INDEX
Photographing the last seven years of Master Danshi Tachikawa’s life
Celeina: I believe you have photographed many comedians so far, but what was the most memorable one?
Tachibana: It was shooting the last 7 years of his life with Master Danshi Tachikawa. For the first two years, when I went to shoot him and greeted him, I barely got a glimpse of him. Even so, I took his picture each time and handed it to him,one day, he called me “Tachibana” for the first time by name. He told me, “You can do whatever you want. I’ll let you take pictures whenever you come.” After that, I was allowed to take pictures at anytime I went to.
Takano: It’s a wonderful, chic sense of style that is very much like Master Danshi.
Tachibana: Although I kept quiet, I was happy to think that he was indeed looking at my photographs.
Takano: I read your interview with Mr. Tachibana the other day, and I heard that you were careful not to stress the comedians during the photo shoot.
Tachibana: The Koza itself is for the audience, not for the purpose of taking pictures. The main actor is always comedians, and I don’t want anything to distract their concentration. It may be a difficult thing to say, but we “shoot as if we were not shooting”. I do not actively go out to shoot, but rather I shoot based on the situation and the mood of the comedian. Sometimes there are days when I don’t shoot.
Takano: It is amazing that there are days when you go to shoot and don’t shoot. I understand that you try to wear black clothes as much as possible when shooting.
Tachibana: I am often in the middle of the audience and the performers, so I can’t help but be in their sight. It may be an exaggeration to say that I try to eliminate their presence, but I am conscious of creating a situation where the performers are not bothered by me.
Celeina：That is exactly the love you have for the comedians.
Tachibana: As I mentioned earlier, I would have left the world of photography if I had not encountered the performing arts when I was troubled. I think I am a photographer who was saved by the performing arts, and I definitely do it with a sense of gratitude and love.
Takano: That is a wonderful attitude. I would like to hear more, but let’s interrupt one song here. I asked Mr. Tachibana to choose a song that he would like everyone to listen to together on the radio at this time. May I ask the reason for the song selection?
Tachibana: I have a group that I myself produce, and when the group ends with a talk by the performer, I often use this song to end the talk in a pleasant atmosphere, so I chose this song.“Freedom” by LOVE PSYCHEDELICO.
