BRUCE OSBORN is a photographer and visual artist who has been working in Tokyo, JAPAN for the past 30 years. During an illustrious carreer as a commercial photograper he has also published a number of successful photo essay books and most recently, featured in a documentary that portrays his intimate relationship with Japanese family cultural values: OYAKO ~Present to Future~.
These web pages offer a small sample of photographic and visual works accomplished during his career.
In order to fully appreciate the photos and video on this site you will need to have Javascript enabled and a modern web-browser such as Chrome, Safari, or Firefox.
私たちひとりひとりの心に潜む「ふるさと」という記憶の深い場所での大切なものたちとのつながりを「写真」を通して掘り起こし、その思いを根付かせ、育み、伝えていく「ふるさと写真の日」プロジェクト。その最初の起点とした場所は福島でした。
He was a famous novelist, who was also renown for his short temper and outspokenness.
In 1988, I had the opportunity to photograph him with his daughter. Typically, my Oyako photo sessions start off fun and active. I think it helps the subjects relax and also creates a rhythm to the shoot. However, partway into this session, Nozaka grumbled, “I just want to take a formal portrait with my daughter”. Without showing even the faintest hint of a smile the whole time, I was under the impression that he was in a bad mood that day. Later I found I was quite mistaken when I read his interview.
Nozaka said he was very nervous about taking the photograph with his daughter. It was such an important occasion that he had even stopped drinking alcohol the week prior to shoot. As the expression goes, “You can’t judge a book by its cover”: hidden below that gruff exterior, beat the heart of a father who loved his daughter.
Rest in peace Akiyuki Nozaka, I will never forget you.
長年、親子写真を撮り続けて来たブルース・オズボーンにとって、又一人、懐かしい人が逝ってしまった。
野坂昭如さんとお嬢様の写真を撮影したのは、1988年のこと。撮影日の1週間前から、毎朝のように野坂さんから電話があった。
「着るものはタキシードでいいですか？」とか、「撮影時間のどのくらい前に行けばいいですか？」とか・・・が、電話をかけてきた理由だった。撮影当日、スタジオに現れた野坂さんは、オズボーンに「よろしくお願いします」と一言。無口で、タキシードについた糸くずをテープを使ってとっていた。撮影中も、直立不動で、会話はほとんど無かったと記憶している。「機嫌が悪いのかな？？？」と心配しながら、撮影は終了した。後日、雑誌に、「ブルース・オズボーンに親子で撮影をしてもらった。だいじな娘との写真を撮ってもらうにあたり、1週間、好きなお酒を飲まないで過ごした」と書いてあった。
真っすぐに生きてきたから、いろいろな衝突もあったが、心の奥に秘めた深い愛が、写真に現れている。
ご冥福を祈ります。
I will be taking Oyako photos on November 14th for an event organized by Shonan Style Magazine, Oyako Day, and Actus at Terrace Mall Shonan.
The deadline for registration is Oct. 15.
湘南のライフスタイルを紹介する雑誌「湘南スタイル」は、今年で5回目となる《湘南スタイル「親子の日」》撮影会の参加者を募集中です。参加希望者は、10月15日必着で、お申込みを・・・
撮影場所は「親子の日」を応援してこの企画に協賛をして下さっている辻堂ファッションモール内にあるACTUS辻堂店脇。招待者決定後に、詳細はお知らせします。撮影日は11月14日です。
申込みの送付先は〠158-0096 東京都世田谷区玉川台2-13-2 株式会社枻出版社《湘南スタイル「親子の日」》係です。
The 2015 Oyako Taisho Award Winners, Ayaka and Makoto Hirahara holding their award. This is the 3rd consecutive year that they were voted number one in the Oyako Taisho Contest.
The information and content is available only in Japanese Language
今夜の『美・日本写真』は、写真家のブルース・オズボーンさんとプロデューサーの井上佳子さんをお迎えします。今回は、「親子の日」の発起人であるブルースさんにお話をお聞きしていきます。最初に親子写真を撮るきっかけとなったパンクロックバンド「アナーキー」のボーカル仲野さん親子についてや震災後３ヶ月目に写真家４人で東北の支援に行かれた時のお話など伺いました。またギャラリーに飾る写真も『親子』をテーマに撮影当時のエピソードとともにご紹介して頂きました。どうぞ、お楽しみに!!
