Motonori Shimizu Photography

Statement

1st story - Dayly life in 'Marginal Village' <Sugaike Village, Hakui City, Ishikawa Pref.>

There was a bus stop at the entrance of the village. Only two buses stop in a day.

It's not easy to meet people even if I walk in the daytime. A few persons did the field work.

I chatted with 2 elderly women about 2 hours during the field work. It was coming a lunch break. I said, 'Sorry to bother you.' One of them responded, 'Never mind, we do not have any plans to do this afternoon, tomorrow and more.'

After the chat time, she came back home to lunch. She lives alone here, such a big house.

2nd story - When the only shop shuts do

2nd story - When the only shop shuts down <Mazaki Island, Shima City, Mie Pref.> This island flourished in cultured pearl once. But now, there are no school, no hospital... and just now it is the time when the only shop shuts down.

The first ferry toward the island carried only me on board and departed.The gorgeous but old interior made me feel the prosperity in the past.

I heard the voice from a distance. 'I'm going to the dentist's office.' So, boats are essential to life of residents.

Many resistants went away from this island. So there are a lot of ruined things.

'I'm gonna close this shop soon.' The shopkeeper told to one of her guests.

3rd Story-Beyond the 'Marginal' <Kowada Village, Hamamatsu City Shizuoka Pref.> Kowada Station, JR Iida Line This station is famous for railway enthusiasts as 'the secluded station that can only be reached by train'. Only a few people use the station a day. Some of them go there just to see this station. And a mail person who only comes once a day.

'25 minutes to Takase Bridge' '1 hour to Shiosawa Village' Only two guides on the road greet me.

It's the 'main street' in front of the station. Some ruined buildings welcomed me.

I felt insecure going on the path because there are a lot of trees and rocks.

I arrived at Takase Bridge. 'Don't cross this bridge.' No one is going to challenge this, even if there is no warning. The bridge was ruined horribly.

'I shop once a week and have to catch a train for 2 stations, I can't buy and bring a lot since, you know, my age...' 'We used to get what we need from the other side of the river by the manually operated cable system, but my husband got sick and now does not have any strength to operate it.' 'My husband says, "I don't want to leave.", so we are still here. She calmly tells the moving story with a smile.