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In November 2011,
I met this man.
He is 18 years old, a firefighter, and came to Tokyo from Kyoto.
"It's super hot in the fire, hard to breathe, and it's not easy.
With help from my superiors,
I'm finally getting the hang of things, but I'm still inexperienced."
When I came out of the fire, I realized that I really have to appreciate life."
These words, which came from someone who saves lives, are very moving.
My job is to go out on the streets and take pictures of those who interest me.
It's my job to connect a person's fashion with the life story lying beneath.
I have a website called Style from Tokyo, which is updated daily.
For the photo shooting itself, I use this survey questionnaire.
These are some examples of what I get people to write:
"What are you wearing now?" "What are your favorite brands?"
"What do you want?" "What do you want to do in the future?"
I have them write these kinds of things.
As of today -- I wonder if you can see this? --
I've photographed 4,567 people.
Although I have been taking photos of people all over the world,
I base myself primarily in Harajuku the center of Tokyo's street fashion.
As you may know, this place is unique in style, like there's mod and gyaru.
There's also Gothic Lolita, preppy, hippie, and rock, etc.
Many different kinds of fashion gather on this street.
But why do so many people come here?
It's because here there's no hierarchy.
This street does not judge which is good and which is bad.
It doesn't judge what's superior and what's not.
No one would point at others who are different from themselves.
They simply wouldn't interfere.
When looked at through the filter of fashion,
I think that this is the most equal place in the world.
I feel that this place called Harajuku is a little independent
from the rest of the world.
With the invention of the Internet, information about collections from
New York, Milan, London, and Paris
are available immediately all around the world.
In terms of the difference in one's knowledge about trends,
we're in an era where geographic and time differences no longer exist.
Information coming from top brand names and designers becomes available instantly.
I also go to fashion shows, taking photos with this camera.
At the beginning it's very exciting. I always have the adrenaline rush,
even if I don't sleep for three days, I can still keep taking pictures.
It's refreshing to be at the forefront of trends.
But, after continuing taking pictures for several days,
the excitement would suddenly begin to wear off at a very fast pace.
It's because everyone is creating the latest fashion; in the same place,
following the same directions.
Everyone ends up being the same.
Everything is so beautiful and executed perfectly but --
How should I put it? -- I become "full."
When the fashion weeks are over, I return to Harajuku.
And, time after time I get really amazed, there are trends that only exist there.
The creators of these trends are the people of Harajuku themselves.
The trends don't come from the top, but instead are created from the depth.
This really amazes me.
You could even say that Harajuku is the Galapagos Islands of the fashion world.
This coming July, just two months from now
my website "Style from Tokyo" will be five years old.
I've traveled to many different places
around the world and photographed many different people.
I've talked about fashion with many different people.
In doing so, my views on fashion and individuality have changed.
Individuality is created by being conscious of other people.
For example, wanting to be different and remain distinct from others.
The desire to place a distance between yourself and others.
In other words you're shaping yourself by drawing attention to how you're different.
That is how I think individuality is usually defined.
When we think of fashion, it's impossible to separate individuality from it, like
the glances from other people, the sense of distance between oneself and others.
The reason why some people aren't into fashion, don't follow the trends as others
or just aren't interested, I think it's because they feel burdened
by the need to worry about what others think about them,
and having to adjust one's distance from others, constantly.
It causes them discomfort.
Actually, this is the first step in fashion.
The more you continue to question fashion,
the people with whom you're comparing will change.
The ultimate person you're comparing yourself with is --
in fact, none other than yourself.
I don't want to be the same person I was yesterday.
I want to surpass my current self.
I want to re-evaluate myself in order to evolve and improve.
In this frame of mind, fashion is something that gradually changes.
In other words, fashion is something
that polishes and cultivates your own desire for improvement.
I would like to re-define individuality here.
Individuality is not cultivated by distancing yourself from others.
Rather, it's created through the process of self improvement.
Fashion is not only something you wear on the outside,
it's cultivated by constant self-evaluation,
the desire for self-improvement.
It's something you use to polish and bring out your inner self.
Tokyo, Harajuku Street.
If you ever want to try something new, whether it's related to fashion or not --
A new business, for example;
or maybe you want to tell someone that you like them,
but don't have the courage.
When you have these thoughts, you should definitely come to this street.
This street is filled with people who are having fun using the tool of fashion
to improve themselves.
They're people free from the views of strangers,
having fun delving deep into themselves.
Looking at them will hopefully light a fire within you,
leading you to a better you.
I'll probably be somewhere on this street, walking with this camera in hand.
I look forward to meeting you here sometime in the near future.
If I call out to you, please allow me to take your picture.
Thank you very much.
(Applause)