A friend of mine—an artist originally from Canada—lives on Sado Island. Mirai-chan is the daughter of his friends. If I recall correctly his dog is in some of the photos.
It is difficult to see from this photo, but I think that is my friend's dog as a puppy. The dog's name is Kyla. There is also a photo of Mirai-chan sitting on an engawa and Kyla standing behind her leaning his forepaws on her head.
Kyla is still around and doing fine. My friend and Kyla go on adventure walks in Sado every single day.
Yes, that is correct, Daniel. As it happens I had a conversation about Mirai-chan with my friend last year. I think it is OK to share here:
FRIEND: Kjeld, I really had no idea who this Kotori-kun was that was always hanging around for about a year taking pictures. Then when the publisher showed me galley proofs of the book I thought 'Well, those are sweet', but nothing more. I didn't for a second think it would become the monster hit it did. Shows you how much I know.
ME: Interesting. Did he never explain his project, or ask for permission?
FRIEND: Well not to me specifically but he did with 'Mirai-chan's mum who is one of my best friends. She kept Mirai-chan's identity secret through it all. Tourists came from all over the place to see the locations of the pictures. Fortunately none made it to our back garden.
ME: Mirai-chan must now be about 16 years old. I have always wondered how she has felt about the book and all the publicity it received. I hope it has not had a negative legacy on her. Glad to read that Mirai-chan's identity was kept secret.
FRIEND: She is a lovely, well adjusted girl about to go into high school.
Her cuteness and strength are symbolic I think, for all those of the future after her in Japan had the same qualities. Truly the ladies and men of the Land of the Rising Sun are cut from a different cloth from others. Mirai as you and I have noted is a very fitting name for her.
Actually, I didn't think that was her real name either. As you said, I think that's the most interesting part of this photo book for me too. Her presence (atmosphere) makes us feel not only the past (nostalgia) but also the future (hope).
These are amazing photos, little girl Mirai is incredibly beautiful and expressive.
A friend of mine—an artist originally from Canada—lives on Sado Island. Mirai-chan is the daughter of his friends. If I recall correctly his dog is in some of the photos.
What a coincidence! (^O^) The world was smaller than I thought. By the way, one of the photos I introduced in this article also shows a white dog.
It is difficult to see from this photo, but I think that is my friend's dog as a puppy. The dog's name is Kyla. There is also a photo of Mirai-chan sitting on an engawa and Kyla standing behind her leaning his forepaws on her head.
Kyla is still around and doing fine. My friend and Kyla go on adventure walks in Sado every single day.
Wonderful!
I'm very happy to hear that that dog is still doing well.
Hey Kjeld, could you confirm what I read somewhere (and repeated here before I saw your comment!) that Mirai is not the girl's real name?
Yes, that is correct, Daniel. As it happens I had a conversation about Mirai-chan with my friend last year. I think it is OK to share here:
FRIEND: Kjeld, I really had no idea who this Kotori-kun was that was always hanging around for about a year taking pictures. Then when the publisher showed me galley proofs of the book I thought 'Well, those are sweet', but nothing more. I didn't for a second think it would become the monster hit it did. Shows you how much I know.
ME: Interesting. Did he never explain his project, or ask for permission?
FRIEND: Well not to me specifically but he did with 'Mirai-chan's mum who is one of my best friends. She kept Mirai-chan's identity secret through it all. Tourists came from all over the place to see the locations of the pictures. Fortunately none made it to our back garden.
ME: Mirai-chan must now be about 16 years old. I have always wondered how she has felt about the book and all the publicity it received. I hope it has not had a negative legacy on her. Glad to read that Mirai-chan's identity was kept secret.
FRIEND: She is a lovely, well adjusted girl about to go into high school.
Thanks for the details! I'm sure no 16 year old is focused for a second about some photos someone took of them more than a decade ago.
Her cuteness and strength are symbolic I think, for all those of the future after her in Japan had the same qualities. Truly the ladies and men of the Land of the Rising Sun are cut from a different cloth from others. Mirai as you and I have noted is a very fitting name for her.
Kawaiiiiii!
Even more interestingly (to me), Mirai is not the girl's real name. As you said, the Showa atmosphere is wonderful.
Actually, I didn't think that was her real name either. As you said, I think that's the most interesting part of this photo book for me too. Her presence (atmosphere) makes us feel not only the past (nostalgia) but also the future (hope).