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If you're the type to care about saving the environment or feeding the homeless, this photo exhibition may just pique your interest. For a limited time only, you can catch the collection 'Shinjuku Cardboard Village: The Photographs of Naoko Sakokawa 1996-1998', a poignant look into an essential part of Tokyo history and its relationship to homelessness.
This hidden gem takes place on the fourth floor of espace Á L. L., an intimate, blink-and-you’ll-miss-it space in Kichijoji. As the exhibition's name suggests, the photos were taken by Naoko Sakokawa during the existence of 'Shinjuku Cardboard Village', a 470sqm enclave of cardboard living quarters that housed upwards of 200 individuals in the West Exit of Shinjuku Station from January 1996 to February 1998.
The bursting of Japan's economic bubble in the early '90s led to mass unemployment, ultimately leading to a community of homeless individuals occupying the station. Sakokawa, assistant manager at nearby café Berg at the time, visited the site daily, becoming friends with the locals and documenting their experiences through her poignant photographs. In addition to her works, the exhibition also features short bios and quotes from some of the villagers, plus news articles and other documents from that time.
Time Out tip: If you can't read Japanese fluently, either bring someone who can or make use of a translation app for the best viewing experience.
'Shinjuku Cardboard Village: The Photographs of Naoko Sakokawa 1996-1998' is ultimately a tale of solidarity and hope in the face of uncertainty. The village was officially dismantled on February 7 1998 due to a number of factors from fires to evictions to voluntary re-location. Nevertheless, the legacy of the residents' perseverance hasn't been forgotten.
The exhibition is free of charge and takes place Thursdays through Sundays from January 22 to February 8, 12noon-5pm. If you'd like to take Sakokawa's work home with you, purchase a book of photos for ¥2,000.
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