Risa Tachibana First Photo Book Growing |verified| Site

For collectors, this book holds historical importance as her very first print publication. Because it was a , the book has since gone out of print, making it a sought-after item for those interested in Japanese media history. Availability for Collectors

There was the day at the beach in Chiba. The wind had been fierce, tangling her hair into a wild mess. The photographer didn't ask her to fix it. Instead, he snapped photo after photo as she fought to keep her skirt down and laughed at the absurdity of the wind. That photo—the one where she looked slightly disheveled but entirely happy—made it to page 14. It reminded her that beauty didn't have to be controlled. Risa Tachibana First Photo Book Growing

Beyond its thematic depth, Growing distinguishes itself through an intimate and trusting collaboration between subject and photographer. Kenji Miura’s lens never objectifies; instead, it observes with the patient curiosity of a close friend. The book is punctuated with surprising, informal shots—Risa’s hand nervously smoothing her hair before a shot, her foot tapping impatiently while waiting for a train, a plate of half-eaten fruit on a café table. These interstitial images, some slightly out of focus or captured from a seemingly awkward angle, deconstruct the polished illusion of the traditional photo book. They remind the viewer that this is a curated reality, but one built on genuine moments. The accompanying text, sparse and handwritten in Tachibana’s own script, amplifies this intimacy. Short captions and personal reflections are not explanatory but evocative: “The rain smelled like my grandmother’s garden,” or “For the first time, I didn’t mind eating alone.” These textual fragments provide a lyrical counterpoint to the images, offering a glimpse into the internal monologue that accompanies external change. The result is a dialogue, a shared experience between Tachibana, Miura, and the reader, inviting us not to gaze upon her, but to witness with her. For collectors, this book holds historical importance as

"Growing" is an intimate reflection on the journey of self and the landscapes we traverse along the way. Risa Tachibana's photographs are a gift - a reminder of the beauty in growth, the strength in vulnerability, and the profound connections that bind us. The wind had been fierce, tangling her hair into a wild mess

The contrast is jarring and beautiful. In Okinawa, Tachibana sheds the armor of the city. Shot entirely on film to give a nostalgic, warm grain, these images are about release . She is seen wading into crystal waters at sunrise, laughing against a backdrop of sugar loaf pine trees, and resting in a traditional inn. The wardrobe transitions to light cottons, linens, and natural poses. It is here that the "first photo book" fulfills its promise of intimacy. Without the noise of the city, we see Risa Tachibana growing still—finding peace not in achievement, but in presence.

Now, sitting in her apartment, Risa opened the book. She flipped through the pages, memories washing over her with every turn.