🌐 WOMEN’S STORIES _ Tsuneko Sasamoto
By Amber Karlins,
The Heroine Collective
The Heroine Collective
Photojournalist
When
Tsuneko Sasamoto began her career as Japan’s first female photojournalist,
people were skeptical. They were convinced she wouldn’t succeed in such a
male-dominated industry, and they urged her to give up and focus on getting
married instead. Seven decades later, her impeccable work is a testament to her
immense talent and admirable work ethics.
Tsuneko Sasamoto began her career as Japan’s first female photojournalist,
people were skeptical. They were convinced she wouldn’t succeed in such a
male-dominated industry, and they urged her to give up and focus on getting
married instead. Seven decades later, her impeccable work is a testament to her
immense talent and admirable work ethics.
Tsuneko
was born in Tokyo in 1914. Her father was kimono dealer, but Tsuneko’s leanings
were always more artistic. As a child, she dreamed of growing up to be a writer
or a painter. She was in her mid-twenties before she began experimenting with
photography, a passion that began when a neighbour’s colleague asked if she’d
like to become a member of his photography organisation. Soon, she was working as
Japan’s first female photojournalist, capturing famous figures, major social
and political events, and the impact of our changing world on the people of
Japan.
was born in Tokyo in 1914. Her father was kimono dealer, but Tsuneko’s leanings
were always more artistic. As a child, she dreamed of growing up to be a writer
or a painter. She was in her mid-twenties before she began experimenting with
photography, a passion that began when a neighbour’s colleague asked if she’d
like to become a member of his photography organisation. Soon, she was working as
Japan’s first female photojournalist, capturing famous figures, major social
and political events, and the impact of our changing world on the people of
Japan.
Being a
photojournalist was no easy task, particularly in the 1940s. The cameras were
heavy, and the lack of an electronic flash meant that Tsuneko had to carry
individual flash bulbs for each and every shot she took. Because she was a
woman, she was required to wear heels and skirts to work, which made climbing
ladders (a skill that was often necessary to get the best angle for the shot)
quite challenging. On top of that, she often had to deal with sexist comments,
many of which were made by the men she was shooting. Her family urged her to
quit and to focus on getting married instead, but Tsuneko wouldn’t hear of it.
photojournalist was no easy task, particularly in the 1940s. The cameras were
heavy, and the lack of an electronic flash meant that Tsuneko had to carry
individual flash bulbs for each and every shot she took. Because she was a
woman, she was required to wear heels and skirts to work, which made climbing
ladders (a skill that was often necessary to get the best angle for the shot)
quite challenging. On top of that, she often had to deal with sexist comments,
many of which were made by the men she was shooting. Her family urged her to
quit and to focus on getting married instead, but Tsuneko wouldn’t hear of it.
I feel
compelled to face the world and let people know what I see.
For the
next seven decades, Tsuneko continued immortalising the changes taking place in
Japan, photographing everyone from artists to politicians and capturing
enduring images of important developments in her evolving country. In addition
to the work she was assigned, Tsuneko also began seeking out and setting up
shoots with women who inspired her. Photographing women who fought against the
oppression of gender discrimination and accomplished their goals and dreams,
despite having the odds stacked against them, became a passion project for
Tsuneko – so much so that she often financed the shoots herself. Recently, she
showcased these photos in an exhibition called 100 Years 100 Women.
You
should never become lazy. It’s essential to remain positive about your life and
never give up.
Now, in
2016, Tsuneko is 101 years old, and she’s showing absolutely no signs of
slowing down. In the last five years alone, she’s launched a major exhibition,
put out a book of her work, traveled to the Tohoku region of Japan to help
villages ravaged by the tsunami, and begun working on a series of photos
dedicated to friends she has lost. Last year, she broke her hand and both of
her legs, but even that wasn’t enough to stop her. Instead, she began attending
physical therapy three times a week to make sure she would be strong enough to
continue with the project.
2016, Tsuneko is 101 years old, and she’s showing absolutely no signs of
slowing down. In the last five years alone, she’s launched a major exhibition,
put out a book of her work, traveled to the Tohoku region of Japan to help
villages ravaged by the tsunami, and begun working on a series of photos
dedicated to friends she has lost. Last year, she broke her hand and both of
her legs, but even that wasn’t enough to stop her. Instead, she began attending
physical therapy three times a week to make sure she would be strong enough to
continue with the project.
Much like
the women who inspired her, Tsuneko is an unstoppable force, and just like the
women she so loves to photograph, she has successfully accomplished her goals
and fulfilled her dreams despite having the odds stacked against her. It is
this tenacity and dedication that makes Tsuneko – a woman who has dedicated her
long, full life to celebrating inspirational women – an inspiration to us
all.
the women who inspired her, Tsuneko is an unstoppable force, and just like the
women she so loves to photograph, she has successfully accomplished her goals
and fulfilled her dreams despite having the odds stacked against her. It is
this tenacity and dedication that makes Tsuneko – a woman who has dedicated her
long, full life to celebrating inspirational women – an inspiration to us
all.
