“Sentimental Journey, Spring Journey”
2010 gelatin silver print
Paper size 31×42cm

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“Sentimental Journey, Spring Journey”
2010 gelatin silver print
Paper size 31×42cm

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“Sentimental Journey, Spring Journey”
2010 gelatin silver print
Paper size 31×42cm

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“Sentimental Journey, Spring Journey”
2010 gelatin silver print
Paper size 31×42cm

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“Pecchancola” 2010
gelatin silver print mounted on alpolic
Paper size 66×83cm

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This series by Japanese photographer NOBUYOSHI ARAKI, exhibited earlier this year at Rat Hole Gallery ( Tokyo), narrates the last few months of ARAKI‘s cat.

“My wife Yoko first brought Chiro home from Kasukabe when she was just a four month old kitten.” Almost 20 years later, these images documents the special time that he spent with Chiro leading up to her death. The series holds a special meaning for ARAKI, as it depicts the end of CHIRO’s journey as well as its beginning. It is beyond doubt that Chiro, who continued to model in front of the camera up until her very last breath, was a muse for ARAKI like no other, “No woman has showed as much love for me as Chiro did,” says ARAKI of his cat, who was the apple of his eye.

Images of the sky, flowers and other scenes taken after Chiro’s death reverberate a sentimental melody that is touching to the heart.

Known best for his intimate, snapshot-style images of women often tied up with ropes (kinbaku, Japanese rope-tying art) and of colorful, sensual flowers, NOBUYOSHI ARAKI is an artist who reacts strongly to his emotions and uses photography to experience them more fully. His work is at once provoking and mysteriously tender; a deeply personal artist who is not afraid of his emotions nor of showing them to the world.