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 Place1st Place (Professional, Landscape)

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. (JP)

2019

"MOTHER"
AKAAKA Art Publishing Inc. (JP)

2017

"Touch the forest, touched by the forest."

AKAAKA Art Publishing Inc. (JP)

Solo Exhibitions

2025

"x elements"
Sony Imaging Gallery Ginza (JP)

2025

"x elements / Earth"
Nikon Salon (JP)

2025

"The Strata of Time II"
Tokyo Bright Gallery (JP)

2024

"x elements / Earth"
Nikon Salon (JP)

2024

"x elements / Faith"
Okuizumo vineyard (JP)

2020

"Hands to a Mass"
Nikon Plaza Nagoya (JP)

2019

"MOTHER"
Canon Gallery Osaka (JP)

2019

"Hands to a Mass"
Nikon Plaza Ginza (JP)

2019

"MOTHER"
Canon Gallery Ginza (JP)

2017

"Touch the forest, touched by the forest."

Ginza Nikon Salon (JP)

2017

"Touch the forest, touched by the forest."

Yokohama Jack (JP)

2016

"Touch the forest, touched by the forest."

KonicaMinolta Plaza (JP)

2005

"Kamogawa couples"
neutron (JP)

Group Exhibitions

2025

SWPA 2025 Exhibition
Willy-Brandt-Haus (DE)

2025

SWPA 2025 Exhibition
Nodeul Island Gallery (KR)

2025

SWPA 2025 Exhibition
Salon de la Photo (FR)

2025

SWPA 2025 Exhibition
FOTOFEST Hawke's Bay (NZ)

2025

SWPA 2025 Exhibition
Alpha Experience 2025 (MY)

2025

SWPA 2025 Exhibition
Megapixel Store (CZ)

2025

SWPA 2025 Exhibition
Museo Diocesano Carlo Maria Martini (IT)

2025

SWPA 2025 Exhibition
Sony Imaging Gallery Ginza (JP)

2025

SWPA EXHIBITION 2025
Somerset House (UK)

2025

Where Have We Been? Where Are We Going?
Atlanta Photography Group Gallery (US)

2024

KG＋SELECT "x elements / Growth"
HorikawaOike Gallery (JP)

2022

Tokyo Documentary Photo "The Strata of Time"
Kichijoji Gallery (JP)

2018

The visible, the invisible
Gallery Karen (JP)

2016

FOTO PREMIO Exhibition

KonicaMinolta Plaza (JP)

2000

zero 0
ART-BOX Amfaire (JP)

Media & Contributions

2025

Utonai Vol.447 (JP)

2025

nikkor club journal 282 (JP)

2025

FRAMES Photography Podcast (US)

2025

San'in Chuo Shimpo newspaper (JP)

2025

Keidanren Journal August (JP)

2025

Sha Shin Magazine vol.7 (JP)

2025

2B Channel (JP)

2025

DESIGN NO HIKIDASHI 54 (JP)

2024

Fraction Magazine Issue 179 (US)

2024

CAPA November (JP)

2024

artscape (JP)

2024

Newsweek Japan (JP)

2024

local newspapers via Kyodo News (JP)

2024

artscape (JP)

2024

San'in Chuo Shimpo newspaper (JP)

2024

Shimane Nichinichi newspaper (JP)

2024

Utonai Vol.432 (JP)

2022

CAPA April (JP)

2021

Uenae Vol.400 (JP)

2020

local newspapers via Kyodo News (JP)

2020

Uenae Vol.387 (JP)

2019

local newspapers via Kyodo News (JP)

2019

Sanyo newspaper (JP)

2019

Asahi Camera (JP)

2019

Canon Photo Circle (JP)

2019

CAPA September (JP)

2019

web cameraman (JP)

2018

Japan Photo Almanac (JP)

2018

Meisou Shashinkan (JP)

2018

Seiwa Shoten mail magazine (JP)

2018

Uenae Vol.367 (JP)

2017

Dokushojin (JP)

2017

artscape (JP)

2017

Uenae Vol.358 (JP)

2017

Uenae Vol.357 (JP)

2017

Uenae Vol.356 (JP)

2017

Uenae Vol.355 (JP)

2017

Uenae Vol.354 (JP)

2017

Uenae Vol.353 (JP)

2016

CAPA June (JP)

2015

Kaze no Tabibito Vol.49 (JP)

2014

DAYS JAPAN Vol.12 No.1 (JP)

Talks & Events

2025

Daegu Photo Biennale photobook exhibition (KR)

2025

LONG SEASON PHOTOGRAPHERS SLIDESHOW (JP)

2025

Yuyake Kyoto Juku (JP)

2025

An evening of pairing w/ photobook (JP)

2025

The Strata of Time II (JP)

2024

KG＋Symposium (JP)

2024

KG＋MEETING POINT (JP)

2024

Connecting Travelers and Locals (JP)

2022

AKAAKA, books, photographs -Sprouting where we are- (JP)

2019

High growth and Happiness theory (JP)

2019

Iron for passing on the techniques (JP)

2018

Photographer’s Talk Live #11 (JP)

2018

AKAAKA Talks (JP)

2017

AKAAKA, books, photographs -Portrait Scenery- (JP)

2017

PechaKucha Night Tokyo vol.150 (JP)

2005

Shimamoto Cultural Exchange Assoc. (JP)