Once in Asia

Author

Naoki Miyashita

Title

Once in Asia

Introduction

This book is mainly composed of photographs taken by photographer Naoki Miyashita during his visit to the city of Bishan in China around the beginning of the Lunar New Year in 2019.

Bishan is about five hours away from Shanghai. Originally, the town has streets lined with dull gray-white walls overlaid with dark blue-black tiles. However, remnants of red from celebrating the Lunar New Year and various clothing, decorations, notes, and strings of red scattered about catch the eye.

Miyashita reflects, ”The red in this country seems to resonate with the heartbeat of the people who live there (…) Although I came with the intention of touching Asia’s roots, during my stay, the line of whether this is a city retaining its past or a place in the process of arriving in its future became blurred. Amidst the deep blues and greens, I was anchored in the present only by the traces of bustling activity captured in red, flickering and glowing in my floating consciousness."

Naoki Miyashita

After working in sales at an advertising agency, Naoki Miyashita started working freelance in 2007. Since 2015, he has been working on branding and promotion as a photographer and cinematographer. Based in Kyoto and Tokyo, he is involved in the production of aerial photography and video for various subjects and genres, including traditional crafts, entertainment, documentary, art, design, commercial products, landscapes, and portraits. He is known for his expertise in branded documentaries that convey a brand’s worldview without being limited by language. https://www.miyashitanaoki.net/