建前 (Tatemae)

A man is looking the city from the Hall terrace.

Tokyo street in Harajuku neighborhood, a fashionable shopping area.

From a bridge in Shinjuku main street.

Salary men became “honne” mood when they finish daily job.

Shibuya neighborhood.

“Reigi” (etiquette) is a concept that describes the formal behavior in social events. It’s deeply rooted in old traditions. A part of these traditions and an special way to understand life came to our days through martial arts. I was honored of been invited to the Nihombashi Dojo, where the Daito-ryu Aikijujutsu martial art is teached. In the photo Shihan Masayuki Kondo is talking to his students after a class.

Tokyo street in Shinjuku neighborhood.

Roppongi neighborhood, one of the new areas that is in expansion.

A group of friends laughing loudly after carriing a “Mikoshi” (Shinto shrine) in a sintoism celebration.

Sugamo neighborhood is not one of the most visited places in Tokyo, but is an area where older people do the shopping. You can feel the flavor of the Japanese 60’s and 70’s.

( Click any picture to enlarge and scroll)                                           

The concept “tatemae” (建前, “built in front”), describes the behavior and opinions  a person  displays in public.

In contrast with this, the word “hon’ne”(本音, “true sound”)  describes a person’s true feelings and desires.

In many cases tatemae leads to outright telling of lies in order to avoid exposing the true inward feelings, because the true feelings could lead to break the “wa” (social harmony), wich is the main point in japanese society.

The honne–tatemae divide is considered by some to be of paramount importance in Japanese culture.

This serie was taken in September 2017 in Tokyo. I tried to reflect the duality of the Japanese social behavior, which amazed me.

I use silohuettes as a methaphor of the dark side of each person and reflections in order to highlight the duality between both concepts (Honne and Tatemae) itself.