Belgium photographer Anton Kusters spent two years documenting a Yakuza family in Japan, an experience he describes as “walking on eggshells”. Convincing the Yakuza to allow him to take photographs took ten months of negotiation. Kusters said at first the Yakuza were suspicious that he may be photographing for the media, but when they learned it was for an exhibition and book their attitude began to change.
“They quite liked the idea of an art project. They view what they do as part of a way of life rather than the sum of their actions, and liked talking about the subculture—its values and everything. They turned out to be very encouraging. They enjoyed the attention”.
He said in the early stages of the project he was very nervous. “Since they are gangsters, I thought I should be very careful, in case I shot something I wasn’t supposed to see. But this actually upset the gang. They saw my nervousness as disrespectful. I remember one time early on this guy pulled me aside and said, “You are here to take pictures. Act like a professional.” It turned out they respected me if I was really aggressive about getting a certain shot. To not take photos was a sign of weakness”.
As a result of his immersion in the “family” Kusters photographs are incredibly intimate and give an insight into a world hidden to most. Photographs of men with fingers that have been neatly cut off, bodies tattooed in honor of the Yakuza code, and sharply dressed powerbrokers hidden behind the tinted glass windows of limousines are captured in Kusters collection, that is also a book.
EXHIBITION
Yakuza
Until 23 June 2013
The Muse Gallery
TAFE Ultimo
Harris Street
Ultimo Sydney
Australia
