Aya--- 好きな人・To my Love | Episode 3 by Lina Takeuchi

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Aya- 好きな人

あやちゃんとは、10年前から毎年一度は撮影をさせて頂いている。撮影するたびに素敵な女性になっていく姿を見させてもらえているのは貴重な経験で嬉しく思う

今回は特別に彼女との過去の写真たちを合間に入れ込んで読んで頂けるようにしました。

彼女はいつも気にかけ連絡をしてくれているし、今回のコロナの件でも連絡をくれた。こうして久々な人もそうでいない人も私を少しでも思っていてくれるという事に気づかされるこのステイホーム生活。

こんな状況だけれど、こもり生活1ヶ月半たった今、不思議とこの時間と気づきのギフトを頂いているような日々を過ごしている。そういった周りの人たちへの感謝の気持ちを再確認するチャンスをもらったようなそんな気がする。

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好きな人

その思いと感謝を胸に、今回もあやちゃんにこのレンズの向こうに今の自分を伝えたい・残したい人を聞いたところ”好きな人”と彼女らしい答えをもらい話を始めた。

彼女は常に恋をしている, それが素敵なところ

10年前からそれは変わっていない気がする、会うたびに恋はいつもしてます!と笑顔でいう彼女を見て来た。だから彼女はいつも輝いているのかもしれない

では自粛期間だからこそ変わった事も探ってみたいと思い、ステイホーム中はどう過ごしているのか尋ねると

東京で1ヶ月の自粛生活を独りで過ごしているが実質かなり充実していて、一つの事に没頭することが好きというあやちゃんは毎日が楽しいという。

むしろ新しい発見や目標が生まれたりして未来に向けて前向きな姿勢はもっとも彼女らしい。

お料理もかなり凝っていていつも写真が素敵なのでインスタチェックしてください〜

結婚

そんな中、意識が変わった事の一つが”結婚”というテーマ。それを現実的に考え始めたという。だから、今回のメッセージを送る相手を”好きな人”と決めたという。

そうはいえ、恋だけに固執せず自分磨きができるところもあやちゃんの素敵なところ

実際、私の周りの女性はみんなかなりポジティブで強い人たちが多い事に感心する。

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恋のスイッチ

今までの人生ではやはり仕事を優先してきた彼女、私も同じく〜〜〜と言う事に当然なるのだが... もちろん、仕事が好きで、没頭し続けての結果

”恋愛のスイッチを入れないと、恋愛には発展しない”と誰かに言われた

私もよく言われるが... どうやって入れればいいの〜?と聞くw

あやちゃんはこのステイホームでそのスイッチを入れると言う意味を知ったと言う。羨ましい限り....w 

今立ち止まってみて恋愛という事にフォーカスするという意識をし始めたという。

 そう、そのスイッチとは恋愛・好きな人を思うという時間とスペースを作るという単純な事なのかもしれないと思った(そのスイッチをどこかに置いて来てしまった気がする私であるが...w)

時間を作るとあえていう理由は仕事に生きて来た女性にとって生活の他の時間は大半他の何かで占め尽くされているからだ。と言うことは、今まで当たり前にして来た何かを犠牲にする覚悟ができた。と言うことなのかもしれない。

そう言うこと全てを含めて素直になって実践できる様になったという彼女はやはり柔らかさと、鋭さを両方兼ねそろえたお方

変わったこと

ふとした話の流れから、私と初めて会った10年前から変わった事は何かという話になると、強くなったと彼女は言う。少しの事ではへこたれないですよ〜!と笑顔で。。。

MISS UNIVERSE JAPAN 2012のファイナリストとしてご紹介頂いたあの頃も女子の中勝ち残った強さのようなモノを感じたが、私は柔らかいあやちゃんとしか面識が無い。彼女のコーチとして後輩へ教える姿を見たり、聞いたりするととても真の強い厳しい人な一面もある。

