterword in Daido Moriyama's 'Dog's Memory: Final Chapter' (paperback edition), I was deeply moved. I thought, 'There's no afterword as wonderful as this.'

KitamuraReally?

AnrakujiNo, I'm not lying, I was truly captivated by that afterword. From that moment on, even though I had never met you and you seemed like someone on a pedestal, I called you my 'President of the Heart.' Mr. Osamu Wataya, who first approached me, told me, 'It's probably better not to call him President,' but I really wanted to call you 'President.' Because you are the President of my heart.

KitamuraThat's fine (laughs).

AnrakujiThat book was published nearly 10 years ago, wasn't it?

KitamuraIt was quite a while ago. I remember being inwardly troubled when Mr. Moriyama asked me to write the manuscript over the phone, but I couldn't refuse. Moreover, the afterword for the previous paperback edition, 'Dog's Memory,' was written by Tadanori Yokoo, so I felt a great sense of responsibility. After accepting, I agonized over what to write, and in the end, I wrote it in Hong Kong during a business trip.

AnrakujiThat feeling came through in your writing. Along with your personality, President Nobu, even your inner turmoil was skillfully expressed, and it felt like reading a love letter. I had wanted to convey this feeling since we met, but it's embarrassing, and I couldn't quite say it. So, when I heard about this dialogue today, I decided to take the plunge and confess.

KitamuraThis is the first time I've heard this (embarrassed laugh). I never expected to hear such a surprising story today.

AnrakujiI'm satisfied just being able to say that today.

I wanted to release items simultaneously from the beginning.

KitamuraBut thinking about it, this exhibition also started with a surprising turn of events. When we first met, I expected to talk about photography, but you immediately said, 'I want to create items.' You said it with a straight face.

AnrakujiThat's right. From the moment I received the offer, I wanted to create items. And I wanted them to be as far removed from fashion as possible. In fact, all the objects, fabrics, and sticks that appear in my photographs are handmade by me. So, I've always had a desire to create physical objects.

KitamuraRegarding the items for this exhibition, your ideas were concrete from the start, which I found interesting. But truly, at first, there was no talk of the photographs themselves, only about the items. In that sense, it's different from any other photographer we've had here before. Although photographs are displayed on the walls, I felt that the process leading up to them ultimately became the final photograph.






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Hysteric Glamour's 'Emi Anrakuji Design Original Goods' are currently available in limited quantities at Hysteric stores.

Belt ¥36,750 (tax included)
Choker ¥13,440 (tax included)
Gloves (Ladies') ¥23,100 (tax included)
Stockings ¥8,190 (tax included)