I always consider myself egotistical. I either love or hate, and there is no middle ground. I only do things I want to do. This is my style.
Despite this fact, I came upon ptarmigans up in the mountains, and I immediately fell in love. This was a one-way love affair from a human being to ptarmigans, so it was unattainable from the very beginning. After ten years of twisting and turning, I became a photographer who specializes in photographing ptarmigans.
Just by looking at them, I learned a lot about their surroundings and present state, their neighboring plants and animals that rejoice in the joie de vivre. There were people who expressed their fondness of ptarmigans and spend considerable time with them. On the other hand, there were those who were indifferent and even hurt these birds that I deeply love. Those people never reflect on what they did. As someone who has received so many gifts from ptarmigans, I think I am obligated to return their favor to me. “Humans can transform themselves through their encounters and absorbing their newly-gained knowledge.” – these words represent my prayers and wishes. By pursuing my own passion and becoming a photographer, I found opportunities to impart my knowledge of ptarmigans widely to others. Now, I hope a lot more people will learn about ptarmigans. At the same time, I think, if my photographs of ptarmigans can help people “transform themselves,” it would be a great reward to me as a creator of art.