そして、かなりサバサバしていて情で動くよりはなんでも割り切っているところがかっこいい

例えば、コーチをしている時に個人的な相談を受けても線を引くようにしていると言う。

今ではお仕事の幅も広げ、沢山の経験をへて、柔らかさ、女性的な強さが増し彼女を更に耀かせている様な気がする

好きな人との行方はどうであれ、スカッと彼女らしい恋愛をしていくであろうことは想像がつくが、何よりも、この今のあやちゃんの姿を将来結ばれる人に是非見て、読んでもらえたら嬉しい

そしていつか、彼女の未来の旦那さまとお酒でも飲みながらあやちゃんへのLOVEを分かち合える日がくるといいなぁと勝手に望んでいる

このステイホームで恋愛事情がかなり変わったと言うことをすごく聞く様になったがこんな形も一つであり、一人一人が人生について考える良き機会になっていることは間違いない事をセッションごとに感じる

そして、毎回自分への学びともなっている、今回は恋愛スイッチを入れよう!w

好きを感じる意識が大事なのかもしれない、なのでこの意識を始めた私にも何か進展があることを期待したいw

では最後に、更に輝くあやちゃんと久々の長話できてと〜ても楽しかったしドキドキさせてもらえました!ありがとう

これからも、恋をし続けて、さらに輝く未来のあやちゃんを応援しております〜

進展あった時また連絡くーださい

以前撮影させて頂いた写真も好きだけど、このプロジェクトが大好きな理由は本当のに素の自分なみんなと話せて、そのナチュラルな表情が撮れることが楽しみ!

ぜひ、下のアルバムとスタジオ撮影を見比べてみていただきたい :)

Thank you so much

Lina

FOLLOW Her World:

Instagram:@aya_takizawa_

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Aya- to my lover

I met Aya  through our common friend about 10 years ago. Our mutual friend connected us to shoot together. Since then, we’ve  had photo sessions every year. I’m always amused by how beautiful and independent of a woman she has become.

I’m placing photos of our collaborative history here for this session. Please see the relationship that we have built through the images : )

She messages me once in a while to say hi and see how I'm doing even when we are an ocean apart. She is such a caring person, and this time with COVID she did contact me to see how everything is going with my life in NYC. I have felt so much warmth and love from many of my friends who contacted me during this quarantine. It has been the source of my energy and power for myself to give to others. I even think that this time has given me the chance to really appreciate all that I have. 

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LOVE

I have asked her the same question, “ Who would you be leaving a message to on the other side of this lens.” She has decided to dedicate this to the person she LOVEs. 

She always has someone in mind and that has not changed since 10 years ago.

That is probably where her constant glow comes from.

Then I had to ask how she has been dealing with the situation of this quarantine in Tokyo, living by herself. 

She goes, I’ve been enjoying the time and love spending time researching things, and self improvement has been her joy -  which led her to oversee her life and find her new goals for the future. Cooking is one of them and her dishes look amazing! Check out her instagram!

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MARRIAGE

Of all things that she has researched and discovered, MARRIAGE was a thing that changed in her. She started to think more seriously and realistic towards having a love of her life. 

That is why she decided to choose “the LOVER” to deliver this message to.

Just because she is in LOVE does not mean that she will be only thinking of him. Instead, she focuses on learning and  improving herself.

I'm impressed that most of the women I know were super  positive during this quarantine and are very proud  of them for the fact! 

Aya has  prioritized work first like most working women.  It doesn't mean that she discarded her love life but it is natural to not have enough time to spare when your life contains many other things to fill and lacks the space and time for a lovelife.

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SWITCH 

However, she learned how to turn on the LOVE switch ON!!! She says! And of course I had to ask how???  haha

She said that one of her friends told her that she needs to do that in order to find someone.

Yes, “it is easier said than done” I know for myself.

But I started to think, it may just be very simple. Just learn to make time to accept someone else in your life and maybe spend a little less time on other things. Which might mean you will have to sacrifice a few things that you have been prioritizing in the past...

During this quarantine, she did really focus on doing that. It is hard to adjust the lifestyle if you have been living with work as  a priority, but she did it! She let her guard down to devote the time towards someone who she loves. Which is a brave thing to do. She is strong but not stubborn, that is her charm. 

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Thick SKIN

Thinking of how she has always been a person who is affectionate seems like she has been always looking for that GUY so I had to ask what she thinks changed about herself since the first time we met about 10 years ago.

