I grew up in Japan and moved to the United States at the age of 26. When I was 8 years old, I was so obsessed with a late-night movie program on TV which showed old European movies like Fellini movies. Unfamiliar scenes in Europe in the movies made me feel so familiar as if I had once lived in those scenes.  Thirty-five years later, I felt the same sensation when I saw MarchFourth Marching Band performing on Mississippi Avenue in Portland, Oregon. This is a part of my journey to fill missing puzzles in my life by photographing them.

 
Motoya

In Japan Sakura (a cherry blossom) symbolizes the most beautiful way of life. Life is short. Live fully and leave the world without any hesitation like a cherry blossom.  As a Japanese and a martial artist, a cherry blossom has been an inspiration to my life. "Sakura Sakura" is a collection of photographs which explore human relationship with cherry blossoms.

Motoya