© Yoichi Watanabe
Yoichi Watanabe “Buna”
Friday, July 25 – Saturday, August 9, 2025 13:00–19:00
Closed on Sundays, Mondays and Holidays
LAG (LIVE ART GALLERY)
Daiwa Jingumae Bldg. 1F, 2-4-11 Jingumae, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo 150-0001
LAG is pleased to present the Yoichi Watanabe photo exhibition “Buna” from Friday, July 25, 2025, to Saturday, August 9, 2025, to celebrate the publication launch of the photo book.
Watanabe, a photographer has been shooting photographs set in snowy mountains while being involved in the ski cultural life for many years in Niseko, Hokkaido, his interest was becoming nature all across Japan and its secluded communities in the regions with heavy snowfalls, he has recently worked on his photographs that confront the culture and the human activities steeped in mystery and tradition the places.
This exhibition will feature a collection of photographs documenting the Dosojin Fire Festival over a year. The unique cultural heritage festival has been passed down in the village of Nozawa Onsen in Nagano Prefecture for over 300 years. He spent time with the locals living there and photography this work, which presents the whole process of the rite, to select and chop the beech trees called buna in Japanese from the mountains as divined pillars, construct with them into a large wooden shrine, and burn it to ascend to the heavens, is not only records the inheritance of the traditional culture, but also teaches us with various perspectives, such as the intersection of life and faith and the coexistence of nature and humans, through “Buna.”
A photo book titled “Buna” printed by LIVE ART BOOKS will be on sale at the LAG. There will also be an artist talk with guests during the exhibition period. Please take this opportunity to visit the exhibition.
The sacred beech trees are cut out from the holy forest, and they become the sacred flames to ascend to the heavens on January 15, known as the Little New Year. Seeing it evokes a deep connection between nature and the lives of its people. The entire village unites in spirit and dedication to bring this festival to life. Nozawa Onsen’s Dosojin Fire Festival stands as a living testament to Japan’s deep understanding of “Matsuri-goto,” which means the essence of the sacred practices that bind humanity, nature, and the divine in enduring harmony.
– Yoichi Watanabe
OPENING EVENT
Time: 5:00 pm-7:00 pm
Participation fee: 1,000JPY *No reservation required
・Reception Party Start 5:00 pm
*A chef from Nozawa Onsen Village’s restaurant called “Shichirohei Coffee” will be present to serve light meals made with local ingredients and local sake.
・Artist talk with guests Start 7:00 pm
Presenters： Yoichi Watanabe (Photographer), Kenji Kono（The chairperson of the executive committee of Dosojin Fire Festival of 2024 (Rakuseikai)), Yuta Ueno（Mayor of Nozawa Onsen Village, Nagano）
Yoichi Watanabe
Since the 1990s, he has been producing photographs in snowy mountains all over the world. While continuing to work on his creation, he has also been pursuing ski culture, documenting the natural environment and the culture rooted in the snow-covered regions of Japan. In 2015, he has been spreading widely the appeal of snow culture through his publishing magazine, Stuben Magazine. In 2012, focusing on working with the theme of the profound bond between humans and the natural world, he held the exhibition titled “Shiroi Mori(The white Forest)” and published the photo book titled “Broad Leaf Snow Tree.” He released another photo book, “Yukimori -The Essence of the Winter Forest-” in 2019. From 2023 to 2024, he covered closely the Dosojin Fire Festival in Nozawa Onsen Village, Nagano Prefecture, and produced photographs. In January 2025, he published the photo book “Buna,” which explores the deep connection between the beech forests and the villagers, as well as the relationship between belief in the deity of nature and daily life.
He continues to work, coming and going between the recording and expression.
GUEST PROFILE
Kenji Kono （on the right in the picture）
He was born in Nozawa Onsen Village, Nagano Prefecture, in 1983. He has been skiing since childhood and later competed around the world as a ski cross World Cup athlete for 12 years. When he was 31, He returned to his hometown of Nozawa Onsen Village and founded “Nozawa Green Field,” which offers natural experience services for visitors, such as SUP tours and tree camping, making use of the best of handmade tree houses. He continues to ski as a skier in the winter and promotes the appeal of outdoor sports and nature throughout the year. He was the chairperson of the executive committee of the Dosojin Fire Festival of 2024 （Rakuseikai）.
Yuta Ueno （on the left in the picture）
He was born in Nozawa Onsen Village, Nagano Prefecture, in 1981. He had been an active ski athlete for a long time and studied health science and coaching theory at Juntendo University. At the 2014 Olympics, he served as coach for the Japanese freestyle skiing team. He later started his own business, “Compass House,” operating a year-round outdoor sports business in the village. He managed and operated tour planning and shops. As a member of the Nozawa Onsen Village Council, he actively addressed the community revitalization by utilizing idle properties and creating employment opportunities for young people and new residents. After serving as a village council member, he was elected mayor of Nozawa Onsen Village in March 2024 and has worked hard to create a better and more prosperous village. He is also the father of three children who attend Nozawa Onsen Gakuen.
Book Information
Yoichi Watanabe “Buna”
*This photo book will be available for sale at LAG.
–
Published by Yoichi Watanabe on January 15, 2025
Photographer: Yoichi Watanabe
Art Direction and Design: Hideyuki Saito
English writer: Michael Davenport
Photography assistant: Lisa Obinata
Printed: LIVE ART BOOKS
Book binding: Hakushowdou
Price：8,800JPY (includes tax)