Michio Hoshino

Presented by Daichi Hiramatsu

Profile

A Japanese-born Nature photographer and poet Called one of most accomplished nature photographer in his era Specialized in photographing Alaskan wildlife

His Life

Born on September 27, 1952 in Chiba, Japan At the age of 16, backpacked through

America for 2 months by himself

Belonged to outdoor club while in college

At the age of 19, started to have interests in Alaskan nature and traveled Shishmaref, Alaska for 3 months

Graduated from Keio University with a degree in economics

His Life

After graduation, worked as a camera assistant under Kojyo Tanaka, a Japanese famous animal photographer, for 2 years

From 1978 to 1982, went to the University of Alaska, majoring in wildlife management

In 1989, his work Alaska, the Map of Lives was awarded

His Work

1. Capturing the Moment

This bold eagle, looking at me, lives in neither the past nor future. Nothing but this moment, the bold eagle is living in this moment. And I am too looking at only this moment, like old days of childhood.

Bald Eagle flying, Alaska

Grizzly Bear catching spawning salmon, Alaska

Caribou group crossing through river during migration, Alaska

Humpback Whale breaching, Southeast Alaska

His Work

2. Animal Lives

With evolving slowly, any lives are going on endless journeys.

Why we look at nature? The reason why should be by looking at a bear, small bird, or any lives, we unconsciously look at our own lives through them.

Grizzly Bear mother and cub, Alaska

Grizzly Bear mother and cub standing in green foliage, Alaska

Polar Bear trio, Churchill, Manitoba, Canada

Polar Bear males fighting, Churchill, Manitoba, Canada

Harp Seal pup on ice, Gulf of St Lawrence, Canada

Heap Seal mother and pup, Gulf of St Lawrence, Canada

Japanese Macaque mother nursing young, Japan

His Work

3. Landscape

Nature sometimes shows us a scene with a story. But thats not it. All scenes surrounding us are likely filled with stories. The thing is whether or not we realize them.

We unconsciously look at landscape through our hearts. What mysterious light of aurora tells is inside ones heart.

Illuminated tent beneath snow-covered mountains and Aurora borealis, Alaska

Mt Denali and mountain range with glacier, Denali National Park and Preserve, Alaska

Autumn tundra, Denali National Park and Preserve, Alaska

Rolling foothills, Alaska

His Work

4. Portrait of Native People

One day, friend of mine told me about the life of natives that The coldness warms up their feelings. Being apart puts their hearts and hearts closer.

The most important thing in my life was to take the first step.

Two Eskimo children, Alaska

Caribou meat prepared by Caribou herder, Siberia, Russia

His Death

Around midnight on August 8, 1996, Hoshino was killed by a brown bear while on assignment in Kurilskoye Lake, Russia. He was 43 years old who just got his first son 2 years before the incident. He was staying in a tent so that he could take photos anytime, but his decision turned out to be a really bad one. His dead body which was eaten away by the bear was found in the forest. He was killed by a subject. Until the last moment, he was a nature photographer. A memorial totem pole was raised in Sitka, Alaska on August 8, 2008 (the 12-year anniversary of Hoshinos death), in honor of his work. Hoshinos wife and son survive him.

The Fake Last Photo

This one is said to be Hoshinos last photo on the internet, but this is nothing but a FAKE one. The incident was around midnight, so this photo cannot be the last photo. I guess this one was just photoshopped. Looked through Hoshinos work, who would say this terrible photo is his last one?

Totem Pole

Someday, when my body dies, I want to be the soil of the place I loved, giving some nutrient to the plants in tundra, making small flowers bloom in Arctic, and listening to the footsteps of caribous coming from far away every Spring. Sometimes, I think about things like this.

Why is my heart so calm at morning of the day when my long-wished dream comes true?

Works Cited

Official Website of Michio Hoshino http://www.michio-hoshino.com/

The Words of Michio Hoshino http://homepage3.nifty.com/masakanet/michio.html

Carbis Images

http://www.corbisimages.com/Search#pg=michio+hoshino&p=1&s=200