shashasha

Throughout her career, Japanese photographer Hideka Tonomura has explored themes of identity, love, beauty and femininity in unflinchingly raw yet poetic work. In her latest book, "Soul Trip," she explores the impact of nationality and borders on love. Tracing the journey of her grandparents - who were born in Japan and South Korea - Tonomura has captured an emotional journey of separation and unity.

“My grandparents were Korean and Japanese.
They loved each other unto death.
My grandmother took responsibility for her decision to marry a Korean - she died wearing a Korean bridal gown, a symbol of her love to my grandfather.
I promised my grandmother that I would photograph her in that dress.
The wars of nations end and begin again.
As long as there are conflicts in the world, they will leave people with hatred and create further conflict.
Today there are still chains of conflicts happening somewhere in the world.
Love, not conflict, is the source of life.
We don't need any more chains of conflict.
Perhaps it's only an ideal for the world to be filled with peace.
But I believe that it is the artist's job to pursue the ideal.”
― from Hideka Tonomura’s foreword