Then, she goes, I have tough skin now. Little things will not bring her down.

She already had the strength in her when I first met her, especially  being nominated as the MISS UNIVERSE JAPAN 2012 finalist amongst many women, although I only saw the soft side of her. Eventually, when I saw her coaching future contestants, I learned that she could also be very serious and tough.

EXPANSION

I was also intrigued by the fact she is very objective and doesn’t get into the emotional mode when she is coaching. Which I feel is common with females as their nature to be emotionally involved. Love that about her.

She has no problem to draw the line and say IT is what it is so go on! To anyone who comes to lean from her.

Now, her career has led to experience broader visions and she became more grounded within the strength as a woman. 

WEll, no matter what happens with the person she loves now. I'm pretty sure that she will be making actions towards her happiness.

I am looking forward to meeting her future husband and sharing this story and talking about how lovely she is with a glass of wine. That will be my dream with AYA.

This quarantine life has changed perspectives about dating, love life, even just LIFE itself. 

In every session, I feel that every single person has been thinking about LIFE itself and it has been a great opportunity to self-reflect. 

It has certainly been my learning process for myself and this time I learned that there is a switch to put on a LOVE mood! Haha

Without a doubt, there needs to be some space in myself to be open up and be aware of my emotions. 

Then, I may be able to find something along the way. 

Finally, it was such a fun time chatting with you AYA. Can't wait to hear about how your love story leads to happiness.

Please keep me posted :)

Love, Lina

FOLLOW Her World:

Instagram:@aya_takizawa_

Where it took place…

 
 
 

Mariko: 不思議な力・Superpower | Episode 2 by Lina Takeuchi

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Marikoさん-生理コーチ 

今回のまりこさんとの会は彼女の生理コーチpodcastのゲストでお招きいただいたのがきっかけで、ぜひコラボ企画として私のLLLプロジェクトも同時にzoomで赤裸々トークを!として実現

まりこさんもアメリカに長く住んでいるバイリンガルで初めてお会いしたのは知り合いからの紹介で生理コーチのウェブ素材の撮影をさせて頂いた時だ

生理コーチ

まず、生理コーチと聞いて本当に興味深いと思ったのが印象的、女性がもっと自由に生理、ヘルスに関して話ができたり相談できたらいいなと私も考えていたのでそこに重点を置いたコーチをしている人と聞いて嬉しいと共に面白い人であるに間違いないと思ったのを覚えている

実際会ってみて、まりこさんは自分をしっかりもちニューヨークで強く生きてきたからこその暖かさを持つ人

今回はいつも聞いているこのエピソードを贈りたい人のテーマは決めず私たちの女子トークのような形で始まった

私自身が一番彼女に聞きたかったことは自粛中の体の変化だが、それはひとまず置いておいてステイホーム生活で何か価値観が変わったことはないかと聞くと

時間が有り余りすぎていてヒマ潰しをするようになってしまったと言う

今までの話してきた人たちとはまた全く違う返答を聞き、これがMARIKOだ!と言われた気持ちになった。こう言うところが大好きだ。

更に、いやストレスもたまるし友達と喧嘩するようになったし。。。と続く。大好きだ!w

不思議なパワー

彼女には不思議なパワーがある。周りにそれでいいんだよと言わんばかりに人間らしいありのままの姿を放ち自らがオープンになることで周りが安心する、そんな気がする

そこで、はじめに気になっていた私の体の変化について聞いてみる。私は以前からある慢性的な骨盤の痛みが悪化したことで運動のことや食習慣についても聞いてみると

そんなの昼寝に決まってんじゃん〜!

いや、みんなあるでしょ!夫も私もそうなんだけどストレスでちょっとでも幸せになりたい気持ちから甘いものを沢山食べるようになったんだよね... 先月は生理が2回きたんだと教えてくれた。ストレスとホルモンバランスによって排卵が行われなかった可能性があるかららしい。勉強になる!

