A quest for isle culture

Japanese-ness on contact points

KINO Seido's works are predicated on the notion that occurrences transpire at the "contact points" between individuals, objects, locations, time, and ideas. It is the interaction among these elements that provides us with awareness. He delves into the factors that shape Japanese culture, with a particular focus on how its residents confront the challenges the open/closed island Japan faces.

His oeuvre offers contact points.

Photobooks provide an avenue for connections with readers, while exhibitions offer a platform for sharing experiences with visitors. The objective of both is to extend the boundaries of documentary photography into a medium that can be perceived beyond the visual, with an emphasis on the emotive and the creative.

photobook "MOTHER"
　

Profile

KINO Seido was born in Nagoya, Japan in 1978. Influenced by his father, a baby boomer who worked at a local factory, he majored in ferrous metallurgy at Kyoto University's Faculty of Engineering. At the time, he believed that the power of natural science was the only key to solving society's problems. He developed an interest in the concept of "manufacturing", which encompasses not only the tangible product but also the underlying meanings associated with the actions and processes involved. This distinction is analogous to the difference between the connotations of photographs and "photography".
During his academic pursuits, he took a yearlong sabbatical from his studies to travel in Eurasia with a camera. Upon his return to Japan, he resumed his research at the university but was occasionally able to observe the local population engaged in agricultural activities in the Satoyama region of Kyoto. This experience led him to recognize the distinctive appeal of Japan as a subject for photography and prompted him to pursue a career in the field, ultimately leading to his decision to leave graduate school, and relocated to Tokyo as a photographer.
He is currently based in Kyoto.

Awards & Nominations

2025
Sony World Photography Awards (UK)　Landscape 1st Place
2025
SWPA Japan Professional Award (UK)　
shortlist
2025
The 49th Ina Nobuo Award (JP)　
winner
2025
Hayashi Tadahiko Award (JP)　
finalist
2024
Critical Mass (US)　
TOP 50
2024
KG＋SELECT (JP)　
finalist
2024
Belfast Photo Festival (UK)　
shortlisted
2020
London International Creative Competition (UK)　HM
2020
Domon Ken Award (JP)　
finalist
2020
Hayashi Tadahiko Award (JP)　
finalist
2019
Critical Mass (US)　
finalist
2019
International Photography Awards (US)　
HM
2019
Le Prix de la Photographie de Paris (FR)　
HM
2018
International Center of Photography (US)　
library collection
2018
Domon Ken Award (JP)　
finalist
2018
Hayashi Tadahiko Award (JP)　
finalist
2018
The Japan Book Design Award (JP)　
accepted
2017
Lucie Photo Book Prize (US)　
finalist
2016
FOTO PREMIO (JP)　
grand prix
2009
International Photography Awards (US)　
HM

Publications

2024
"x elements かぜとつちと"
AKAAKA Art Publishing Inc.
2019
"MOTHER"
AKAAKA Art Publishing Inc.
2017
"Touch the forest, touched by the forest."
AKAAKA Art Publishing Inc.

Exhibitions

2025
"SWPA EXHIBITION 2025"
SOMERSET HOUSE (UK)
2025
"x elements / Earth"
Nikon Salon
2025
"The Strata of Time II"
TOKYO BRIGHT GALLERY
2025
"Where Have We Been? Where Are We Going?"
ATLANTA PHOTOGRAPHY GROUP GALLERY (US)
2024
"x elements / Earth"
Nikon Salon
2024
"x elements / Faith"
Okuizumo vineyard
2024
"x elements / Growth"
KG+ SELECT
2022
"The Strata of Time"
Tokyo Documentary Photo
2020
"Hands to a Mass"
Nikon Plaza Nagoya
2019
"MOTHER"
Canon Gallery Osaka
2019
"Hands to a Mass"
Nikon Plaza Ginza
2019
"MOTHER"
Canon Gallery Ginza
2017
"Touch the forest, touched by the forest."
Ginza Nikon Salon
2017
"Touch the forest, touched by the forest."
Yokohama Jack
2016
"Touch the forest, touched by the forest."
KonicaMinolta Plaza
2005
"Kamogawa couples"
neutron
2000
"zero 0"
ART-BOX Amfaire

Media

2025
Sha Shin Magazine vol.7
2025
DESIGN NO HIKIDASHI 54
2024
Fraction Magazine Issue 179
2024
CAPA November
2024
artscape
2024
Newsweek Japan
2024
local newspapers via Kyodo News
2024
artscape
2024
San'in Chuo Shimpo newspaper
2024
Shimane Nichinichi newspaper
2022
CAPA April
2020
local newspapers via Kyodo News
2019
local newspapers via Kyodo News
2019
Sanyo newspaper
2019
Asahi Camera
2019
Canon Photo Circle
2019
CAPA September
2019
web cameraman
2018
Japan Photo Almanac
2018
Meisou Shashinkan
2017
Dokushojin
2017
artscape
2016
CAPA June
2015
Kaze no Tabibito Vol.49
2014
DAYS JAPAN Vol.12 No.1

Talk events

2025
The Strata of Time II
2024
KG＋Symposium
2024
KG＋MEETING POINT
2024
Connecting Travelers and Locals
2019
High growth and Happiness theory
2019
Iron for passing on the techniques
2018
Photographer’s Talk Live #11
2018
AKAAKA Talks
2017
PechaKucha Night Tokyo vol.150
2005
Shimamoto Cultural Exchange Association