The first issue features Kazuhiro Kiyohara, who, despite his enduring popularity, retired from his 23-year professional baseball career in the autumn of 2008 amidst regret, known as the "uncrowned king" and a man of great character who overcame injuries and misfortune.

—So declares the press release. This is followed by the passionate words of Kazumi Kurigami below.

On October 1, 2008, Kiyohara's retirement game was held at Kyocera Dome. It was Orix vs. SoftBank. Even though I am not a particularly avid baseball fan, I turned on the TV, possessed by the desire to see the last uniform of that rare slugger, Kazuhiro Kiyohara.

Before the game started, amidst the fervent cheers of a full stadium and a moment of silence, Manager Oh presented him with a bouquet of flowers, and whispered something in Kiyohara's ear, who had returned after a major knee surgery and a long rehabilitation.

That day, the spectators did not witness the powerful home run they had hoped for, but the man who had staked his life on hitting beautiful, arcing home runs swung with all his might, his bat cutting through the air in a powerful strikeout. Amidst the passionate applause and cheers of the fans, Kiyohara's 23-year professional baseball career came to an end.

It moved me deeply! I found myself pressing the shutter button towards the television screen, capturing the loneliness and sorrow of a fighting man, his soul's cry.

A body filled with speed, a roaring physique
A breathing body, what resides within the body
The light and shadow of a body burdened by tragedy.

I later learned that Manager Oh had whispered to Kiyohara at that moment, "If we are reborn, let's compete in a home run contest on the same team." (From "Otoko Michi: Kazuhiro Kiyohara")

—Kazumi Kurigami. A man who has been at the forefront of advertising photography since the 1960s.
I, the reporter, do not know much about this person. Yet, with every turn of the page, I felt as if I caught a glimpse of his way of life, the path he had walked.

I cannot speak deeply about photography. However, can something move people's hearts so profoundly? I was thrilled by the power of Mr. Kurigami's photographs. That was my genuine feeling.