The photographer had revealed the “secret” of her longevity, which was a glass of red wine in the evening and a piece of chocolate every day
Japan’s first female photojournalist, Tsuneko Sasamoto (Tsuneko Sasamoto), who captured with her lens the life of citizens during the country’s turbulent Showa era, passed away 2 weeks before celebrating her 108th birthday.
Sasamoto died just days old on Aug. 15 in the seaside town of Kamakura, south of Tokyo, the Japan Society of Professional Photographers, of which Sasamoto was an honorary member, confirmed to CNN.
Born in Tokyo in 1914, she studied illustration and drawing. In the interview she secured after her graduation with the head of the Japan Photography Library, Kenichi Hayashi, he asked her if she wanted to be the country’s first female photojournalist. According to her official biography by Shinchosha Publishing House, in 1940 she officially became a member of the Photographic Society of Japan, beginning a brilliant career as a news photographer.
She became known for her compelling portraits of citizens living in post-war society, while in World War II (1939-1945), Sasamoto captured patriotic stories and portraits of diplomats with her lens.
When the war ended, the photographer returned to Tokyo and became a freelancer, having previously worked as a reporter for the Chiba Shimbun newspaper, according to the publishing house.
He continued to record the voices of those living through the difficult Showa era in Japan.
Sasamoto won acclaim for her discolored view of post-war society, particularly for her striking portraits, which include artists, writers and the wives of striking miners, the National Gallery notes.
In 1950 he became a member of the Japan Professional Photographers Society.
In the last years of her life, the photographer had revealed the “secret” of her longevity which was a glass of red wine in the evening and a piece of chocolate every day.
“You should never be lazy. It is extremely important to stay positive about your life and never give up,” he told the “Art and Design” website. “You have to push yourself and stay informed so you can move forward,” he added.
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