Series | The Lineage of "JAPANESE DANDY" (Part 1)

Special Series | Portraits of Japanese Men Who Transcend Time

The Genealogy of "JAPANESE DANDY"

Part 1: "Portraits of Japanese Men Through the Lens of Style"

Featuring 130 Japanese men, from their teens to their nineties, captured under the theme of "dandyism" and compiled into a single volume. "JAPANESE DANDY" will be published by Bankisha in mid-January 2015. Masato Kawai, who produced and directed the project, shares the behind-the-scenes story over three installments.

Text by KAWAI Masato

Men Who Possess Style, Reflecting Their Own Way of Life

In recent times, fashion has become excessively casual and deconstructed. Particularly for men, the fundamental principles of traditional suiting are often neglected, with a loosely worn style becoming the prevailing trend.

Toshio Shirai, Advisor, Shinanoya

While this may be a demand of the times, tailoring is a style cultivated over many years. It is regrettable if the disregard for this tradition becomes the sole approach to dressing.

However, even amidst this trend, there are men who possess a style that transcends time, reflecting their own way of life. This photo collection was conceived as a record of such men existing in this era.

The content consists of portraits of these "men," artful photographs in their own right. All subjects are "men of style," ranging in age from their teens to their nineties, but all are "adults" regardless of their age.

A total of 130 men cooperated for this project. They are "amateurs" (in the sense that they are not professional models) active in various fields, men who have shaped or are shaping the times.

I have also collaborated with photographer Naoto Okawa on the photobook "FLOWERS". At that time, the subjects were still lifes of "flowers," but his true strength lies in portraiture, which is why he became a partner for this project.

I handle the direction on set, and Mr. Okawa also approached this project with great enthusiasm as a collection of his work. While he has previously photographed "professional subjects" like famous musicians, for this project, everyone was an amateur in terms of being photographed.

Yet, the photographs were taken surprisingly smoothly. When I pondered why, I concluded it might be due to a shared characteristic: a "love for clothing." In other words, possessing style might imply a certain desire to present oneself.

While it is valuable for these photographs to remain as a record 30 or 50 years from now, I also want today's younger generation to know about and be interested in the existence of such adults with impeccable style. I hope this photo collection inspires them to aspire to become like these men who wear suits.

In this series, I intend to write about what I wish to convey through this photo collection. I appreciate your readership during this short period leading up to the publication.

Cover Photo | Illustrator Kazuo Hozumi

"JAPANESE DANDY"

Masato Kawai | KAWAI Masato

Flower coordinator and fashion producer. Born in Kyoto in 1958. Established Masato Kawai Flower Office in 1986. Active primarily in production for advertisements, magazines, and events. Received the Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Award for flower coordination, among numerous other accolades. Published the photobook "FLOWERS" (Bankisha) in 1994. Published his second book, "FLOWERS", in 2012.

Naoto Okawa | OHKAWA Naoto

Photographer. Born in Tokyo in 1957. Became a freelance photographer in 1982. Established Naoto Okawa Photography Office Inc. in 1988. Opened a private studio in Daikanyama in 1997. Active primarily in advertisements, fashion, CD jackets, and music videos. Published "FLOWERS" in 2012. Held solo exhibitions "WONDER WHEEL" in 1984 and "AFTER HOURS" in 1986.