私もそういえば生理がまたきた?と思わされたことがこのステイホーム中数回あった

そう言うふとした事もこうして話す事でカラダを気にかけてあげる事は大切だと思う

それにしても、本当に彼女の飾らないところが私は好きすぎて話しながらニヤニヤしてしまう

ポッドキャストもそれが全面に出た魅力があるので是非聞いて欲しい

ストレス

また、このまりこさんとの会話は6月のはじめだったのでlockdown 3ヶ月目に入り”ストレス”がテーマのような内容になるがそのストレスはどこから来ているのかこれが不思議だ

まりこさんは自粛に入り、そのヒマ潰し、インスタやソーシャルメディアのパトロールに没頭、これまで3つのワラジでやって来た彼女は休みが無いほど働いていたのに急にヒマになり何をしていいか分からないしウェブやブログの更新などやる事があるにせよ何も進んでいないと言う。

いや、さすがに何がしたいか分からないは無いよなぁと思い。まさに今したい事は何か聞くと。”そんなの昼寝に決まってるじゃん〜!”と笑顔で答えてくれるこれが私のツボ、”まりこ節”だ!

この2ヶ月半ほど、何かをしないといけない、これが終わったら見せられる事をしておかないと!などどこか焦りを感じながら生活していた私の肩の力がふと抜けていく事を感じた瞬間だった

まりこさん、これからも変わらず自分の気持ちをストレートに、そして全ての女性に勇気と希望を与え続けてくれる事期待しております!

スピリチュアル

最後におまけというか、素敵な奇跡が!実はまりこさんはスピリチュアルなパワーが最近備わり見えることがあるという話は以前から聞いて

いたのですが...今度タイミングが会う時にみてください〜と言うとそうだね、今度!と言ってから目を細めてあのね、おばあちゃんかなぁ、いつも守ってくれてるよねと始めた。でも今お饅頭とお酒が見えるんだけど最近家族に会えていないのかその二つ欲しかっているよお酒はおじいさんかなぁと教えてくれた

このプロジェクトを初めて本当に毎回思うが今話す必要がある人との巡り合わせのタイミングで話させて頂いているんだなぁとそんな気がした素敵な会になりました

Thank you Mariko san...

FOLLOW Her World:

Instagram: @mariko_imada

Podcast: “Dear Superwomen”

Website: COACH Mariko Imada

Super Power

This time around, I have an announcement to make about my debut on a podcast as a guest (!) with the  powerful woman that is Mariko - available now!  Please go listen to her empowering Podcast. We had such a fun time chatting and of course we collaborated on my LLL project as well. It was just perfect timing :)

PERIOD Coach-She is a holistic coach focused on PERIODS. I met her for the first time on a photoshoot for her website and social media. I became instantly interested in her and her career when I heard that she is a PERIOD coach since I had so many questions around my own periods and health, and because I’d never heard of a specialist on PERIODS. I personally feel that it is important for women to have the place to talk and ask questions about the topic, then I was also thinking that this woman must be an interesting person!!!

There is no doubt she is a powerful, independent woman who has lived in NYC for a long time, but also has the warmth from within herself which comes from strength.

I decided to just go with the flow for this conversation since this was also for the podcast and sometimes girls just wanna have fun lol. I had a major question that I wanted to ask her in regards to my health and period but with that put on the side for the time being, I asked her how this lockdown has affected her.

Her answer was something I did not expect… She says, “I have too much time on my hands that I have been procrastinating!” After a second I realized what a perfect answer!!! This is the kind of honesty that makes Mariko who she is.

She continues and says “I have so much stress that I started fighting with my friends and it got worse.” LOVE IT! 

SUPER POWER-She has this superpower about her. She just opens her mouth and herself, which allows others to become free to think what you are truly feeling. That is POWER.

I just wanna take a nap!

Then, it was time for me to ask that question about myself. The pelvic bone that has been my most painful experience during this quarantine. My eating habits and reduced exercise has definitely affected my body and at some nights I couldn't sleep... and she goes well, we all have that stress that has changed some of our behaviors. She told me that her husband and herself started eating more sweets than ever because of the stress from staying home and she also had 2 periods last month.

There was a month where I thought I had two periods in a month myself during this quarantine.