今夜の『美・日本写真』は、 先週に引き続き写真家のブルース・オズボーンさんとプロデューサーの井上佳子さんをお迎えします。 後半の今回は、1980年に来日したきっかけからロサンゼルスと東京での仕事の違い、 日本で写真展を開催した時のお話をお聞きしました。 また本日ギャラリーに飾るブルースさんの作品を見ながら撮影当時のエピソードもご紹介して頂きました。 どうぞ、お楽しみに!!
Oyako is the Japanese word for parent and child. I started this series as a way of looking at Japanese culture and the changes from one generation to the next.
In the process of photographing thousands of Oyako, it has become my life long project and there is no end in sight.
In 2003, Bruce and Yoshiko Osborn created Oyako Day which is celebrated on the 4th Sunday of July.
In an age of mass consumerism, many things get discarded before their time. It is sad to be cast aside, so I took their photos before flying away. Bon Voyage, you will not be forgotten.
The deep wrinkles are a road map of a life that has been carved by the sun, waves, and sand. Like the lonely smile of someone who has lost her youthful luster, in its place resides a mature radiance that took a lifetime to perfect.
The 3.11 earthquake and tsunami in Fukushima destroyed homes, took love ones, and left many with nothing more than the clothes on their backs. I hope these family photos will serve as a reminder for them and to everyone how people and communities might support each other to overcome their difficulties and move forward.
The face of Tokyo is constantly changing. New buildings appear as fast as others are torn down. The city thrives on the latest fashion and technology while maintaining its own unique culture and traditions.
The Japanese archipelago is made up of 6,852 islands. From the northern areas around Hokkaido to the southern parts of Okinawa, each island has its own unique culture and diversity.
Panorama photos are still available on the old site please have a look at Panorama Gallery
Japanese youths were first photographed for the Teen Tokyo exhibit at Boston Children’s Museum. Twenty years later, I revisited several of the subjects to retake their photos and to find out how they are doing.
Posters and tear sheets from Print-related jobs.
Black and white portraits revealing character via light and shadow.
Variety of color photos from many categories.
Commercial and Music clips and Video compositions. These video pieces have appeared during Live concerts and events, as TV Commercials and on Large-Screen Display boards in Japan.
Bruce does Oyako photo sessions for various groups and organizations. For information on scheduling a photo session, contact Ozone Inc.
Photos are exhibited in museums, galleries, and public places.
See the blog for the latest news.
Bruce does talk shows and other events to introduce his Oyako project. Check the blog for the latest news. Groups interested in requesting a talk show, contact Ozone Inc. see Pechakucha 20 x 20
Bruce has photography workshop for schools and other organizations.
For information about scheduling a workshop, contact Ozone Inc.
Oyako Day was established in 2003 as a moment to think about the special bond that exist between every parent and child. It is celebrated on the 4th Sunday of July and on that day, 100 groups of parents and children are invited to the studio to have their photos taken by Bruce.
To learn more about Oyako Day and its activities, visit the Oyako website.
-- Bruce & Yoshiko Osborn (originators of Oyako Day)
Oyako Interview is an ongoing column in Mainichi Newspaper that features Bruce’s portraits of well known parents and children.
NHK World Lounge did a report on 2014 Oyako Day.
The I-Tie project was focused on Jr. and Senior High School students living in areas affected by the 3.11 tsunami. During a series of one-day workshops, students were lent cameras to take photos and upload the images onto the I-Tie website. Later, the photos were selected and shown in the I Tie exhibition.
For more information, visit the I-Tie website.
-- Bruce & Yoshiko Osborn (originators of I-Tie)
Documentary film about Japanese parents and children featuring a former American punk photographer’s assimilation into their society, interviews with cultural spokespeople, post-disaster visits to Tohoku, and a short drama featuring real-life people.
Full Film Information at Oyako Movie Home Page
Bruce Osborn has been based in Tokyo for the past 3 decades. His work has appeared in numerous publications and advertisements. He has received many professional awards and recognitions, published photo books, and staged major exhibitions featuring his photography. The most extensive collection is the photo series on Japanese Parents and Children, known as OYAKO.
In 2003, Bruce and his wife created the Oyako Day social action and in 2014, a documentary film was produced, featuring Bruce, and the OYAKO Project.
