Tomoki Momozono Captures a Distinguished Japanese Tradition Non-Traditionally
Jordan Sowunmi — August 16, 2011 — World
References: behance.net & english.mashkulture.net
Tomoki Momozono is a photographer born in Japan and based in London, England, whose series of photographs on the culture and aura of sumo wrestling, one of Japan's national sports, is a detailed insight into a subculture that many outside of the country have trouble understanding.
Tomoki Momozono's photography captures the strength, tradition, and spirit that fuels the historical sport in Japan. He manages to take several shots that are more than just two heavyset men engaged in contact. One of my favorite images from the Tomoki Momozono sumo series features the nuanced close-up of a sumo star's hand, full of taped fingers and gnarled nails, resting uneasily on his thigh, waiting for the referee to send him to the center of the pit. The shot is like one of a major offensive lineman heading towards the field, or a warrior stepping out for battle.
The Tomoki Momozono sumo photographs show a photographer unafraid of utilizing decidedly "out-of-the-box" aesthetics while drawing outsiders deep into a subculture, managing to do it in a way that seems organic and eschews sensationalism. If Tomoki Momozono's sumo shots are any indication of his talent, we can only look forward to his next intensive photography series.
Tomoki Momozono's photography captures the strength, tradition, and spirit that fuels the historical sport in Japan. He manages to take several shots that are more than just two heavyset men engaged in contact. One of my favorite images from the Tomoki Momozono sumo series features the nuanced close-up of a sumo star's hand, full of taped fingers and gnarled nails, resting uneasily on his thigh, waiting for the referee to send him to the center of the pit. The shot is like one of a major offensive lineman heading towards the field, or a warrior stepping out for battle.
The Tomoki Momozono sumo photographs show a photographer unafraid of utilizing decidedly "out-of-the-box" aesthetics while drawing outsiders deep into a subculture, managing to do it in a way that seems organic and eschews sensationalism. If Tomoki Momozono's sumo shots are any indication of his talent, we can only look forward to his next intensive photography series.
Trend Themes
1. Artistic Sports Photography - The use of unconventional aesthetics to capture the essence of sports and subcultures presents an opportunity to create unique content that resonates with audiences.
2. Subculture Exploration - Delving deep into subcultures that are lesser-known presents opportunities for storytellers to shed light on a particular way of life.
3. Culturally-sensitive Artistic Expression - Adopting a culturally-sensitive approach in artistic expression and storytelling presents an opportunity to bridge gaps between cultures and facilitate cross-cultural understanding.
Industry Implications
1. Sports Photography - Sports photographers can experiment with unconventional aesthetics to create more visually appealing content that allows audiences to experience the emotions and energy of sports events in a unique way.
2. Travel and Culture - The travel and culture industry can leverage artistic expressions like photography and storytelling to showcase the rich cultural offerings of various destinations that are not typically covered in mainstream media.
3. Marketing and Advertising - Marketing and advertising agencies can explore the use of culturally-sensitive and unconventional storytelling techniques in advertising campaigns. This can help break through the clutter and create more impact through unique and memorable messaging.
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