I feel that it is important for  women to talk about these things and care for ourselves.

Well, all I have to say here is that I love how she is so bold and true to her feelings and self that I just can't help but to smile. 

Her podcast is the perfect display of herself and talent which you all have to go and listen to!

STRESS-When we had this chat, it  was the beginning of JUNE. At that point, we were in the  3rd month of lockdown and the conversation was leaning towards STRESS. 

She told me that she has been on instagram and social media all the time. There are things she can do such as updating her website and blog but nothing has been moving forward. She feels lost and has no idea what to do.

I said, BUT there must be something she wants to do NOW NOW!! So I asked. What does she want to do now? Then she goes, “I just wanna take a nap!” With a smile on her face. YES this is the MARIKO power!!!

My mind has been tremendously  busy with just trying to create something during this crazy period of our lifetime, so her answer almost dusted off so many layers of feelings that I was carrying on my shoulders.

It is amazing what she can do for the world and I am certain that she will be making many women happy with her abilities to cure.

Little Surprise-There was a little surprise toward the end of this session... I knew how she has discovered her spiritual power and I told her I would love to have her read me in the near future, and she said “Sure, I will when it comes to me!” As we were ending our conversation, she squinted her eyes and  told me that there is a grandmother who is always besides me and watching over my life. She also saw Japanese sweets and Sake, which either my grandmother or grandfather is wanting and it might be the sign that they want the family to visit the grave.

Every session that I do,  I feel gratitude with special talks and how timing is so right that makes me realize it is meant to be at this time and place.

Thank you Mariko for such a special talk! Your special energy has lifted my soul up to keep doing what I'm doing.

FOLLOW Her World:

Instagram: @mariko_imada

Podcast: “Dear Superwomen”

Website: COACH Mariko Imada

Where it took place…

 
 
 

about- LinaLoveLetter Project by Lina Takeuchi

 
 

To all my favorite WOMEN

LinaLoveLetter Projectとは私から周りの素敵な女性にLove Letterを送ると言うプロジェクト

簡単な説明をすると、zoomで数時間、長い人では7時間もの時間を頂き話通します。その中で彼女たちの自然な表情をキャプチャーさせてもらっています。

距離は日本、ヨーロッパ、ニューヨークの人など離れているけれどもこうした時間と二人だけのスペールを儲けさせて頂く事によって一番親密な、自然な関係を築くことができ写真にもそれを抑えさせてもらうと言うコンセプト

回数を重ねるたびに意味が深くなってきているこのプロジェクトだが、今まで写真とセラピーを融合したことをしたいと思っていた事もあり腹を割って会話をすることが効果的なのでは!と始めたプロジェクトだけれど今となっては私のセラピー・ストレス解消、かつ毎回のセッションが私にとっての学びの空間となっている

始めるきっかけは、ステイホームをしつつ色々な事を考えた結果大切な事に気がつかされた自分の経験が強く関わっている。

今、周りにいてくれている、気にかけてくれる私にとって大切で尊敬する女性達の素顔をここに記録しておきたいと思いから始まりました。

そもそも私はカメラが好きとかでは無く、スナップも取ることのない不思議なカメラマンなのですが... 写真を始めた根源や写真を唯一続けられている理由を今一度再確認する時間をこのパンデミックの経験が授けてくれたと思っています。

その理由は、人と繋がっていることの大切さや喜びを写真が教えてくれているという事です。その感覚があるから写真を取るんだと教えられ、そこからこのプロジェクトが始まりました。

物質的な距離と撮影している時の二人だけの空間は不思議と距離感を縮め今までにない素の姿をキャプチャーできる瞬間が私の鳥肌の瞬間です。

その素な姿は女性としての優しさ、強さを兼ね揃えていると私は感じていて、あまり見せないかもしれないけれど、本当に美しい姿だと思います。

そんな私に見せてくれた姿をみなさんとシェアさせていただけたらという思い出いをこのブログに綴ります。

This is about all of my favorite women on earth.

