Today is a national holiday in Japan. Respect for the Aged Day to be precise. So having taken lots of photos of elderly Japanese over the years, here’s a selection of shots to mark both the day, and this ever-growing, ever-resilient section of modern Japanese society.
Steve says
Those are great photos. I can see a lot of spirit and life in the faces, chronological age be damned.
Lee says
Thanks a lot. Yes, there really is. They’ve had long lives, but they still have a lot of life left in them.
Jenn says
Such beautiful photos. Love this set. They are life affirming and poignant…… Thank you! 🙂
Lee says
Thank you, and you are very welcome. Definitely mixed emotions with some of the photos. Especially so the people I have seen again. Or more specifically, haven’t seen again…
YTSL says
So many smiles. Thanks for brightening up my day.
Lee says
Some really lovely smiles as well eh? You are very welcome. Glad to hear they had a positive effect.
DavidT says
Awesome work. There’s so much warmth in these photos. I really hope I can live to be so old and happy! 🙂
Lee says
Thanks a lot. I’ve had the pleasure of photographing some genuinely lovely people. And yeah, me too. That would be very nice indeed!
Sander says
Wonderful shots!
Right now there’s a show on Dutch television about our country in the 1920’s and 1930’s, between both World Wars, mostly told by people that actually lived in that era as a kid and are now obviously around 100 years old. I would love to see something similar with those Japanese oldies and their experiences in the Taisho and early Showa-period. Reading history from a book or hearing it from someone who actually lived that history, it’s just not the same.
Lee says
Thank you very much!
Yes, the changes they have seen, and experiences they’ve had, must make for truly fascinating stories.
The lady in the 10th photo was 93 when I took it, and sitting in her bar we had the chance to talk to her a little about the past. As you’d expect, it made for a very interesting conversation to say the least.
cdilla says
A wonderful and very appropriate post for the day.
We sorely need a similar attitude in this country (UK). They way the elderly are treated here is horrendous.
I see kids being rude to old ladies even in my quiet village, and know people in areas where old folk dare not go out because they are regarded as easy targets for crime or fun.
Lee says
Thank you.
Japan is far from perfect in many ways, but thankfully that is not one of country’s problems. It really makes you wonder what’s gone wrong when behaviour like that is common, doesn’t it?