Released in February 1996

CD-ROM photo book AUSTRALIA Published by Symphora

The crowdfunding campaign has passed the halfway point. We are still a little far from our goal of 4 million yen, but I am still very happy. Because of the recent high prices, anxiety from the social situation, and the approaching end of the year, I, like myself, am spending more than usual, so I am very happy that so many people have supported me.

Photo exhibitions and photo books are always unknown. Whenever the first day of a photo exhibition approaches, I have a nightmare the night before, thinking, "What if no one comes to the exhibition?" I feel gloomy, thinking, "What if no one picks up my photo book?" No customers come to the photo exhibition, and the photo book doesn't sell at all. This is scary because it would be a complete denial of my identity.

When I released my first CD-ROM photo book in 1996, CD-ROM photo books were just starting to appear. I was full of anxiety. I was worried that no one would buy it, so on the first day of release, I went to the CD-ROM section of a major electronics store in Akihabara at the time. First thing in the morning, my CD-ROM photo book Australia was piled high. I pretended to look at other products and stared at my CD-ROM section. About 20 minutes after the store opened, a woman came to the sales floor and picked up my photo book. I thought she would buy it!! But she picked up about two other photo books and was looking at the monitor in the sales floor showing the sample video of my photos. My eyes were glued to her. I couldn't stop staring. Then she noticed my gaze and glared back at me (I must have looked very suspicious. Maybe she thought I was a stalker or something). I made up my mind and walked up to the woman and showed her my business card and photographer ID to show that I wasn't a suspicious person. "Actually, this is a collection of my work and I am the one who took the photos. Today was the first day of release and I was curious so I came to the sales floor, so I'm sorry for staring," I told her and her face lit up. "Really? If I buy it, can I get it autographed?" I said of course. Afterwards, when I was signing her name at the counter, the shop staff said, "Oh, you're the real person? If so, please sign the POP as well. The female customer who I signed was very happy and left. Two other customers who saw it said they would buy it if I could get her to sign it, and they bought it. Thanks to you, the CD-ROM photo book was an unprecedented hit and I think we sold about 20,000 copies.

Similarly, I can't forget the smiles of the customers who came to the photo exhibition first thing in the morning on the first day. All the works I take are my alter-ego and my child. So it's so much fun to see the faces of the people who come to see them and pick them up. It's no exaggeration to say that I create my works for that purpose.

Y-kun, my former photography assistant, and I-san, who is still helping me as an administrative assistant, are actually coming to help me because of our encounter at the photo exhibition and photo book. Photo exhibitions and photo books require a huge investment of your own money. High risk and low return. Lol. A while ago, when I was staying at a casino hotel in Australia for an interview, my manager said to me, "Filming is good, but why don't you try playing at a casino once in a while? Gambling is exciting." I replied, "I play gangbang every day, and filming is a big gamble, so it's like a casino every day, so I don't go to casinos," and he laughed.

This time is another big gamble. The breakdown of funds for this project is written on my crowdfunding website as follows:

How funds will be used in the project

1. Printing for the photo exhibition: Approximately 50 pieces \1,000,000-

2. Framing for the photo exhibition: Approximately 50 pieces \1,000,000-

3. Photo exhibition venue operation costs @100,000 x 5 \500,000-

4. Direct mail production and printing costs \150,000-

5. Direct mail postage ￥300,000-

6. Photo book production costs \3,000,000-

Total \5,950,000-

I intend to raise the difference between the project implementation costs and the crowdfunding costs myself.

Even if the crowdfunding is achieved, it will still cost more than 2 million yen. But the photo exhibition and photo book will create many new encounters and many memories. These are also big milestones in life, and may become major turning points for those who see the photos. The COVID-19 pandemic, an uncertain future, and extremely high prices. In times like these, I would like to cut through anxiety with these powerful photographs. I would appreciate your support.