Shining Forest, 2018.
Every summer, Japans forests bear witness to magic.
The resulting photographs pulse with constellation-like clusters, the fireflies swarming the lush ferns and towering trees.
“Shining Forest,” 2018.
Theres a certain tenderness guiding Kosekis work.
Thehimebotaruphenomenon occurs for only a few days each summer, forcing a quick yet considered reaction to its ephemerality.
Now, Koseki has collected these photographers into theSummer Faeriesseries.
“The Gods Live,” 2018.
In March,Summer Faerieswill be exhibited at the 2025 Tiradentes Photography Festival in Brazil.
It will also be showcased at the 2025 Photo London Fair in May.
My Modern Met had the chance to speak with Koseki aboutSummer Faeries, thehimebotaruphenomenon, and his creative process.
“Tanabata,” 2020.
Read on for our exclusive interview with the photographer.
The Gods Live, 2018.
What originally inspired you to photograph fireflies?
“Summer Forest Faeries,” 2023.
I opened a detailed mountain map and researched the forests that might be inhabited.
It was like a starry sky twinkling.
What kind of image did the light I saw in the darkness give to my brain?
“Lights of Life,” 2021.
The dialogue with myself continues to this day.
These experiences were a very big driving force for me to start creating my artwork.
Summer Forest Faeries, 2023.
“Get Lost in the Fog,” 2022.
Lights of Life, 2021.
Get Lost in the Fog, 2022.
How would you explain thehimebotaruphenomenon to those who are unfamiliar with it?
“Path of Himebotaru,” 2018.
The spectacle is like the twinkling of a starry sky.
Path of Himebotaru, 2018.
Layer of Lights, 2018.
“Layer of Lights,” 2018.
Journey to Rowan, 2021.
Full Moon Flower, 2022.
Gate of God Area, 2018.
“Journey to Rowan,” 2021.
Youve been photographing fireflies for the past eight years.
Throughout that time, how have your photographs or creative process changed?
This series of works was shot using long exposures.
“Full Moon Flower,” 2022.
The length of each shutter speed ranges from 10 seconds to 5 minutes.
This process of composing sometimes takes a long time, and some compositions have taken several years to achieve.
Even the amount of white clouds and starlight changes with the time of day.
“Gate of God Area,” 2018.
The forest is illuminated by these very small amounts of light.
In photographing with long exposures, the final image is obtained by the light drawn irregularly by the fireflies.
In the medium term, the overlapping of time was expressed by multiple exposures at the same location.
“Forest Serenade,” 2020.
Forest Serenade, 2020.
Courting Soul, 2023.
Ancient Memory, 2021.
“Courting Soul,” 2023.
Golden Forest, 2020.
How has our ongoing climate crisis impacted thehimebotaruphenomenon?
They have lived uninhabited in deep forests for a long time.
“Ancient Memory,” 2021.
The fireflies we see today are those that have escaped such threats.
They live under constant threat in modern times.
Fortunately, the fireflies behavior resumed as usual the following year.
“Golden Forest,” 2020.
Although they naturally prefer warmer climates, they live in harsh, snowy terrain.