This quarantine has taught us many things…

Most important fact that I have learned is to simplify life and that action reminded me to go back to the roots. Especially with photography/ ART. Art class was my way of communication when I just moved to California since I did not speak any English and also learning to express my self for the first time in my life was a special place for me to explore. This made me realize there are many layers of what needs to be subtracted in my life. Make space for my self. Then, I ended up having more time to think of others and appreciate. This project is about my journey with my important people who are surrounding my beautiful life and sharing experiences of being distant but still being connected.

Photography wise, I feel grateful to have find a tool to communicate through: a lens. As this project develops, I have come to the realization of having this style of shooting can bring most natural self of subjects and this feels special and the moment is precious. Really appreciate all of my friends for being a part of this and sharing experiences with me. This will forever be kept in my heart in a special place.

Hope that this blog can give you an illusion of being in that moment with us and really reflecting yourself and make you feel okay to be raw with your feelings. 

It is important to share those emotions because we all have those moments and it is okay to be serious, funny, emotional, angry and everything else! Because that makes US women beautiful and shine as a butterfly.

 

右脳・Right Brain

Growing up in the states at the age of 16 was amazing but still struggled with identity issues for a while

Now, I feel comfortable under my own skin and having my own identity has released my fear of not belonging to one particular place

This is probably why I was able to start this project

The style of writing Japanese on the left and English on the right comes from the similar idea of myself thinking process when I speak both language

I purposely did not translate neither of writing, instead I wrote what I felt in each language

Hope this visual will take you to the journey to my world

左脳・Left Brain

私は16歳の時アメリカに移り住み、しばらく私のHOMEとはどこにあるのかと悩んだ時間が長かった

今やっと自分と言う姿を全て受け止めて完璧じゃなくていいんだ、ありのままが自分なのだと言えるようになった

だからこそ、このタイミングでこのプロジェクトを始めようと思えた

このブログが左に日本語、右に英語な理由もそうだ

どこかで、日本語は左脳を使う事が多く、英語は右脳を使う事が多いらしいと言う事を聞いた事がある

会話をする時と同じように書いているこのプロジェクトはあえて翻訳をするのではなく日本語で思った事、英語で思った事を自然と書くようにしている

そんな、少し不思議な感覚もみなさんに体感していただけたら嬉しい

 
 
 

Yui--- 未来の自分へ・”to future self”| Episode 1 by Lina Takeuchi

yuiQuarantine130538 1.jpg
 

YUIー未来の自分へ


以前撮影させて頂いたご縁でお知り合いだったYUIちゃん、なんとlockdown4日前あたりにニューヨーク上陸!そんな色々持っている彼女w が初回のコラボレーションに快くご協力してくれました

かなり盛りだくさんな内容ですが頑張ってまとめます

この初のリモート撮影は今年4月23日だった。そう、彼女が1ヶ月滞在したニューヨーク最後の日をあえて選択してくれた。結果、3時間ものセッションで楽しく、また深〜い話をシェアしてくれた彼女にありがとう。

まず撮影を始めるに当たって今回記録する自分を誰に伝えたいか、残したいか、という質問をさせてもらったところ”未来の自分”と答えてくれたYUIちゃん。その言葉には重要な意味とパワーがある事が後々わかるのでお楽しみに。

自撮り・写真

日頃自撮りをしているYUIちゃんですが、自撮りをする時のモットーは” 将来のために今の自身を残していく”

未来の自分のために自分がどういう顔を今現在しているのかを知らせるために残す

だから、彼女はニューヨーク最終日というかなり気持ちに動きの出る日を選んだのだと言う、私ならばたばたして最終日になんて余裕がないと思う…w


さらに、自分を写真に残す事を始めた最初のきっかけを聞くと、数年前に自分の感情の波が激しいと感じた時にその瞬間の様々な表情を残して置きたいという気持ちから始めたという。

こんなに自らのありのままを見つめられる人間はいるだろうか...

