On September 18th and 19th, Osannomiya Hie Shrine’s annual autumn festival was held in a significantly reduced manner to prevent the spread of COVID-19.
There was no large procession of mikoshi (portable shrines) this year, and each neighborhood mikoshi could not be displayed. Only representatives from each locality were allowed to privately participate in the ceremony at the shrine.
Our photographers at the DARKROOM and CREW by KPS have been taking pictures of this festival throughout the years. To adjust to the changes made this year, we committed to a different approach by taking portraits of every one of the participants in this year’s festival.
Even though we were worried about the weather, we decided to bring two large strobe lights and background paper to take the photos of some 60 participants using both film and digital cameras.
The faces of these community leaders reflected the same grit and resolve as always. The strength of the Yokohama community in the face of COVID-19 was on full display.