Interviewing How Passion Became an Artistic Voice for Toran Hojo

I would first like to speak about "49 Days." This work was created in an attempt to capture the atmosphere that exists between life and death. Rather than depicting loss directly, I wanted to express the silence that remains afterwards.

In Japan, red spider lilies are often seen as flowers that symbolise the boundary between life and death. I am deeply grateful that both the meaning behind the flowers and the quiet atmosphere of the photograph were able to resonate with people beyond my own culture.

Next, I would like to speak about "Original Sin." This work was born from a simple desire: to capture the very first sin humanity committed. It reflects innocent curiosity reaching toward something forbidden, without fully understanding the danger hidden within it.

Like "49 Days," this work also explores the theme of boundaries — the space between innocence and corruption, before the fall and after it. Receiving these awards was a truly significant experience for me.

The fact that the joy I have always felt while pressing the shutter led me to such an honourable recognition gave me confidence that my feelings and artistic path were genuine. Above all, I was deeply moved that my work was able to cross the ocean and emotionally connect with people around the world.

When selecting photographs for competitions, I always choose works that leave a lingering feeling after they are viewed. I tend to select photographs where the atmosphere and emotional air of the image can be felt beyond the frame. I also often choose different works depending on whether the competition is domestic or international.

The reason I first picked up a camera was very simple. I wanted to photograph my favourite Dragon Ball figures in a way that felt cool and personal to me. I wanted to capture them through my own sense of atmosphere and visual world. Through that experience, I discovered light and the emotional power of atmosphere.

My favourite genre of photography is fine art portraiture. I am drawn to it because it allows me to capture the boundary between reality and fantasy, as well as the quiet atmosphere of beautiful darkness. Through fine art portraiture, I can express emotions, silence, and the invisible tension that exists within human beings.

I mainly use a Nikon Df together with old Nikkor lenses. What attracts me most to the Nikon Df is the ability to control everything manually by myself. I feel that it is a camera especially suited to capturing atmosphere and silence.

I also love the softness and imperfect beauty of old lenses. For my work, they allow me to express quiet emotions, atmosphere, and stillness in a very natural way.

I would be happy if people could feel a lingering emotion after looking at my work. Feelings such as loneliness, beauty, and emotions that cannot be fully explained in words. Rather than giving clear answers, I hope my photographs quietly remain in someone's heart like a lingering atmosphere.

The most important thing I focused on while creating these works was finding the balance between beauty and unease. That balance was also the most difficult part. What I always try to protect in my photography is the atmosphere within the image.

The themes I explored this time were unsettling, yet beautiful. Capturing beauty while still preserving the emotional temperature, humidity, and quiet tension within the photograph was the greatest challenge for me.

The moments that inspire me the most are when I sense something slightly strange within everyday life. The atmosphere of loneliness, or moments when human emotions quietly appear and disappear, often inspire me. I am deeply drawn to unsettling beauty, and I am always searching for it within ordinary scenes and emotions.

There are several artists and works that have deeply influenced my artistic vision. One of them is Dragon Ball, especially the way its characters continue to grow while enjoying the process of struggle and training.

Another major influence is the work of Kazuya Minekura. I have been deeply inspired by the beauty that exists within darkness in her illustrations. Through my own photography, I also hope to express fragility, danger, and beauty in a similar emotional way.

Dragon Ball is the origin of my creative journey. The positivity of its characters and their determination to keep moving forward continue to inspire me, and those feelings remain with me every time I press the shutter.

First of all, I would encourage photographers not to compare themselves too much to others, and instead to enjoy pressing the shutter. I also felt fear and anxiety when I first decided to enter international competitions.

I think stepping into the world stage is something that feels frightening for many people at first. That is exactly why I believe it is important to continue moving forward without constantly comparing yourself to others.

By doing so, I was able to challenge myself and enter international competitions as well. Sharing photographs that were created with genuine joy is far more exciting and rewarding than I ever imagined.

Just as I once did, I think many people begin photography without much technical knowledge. But first of all, I would encourage them to photograph the things they truly love. Simply trying and continuing to take photographs is, in my opinion, the most important thing.

Rather than comparing yourself to others, I hope people will freely photograph what they love. Just as photographing figures brought me joy, I believe the things you love will eventually teach you something important.

I work together with a retoucher whom I deeply trust. What I value most during post-processing is preserving the atmosphere that already exists within the photograph. Rather than creating something artificial, I see retouching as a way of quietly refining the emotional air, light, and silence within the image. I always try to protect the lingering feeling and quiet tension that existed at the moment I pressed the shutter.

I believe the advancement of Al and digital technology is something truly fascinating and valuable. However, even as technology evolves, I believe human emotion will always remain within photography.

To me, photographs contain the feelings, atmosphere, and presence of the person behind the camera. That is why I value the moment of pressing the shutter so deeply. I am more drawn to lingering emotions than to technical perfection. I want to continue cherishing the imperfect beauty that feels uniquely human.

I would like to photograph a solitary figure standing quietly among flowers in full bloom. I am drawn to the strange contrast between beauty and loneliness that exists within that scene.

Flowers often symbolise life and beauty, yet I find myself fascinated by the quiet sense of isolation that can exist within something so vibrant. I want to continue creating photographs that capture unsettling beauty, silence, and emotional atmosphere within seemingly beautiful worlds.