YOSHIKO MOGI’S ARTIST BOOK “MUSHI no TON” NOW AVAILABLE FOR ORDER

09/19/2023

We are now accepting orders for Yoshiko Mogi’s artist book “MUSHI no TON”.

Yoshiko Mogi participated in the “ATLAS LAB” photography workshop held by Reminders Photography Stronghold in 2020, where she started working on this project in earnest.

The term “MUSHI no TON” is found in the sangha (sangha) of the sutra and means “a desire whose beginning is no longer known”, and in the sangha it is taught that this should be repented of. We,the children in the past have been hurt by their father’s beginning-less greed and have lived at a distance for a long time. However, the inerrant covetousness continues to exist unchanged in the father who has grown old and ill. There was a certain power mixed into the father’s image that was driven by it. As if attracted by this, the artist began taking photographs of her father, and eventually became aware that herself, like her father, also had a beginning-less greed inside her.

Reminders Photography Stronghold will hold an exhibition related to this work ‘MUSHI no TON’ which will run from 23rd to 31st of December 2023.
We look forward to welcoming you at the gallery as well.

“MUSHI no TON”
I did not like my father. However, his personality changed after he was diagnosed with Parkinson’ s disease. I gradually started to develop a sense of intimacy towards him. He used to be the one who was always putting himself and his idealism first, often neglecting the family. He has now lost control over his body and is struggling like some unknown creature, with erratic body movements. I noticed that I have started to look at him in a new light, instead of focusing on the feeling of disgust I used to have.
I decided to ask myself, “What does my father mean to me?” I then started to communicate with him, looking at him like some wildlife creature through the lens.

My father has never stopped farming, even after he was diagnosed with Parkinson’ s disease. I know that he secretly takes an excessive amount of medicine to keep himself stable on days when his condition worsens. Taking so much medicine changes his facial expression, makes his tongue sharp, and causes him to perform strange body movements. By looking at his movements, I almost feel like I have just stumbled upon a strange unknown creature. I think it would be disturbing for little children to see him like that. However, although he is disturbing, his greedy and selfish movements are filled with a human energy, at least in my eyes. And I am simply drawn to that energy.

As I began to make this book, I realized that my father was not the only one with such “MUSHI no TON” which means interminable greed , as I also began to recognize it within myself. I can now sympathize with my father, as he was probably following the common sense of his time. He was conflicted but simply accepting what was expected of him and following that path, just like all the other guys who were around at the time. Although the darkness between me and my　father may never go away, I can at least dilute the poison in myself by gaining deeper understanding about him and myself.

Yoshiko Mogi

Yoshiko Mogi 「MUSHI no TON」
Edition: 65 (Signed)
216 pages
Size: 166mm x 230mm x 24mm
Weight: app. 457g
Language: Japanese & English
Photography, editing, printing, binding design: Yoshiko Mogi
Concept, storyline, art direction: Yumi Goto, Reminders Photography Stronghold
This project was undertaken in the 2020 ATLAS LAB workshop at Reminders Photography Stronghold with Yumi Goto and Loulou d’Aki. The concept, storyline, and art direction were then developed and completed with Yumi Goto at Reminders Photography Stronghold.

Your order will be completed once we have confirmation of the transfer of payment.
If we are unable to confirm the transfer of payment without notice, your order will be automatically canceled.
We will ship the book once the production is completed.
Please note that you may have to wait 1-2 months for production and shipping.
We will deliver your order by courier service. In addition, please note, there will be no notification of shipment.
If you wish to place an order, please complete the form below.
Please be sure to check the shipping address category before completing the PAYPAL checkout. Please do not select ASIA for China, Korea, or Taiwan. Please select ASIA for all countries except China, Korea, and Taiwan.

Your order will be completed once we have confirmation of the transfer of payment.
We will ship the book once the production is completed.
Please allow 1 to 2 months for the production period. Thank you in advance for your understanding.
Please check this list before placing your order, as your shipment will be delayed if the country you are shipping to is on the list.
International mail service availability chart

In case Paypal doesn’t work well or, any inquiries about a photobook, and for orders of two or more books, please email us at photobook@reminders-project.org.

Shipping costs vary depending on the shipping location due to postal conditions. Please be sure to check your paypal options before checking out.