Last summer, Feng Li was visiting Tokyo for the first time, having been invited by PLACE M Gallery to present an exhibition of his photographs themed around animals. It was an exciting opportunity for the Chinese photographer, who had been a long-time admirer of photography from the city.
“The street I could see from my hotel window appears in [legendary Japanese photographer] Daido Moriyama’s photos,” he recalls. “And walking around Tokyo, everywhere seems to be familiar in some photography – which is very pleasant, but also a little frustrating, as if you have found a treasure but it has been dug up countless times.”
Staying in the city for three weeks, he wanted to make the most of his time there, and spent most his days walking around the city armed with his camera, taking hundreds of pictures a day. He even had the chance to meet the iconic photographer. “I had the pleasure of visiting Daido Moriyama’s studio and never thought I would one day be so close to him,” Feng says. “Many years ago I saw a documentary of Moriyama taking pictures on the streets of Tokyo, and I was moved by his spirit, and then it was like meeting my idol. I couldn’t stop thinking about him walking around Tokyo with a camera.”
