Kaz Senju Paints a Delicate Portrait of Tokyo’s Diverse LGTBQ Community

Shinjuku Story is the tale of a Tokyo neighbourhood which, over the years, has had a liberating and emancipating social impact on the LGBTQ community. Published in 2018 by Kaz Senju, the second part of this photo series aims to ‘create a visual narrative of what it feels like bar hopping all night long in Ni-chome, with its intimate scenes and visuals, inside bars and privy to what is happening behind the door,’ the artist explains.

The Japanese photographer, who is now based in New York, undertook this work as part of his thesis at the International Center of Photography/Bard College, compiling both photographs and texts.

Witnessing the evolution of perceptions in Japanese Society

‘I grew up in the countryside of Japan and never met any other gay person during my high school years, so it was a real eye opener to visit Ni-chome and to meet a variety of LGBTQ people. It really changed how I view myself,’ explains Kaz Senju. The area has changed drastically since he began frequenting it 32 years ago, and is decidedly less underground, mirroring the way in which Japanese society’s perception of the LGBTQ community has also evolved.

Shinjuku Ni-chome is home to almost 300 bars where the owners, who are called mommas, play a major role for those who frequent these establishments. The photographs presented in the book describe these places, moments, and people. ‘Most of them are so small they only seat a few people. So many bars in such high density, each bar is specialised to its unique clientele. This project gave me the opportunity to meet bar owners in places beyond my regular haunts, including in lesbian bars, drag queen bars, and others. The LGBTQ community is very diverse in Japan, as it is anywhere,’ says the artist. 

Formed as an homage to the people that make these places what they are, this photo book has allowed Kaz Senj to express the importance of mommas in his life. ‘I was very confused about my sexuality growing up, and mommas introduced me to different types of people: successful doctors, artists, musicians, or just regular business people. Some became role models for me as I grew up.’

Kaz Senju hopes to soon be able to have a chance to edit volume 3, and to continue his ‘tribute to those who showed us a brighter side of life, and to offer a testimony to future generations.’

Shinjuku Story Volume 2 (2018), is a self-published book by Kaz Senju, available on his website.