南條敏之

Toshiyuki NANJO

shelerbelt This is a series of photographs capturing shelterbelts, or sand-fencing forests. Often referred to as "Hakusha-seisho," or "white sand and green pines," this type of forest symbolizes the notion of the traditional Japanese culture that is said to have harmonized with nature." In most areas people started planting the shelterbelts around the 17th century for the purpose of replacing the lost natural forests, as well as protecting farmlands that had been expanding. Occasionally interrupted by historical events such as Meiji Reformation, the Great Depression, and World War II, these forests have seen repeated cycle of desolation and rebuilding. Post-war dense planting has resulted in the blocking of the scenery. In the affected areas by the Great East Japan Earthquake, where a large portion of the seaside forests have been washed away by the tsunami, pine forests have been restored and rebuilt as artificial structures. Bent and curved branches of the pine trees look as if they reflect the shapes of the wind. Those curves allude to the notion of "harmony with nature." Thus, through this series I attempt to re-examine the relationship between Japanese people and nature. In Search of Hedorah This series examines monsterization and externalization of environmental issues. It is also a personal tribute to the late photographer Jun Morinaga who passed away in 2018.