5 September 2007 - 植田正治写真美術館 (part 1)

I wanted to go to 植田正治写真美術館 couple of years back and this time I have to chance to go all because of Masha`s photo exhibition PHOTO STAGEⅡ～
出逢いの記憶～. I have missed Masha`s photo exhibition so many times. So this time I do not want to miss it anymore.

We reached the 岸本駅 around 9 am plus. Tried to walk to 植田正治写真美術館. It will take about 3min by car but 30minues by walk. The weather was hot! We walked for about 3 min, stopped at an intersection trying to figure out the way. An uncle drove by and asked us where we would like to go and offered a ride to us. The uncle asked us where we are from and was surprised when I told him we are from S`pore. He thought we are students! I guess he must be wondering why 2 S`poreans want to come to such a place.

I cannot believed that I reached 植田正治写真美術館. To me, it is a dream to come here. To be in a place where Masha has been to and has a great importance in his life. He purposely went all the way from Tokyo just to have press conference there to promote this exhibition. This exhibition was intended to give tribute to 植田正治 (Ueda Shoji).

The museum faces 大山　and the scenery is beautiful. The architecture is unique, grey color and there are pools in it. I guess having the pool to have the reflection of 大山 . It was so beautiful to see 大山 and its reflection in the building itself. There is a photo taken by Masha which is hanged in outside the building, I really love the photo, a photo of an eagle flying in the sky, with mountains behind it. This photo was taken in Switzerland. I really love the feeling of this photo - freedom.

The entrance fee is 1000yen, and BROS member need to pay only 800yen. The first floor consist of gallery D, When I first entered the gallery, I can see a big photo of Masha taking Ueda san`s photo. I can see that they are really very close from this photo. Then there are display of Masha`s photos taken by Ueda san - cover of Hello single, Heaven single etc. This gallery consists of photos taken by Ueda san. The photos were taken way back in the 1930s. I must say that his photos were really way in advance and shocking to those photos in that era.

Before we went up the staircase to second floor, there is a short description of Ueda sanand Masha`s message for this exhibition. Masha said that Ueda san had told him that　才能があるからいい写真と撮ります (because Masha has talent, that is why he can take good photos) and he encouraged Masha to take photos and have photo exhibition. Masha thought Ueda san was joking and he never expects himself to be influenced by Ueda san and took up photography. Ueda san always said that he himeself is an amateur - to have this feeling in whatever he does. This really influenced Masha in life and his thinking. Masha hopes that everyone who comes for this exhibition can feel the feelings he and other photographers have through their photos.


When you reach the second floor, you can see there is a seating area ( with chairs), where you can view 大山. I took photos there, it was cloudy at first and I could not see 大山 clearly. Luckily I managed to see the clear side of 大山 later and kept taking so many photos. No wonder Masha likes that spot so much! It is a great spot for taking photo.

Then there is a display TV which shows Masha and Ueda san`s interview. Masha talked about his view on Ueda`s san. There are 2 messages written by Goofy Mori (Masha`s producer) and Ueda san`s son. Goofy Mori wrote that when he was undecisive on Masha`s Hello single cover, someone pointed out that since he is a fan of Ueda san, why not invite Ueda san to take Masha`s photo. So he contacted Ueda san`s son and they started this collaboration. Seems like Masha`s works which photos were taken by Ueda san all sold well, - Hello, Heaven, Fukumania dvd.( I did not know that Peach did not sold well and Masha received bad comments at that time!) When Masha was at his career peak in 1995, he was rather tired and felt lost. Ueda san took his photo for Fukumania dvd and he managed to capture Masha`s expression at the right time and commented いい顔だ (nice/good face). Masha was rather shocked at that time and he finally realised that he should take a break and reconsider his direction in life/work. Because of what Ueda san, Masha took a 2 year break. I am grateful to what Ueda san had said to Masha. If not for Ueda san, probably Masha will not be what he is today. When Ueda san passed away, Masha`s only comment was Ueda san is always 一番でした (always the best). This comment by Masha really touched Ueda san`s son.

Then there is display of Masha`s works - which some are in his pictorial book (eg. photo of kissing couple, New York World Trade Centre, donkey etc). The feeling from looking at these real photos is different from the pictorial book.

There is also a cafe in second floor, where you can drink coffee and admire the scenery.

Works by other photographers (all Ueda san`s fans) are displayed in third storey. These are Masha`s photos taken by them. The photos are taken back in 1993 till recent. 1 of them is Ueda san`s assistant at that time (when shot Hello single photos) and treated Masha as `rival` as both started to take photos at that time.

We spent about 3 hours in the museum and I really feel my heart in peace when I am there. I hope to visit there again! I bought goods and the receptionist even gave me information in English as she knows that I am a foreigner. I cannot bear to leave the place but no choice, have to rush for train as there are only about 4 trains in a day.

On our way back to the station, we walked for about 2 min and heard a car horn. A woman kindly offered us a ride. She asked where we are from and is Ueda san famous. She asked me about my view on his photos and said that locals cannot understand or appreciate his photos. Ueda san was born in 坂港 and wonder why his muesum is in　岸本. Perhaps it is because it faces the mountain. I asked her for eatery place and she kindly gave her recommendation and drove us to the place after she picked her friend at the petrol station (she told him we are from spore). .