shashasha

Known for photographing many subcultural groups within Japanese society, Masayuki Yoshinaga’s “Zoku” is a poetic and meaningful documentation of the Motorcycle gangs of Japan known as Bosozoku. Published in 2003 by Little More, “Zoku” is a photographic culmination of a seven year relationship with the individuals within the gangs. Zoku - meaning tribe in Sino-Japanese, is a suffix which has been used extensively within Japan to label the many youth subcultures which were born out of the country’s Post- War era. Presenting a selection of images from more than 300 photographs, Yoshinaga portrays a highly raw and honest representation of those within the groups. The images emphasize the very meaning and spirit which defines the members as well as the cultures and traditions which have influenced the makings of the Bosozoku aesthetic.

Included within is an afterward by Fumihiro Hayashi. Text available in both Japanese and English.