若いのに感心してしまうほど客観視ができていて素敵な女性YUIの魅了をここでも思い知らされる


ステイホーム in NY

“自分は物を作る事が以外に好きだと気がつく”

始めは料理を作る事でその欲を満たしていたけれど、自撮りの写真のコラージュを始める

今まで自撮りはしていたものの、このコラージュというプロセスを挟む事で自撮りに加えて新しくクリエイティブな自分の作品を作る事の喜びを見つけたように感じるという

さらにステイホーム中、今の自分でいいのか、どこにいるべきなのかを考えたという(私も同じく)それで気がついた事は東京では無いという事

彼女の言葉は東京に飽きただったけど、私の見解は東京は卒業して次のステップの幕開け

だから、彼女は別の場所としてニューヨークを選んだのでは?と思う

この旅で久々に上京した時のような”青さを感じるという” 邦画の”ブルー”のようなそんな感覚だと本人は語る

恩返しはしなくていいから恩送りを

”不安定な場所が好き”

ニューヨークにいる今の感情は ”ブルー” 青い気分、10代の青さみたいな、不安定感を久々に感じている

あの時の感じに憧れる、10代の勢いとか、大人になると消えていってしまうあの儚い感情を追いかけるのが好き

キラキラして、ちょっと痛々しくて

”不安定な場所が好き” 安定する事が怖い

安定した瞬間に自分が満足して、全てがここで終わると考えると怖い

この彼女の不思議というか繊細な感覚が大好きでずっと見ていたいと思ってしまう...

向上心が強く、落ち着いたところには自身をおかず、もしそう感じた時は他の場所に身を置いてみる。

未来の自分へのメッセージ

今の自分を伝えたい未来の自分とはどのくらい先なのかと聞くと…  1ヶ月、2ヶ月先という以外に近い未来であった。

理由はある日突然後ろを振り返った時に意外とやったな!と思える事が彼女の中では重要その時がいつ来るかわからないから、いつきても良いように”常に新しい自分でいたい”

そしてそれをずっと続けていたい

ゴールを常に定めている彼女にとっては次の目標も明確で、着実にそれを達成し、次のステップへと前進していく事が日常である。そんな人間のもつ未来の自分へのビジョンへの期待と好奇心でこんな質問をしてみた。

日本に帰った時の未来の自分へ:

”落ちてもいいけど死ぬなよ!”

*この次の日に帰国する彼女は14日間の自粛隔離生活をする予定

2ヶ月以降の自分へ:

”今の自分が想像できない場所にいてと欲しいと思う”

一年後そしてその先へ:

ニューヨークリベンジ!新しく変わった街を自分の目で確認、そして2年後、3年後にはこの街に住んでいたい

今の心境

久々に夢ができて嬉しいし、楽しみ

彼女の向上心と一生懸命な生き方が素敵でこれからも彼女の変動や感情を撮り続けて行けたらなぁと思わせられるそんな貴重な時に女性に出会えて私は幸せである

最後に

そんな彼女は本当に常に人には助けられているという。そしてその方達に恩返ししないと死ねないといつも思っていたけどある日

上の人に

”恩返しはしなくていいから恩送りをしなさい、自分の次の世代にやってもらった事をちゃんと伝え、残していけばいい” と言われたという

私から見たらそんなあなただからみんなが手を差し伸べたいと思うのだ、そして、こういった素敵な言葉を伝え残してくれたのだと思う

そんな事を言える大人になって行けたらという願い、そして彼女の人柄はこういった言葉を常に意識しながら生きているらこそ形成されていてそれが魅力となっているのだなぁと感じたのでこの素敵なメッセージをここにシェアさせて頂きます。

Yuiちゃん本当にありがとう。これから続いていく成長日記/私たちのセッションが楽しみです!

これからも末長くよろしく

Lina

FOLLOW Her World:

Instagram:@yui_fjwr5_

Film: “Blue”

Yui-- ”to future self”

Yui came to NYC just 4 days before the city had announced the lockdown. I suggested her to reconsider coming and push back this trip if possible but she’d made up her mind so I  said to her, why not see the city in its abnormal state.

We met a few years ago at a photo shoot and I immediately felt this special quality in her. In general, finding someone who owns their opinions and philosophy is hard to find in Japan but I saw that in her. That is one of many good qualities you will see in her which is reflected through images that she creates whether or not she is the photographer or the model. Photography does show many things within one frame like the emotional distance between the photographer and the subject, mood of the person, atmosphere, and such. She is definitely aware of all of those elements and knows how to deliver the message through the whole process.

