【PROFILE】

1959 Born in Washington, D.C.
1982 Graduated from Antioch College with major in Foreign Civilizations and Literatures
1982 Traveled to Asia and lived in various countries
1988 Settled in Japan
1999 Established Brown’s Field, a prototypical farm

A photographer working in Japan for the past 25 years, my work has appeared in most major global media, including National Geographic, Geo, Time, Newsweek, Le Monde, Der Spiegel, The Times, New York Times. I’ve been fortunate to travel extensively throughout the Japanese archipelago, with many opportunities to meet uniquely remarkable people and hear their stories. Somehow, doors have opened allowing me to view things rarely accessible to the public eye. In my photography I wish to share these experiences as much as I can.

In recent years, I have often been asked to share my stories and perspectives on Japan. I’m invited to give lectures, appear on television, write essays and books in Japanese and even offer advice on national government policy. On one government panel I summarized my experience of Japan by saying, “Japan is a land of endless discovery” and to my amazement these words were adopted by the Japanese Government as a national slogan.

Exploring the vast literature on the culture of Japan, especially ethnography, is also, for me, a passion. My readings deeply influence the vision that permeates my photography. It’s been my experience that ancient currents of Japanese culture are still accessible if we but open our minds by acquiring the knowledge and developing the skills needed to attune ourselves to these energies. This belief is deeply shared and nurtured by such cultural leaders and friends as Matsuoka Seigo, Kawasae Toshiro, Tezuka Yuji and Raku Kichizaemon.

For me, life in Japan is a long and ever-deepening love affair with place and culture. Through my imagery, honoring the use of Japanese classical techniques and traditional materials, I wish to share my vision of the deep currents of Japanese culture that I encounter in my journeys.

Alongside my photographic and writing activities I established a Japanese farm with my wife, the popular cookbook writer Deco Nakajima. Located one hour east of Tokyo, near the Pacific coast, Brown’s Field (www.brownsfield-jp.com) and the country inn Jiji no Ie (www.jijinoie.com) reflect my vision of an ideal rural Japanese experience.

AWARDS

International Center for Japanese Culture, Creative Advisor, 2014-present
MEXT Culture Vision Summit member, 2014-present
Commissioner of Cultural Affairs Award for the Promotion of Japanese Culture from the Agency for Cultural Affairs in Japan (within MEXT), 2013
Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT) Committee Advisor on Intermediary Plan towards creating a Nation based on Culture and the Arts, 2013-present
IBM Business and Cultural Leaders Council member, 2012-present
Japan Inter-Design Forum member, 2012-present
Keynote Lecturer at Meiji University’s Cool Japan Program, 2010-present
METI Cool Japan Advisory Council member, 2010-2012
Advisor to Forum 21 think tank on cultural development, 2009
Advisor to Japanesque Modern project on national image branding, 2007
M.I.L.K. Photo Competition award, 2001
GEO magazine, Picture of the Year, 2001
Japanese Cabinet Office, Media Relations advisor, 1999