This is why I wanted her to be a part of this project, and also because she is one of many women that I respect and adore.

Every session I will be asking individuals to decide who they would like to deliver a message to through this session. So I did the same to Yui and she has decided that this will be for her future self.

Self Discovery

As we spoke about how this quarantine has affected her, she tells me she has discovered how much she loves creating something for the sake of leaving a footprint of her being and to feel how she was feeling in the moment. That is why she started her self-portrait project about 2 years ago with her film camera. 

Today,  she started doing collages with her self-portrait as an extension of the ongoing project. The process of collaging allows her to be more objective of herself and mentions that it’s almost therapeutic to take the moment to look back on how she was feeling while shooting.

One of the things that I feel intrigued about her is that she likes to shoot in all of her emotions;  happy, mad, sad, confused, etc. She feels the need to record all these emotions in raw forms to remember her path. It is interesting to discover how much she is interested in how she has been living her past and how truthful she wants it to exist in this lifetime.

It is rare to find a person who is vulnerable to display and see themselves as raw as they can be. It could be so much easier not to confront their negative self and emotions, than seeing and revealing everything. Instead, she tries to see everything, not denying what has been happening emotionally and physically. I feel that this is an extreme example of truly embracing yourself by accepting who you are. This is why she is such a grounded person at such a young age. Her being magnifies people and we immediately want to get to know her.

Constant Reminder

It seems that she is constantly reminding herself how she is living and feeling. That is rare for most of us to do (or at least for me it is). This thought brought up a question to ask:  “How far in THE FUTURE self is she thinking of?” She reveals to me that it is about 1 - 2 months from now… I was so surprised to find out it is such a near future since most of us will probably say about 5 to 10 years. No?

She says she checks herself almost every 1-2 months and wants to make sure that she can look back and pat herself on the back and say you`ve done something! Not necessarily a great job but to feel okay about herself.

How many people can say that I have done something in the past 10 years??? I say, she has infinite possibilities and a bright future to come!

Then, I said when do you rest? Right???

She goes, she is resting all the time. I realized that it is such a natural part of her life which it does not exhaust her.

Yui has been living her life this way for at least a decade and it is obvious, without a doubt, that this is the factor in achieving her goals at such a young age, especially for her to know which way she is going in life. No wonder that she is finished with TOKYO and ready to move on. 

She initially told me the reason why she wanted to see NYC was because she got bored of Tokyo but I say it is time for her to move on to the next stage of her life.

It is interesting to see that  she has no clue how this routine has led her life realistically and surely in the past and it will continue doing so even though she feels uncertain at some point in her life.  This connects the dot  of  why her word of choice regarding TOKYO was “bored” and it tells me the uncertainty of her state of mind but when she talks about her future she is super sure about her life. She sets her goal and works towards the goal no matter what.

State of Mind

I also asked her what movie is a fit for today's emotional state,   knowing that she watches lots of movies

She began talking about this Japanese Movie “Blue.” It's about this teenage girl who is ambitious at the same time having this murkiness in emotions. She likes the uncomfortableness of how she felt as a teenager in adolescence and is still looking for that fresh and bitter kind of place to be. 

Quarantine actually gave Yui similar emotions since she is in transition and having this whole time to think about herself and the future. However, she says loves this uncertainty and emotional rollercoaster kind of feeling. 

After hearing this, I felt that she just wants to keep growing and doesn't want to be stuck in a comfort zone so she decides to move on to the next thing when she has no more space to grow.

I think Yui is a hard worker, though she does not present herself that way. She knows that she can do better so she pushes herself if it even means that she has to move across the ocean to a foreign country. She would, without a question or fear.

I don`t want to stay in the comfortable state of mind

I am intrigued by her discipline which makes her shine and grow. Most importantly, I’m grateful to be a little part of her life to capture and leave a piece of her in my brand new project that I hope will be ongoing.

Love you and can’t wait to capture the next phase of your life!

Lina

xoxo 

FOLLOW Her World:

Instagram:@yui_fjwr5_

Film: “Blue”

Where it took place…