落花
Withering Noble Flowers和往常一样，我接到一个拍摄抗议的任务。
和最初不一样，我一点都不兴奋了。
一群老人，沿着报备的路线走一圈。
我也就跟着走了一圈，权当走路锻炼并发个稿罢了。
3月11日
As usual, I received a task to cover a protest.
Unlike in the beginning, I don’t feel excited at all.
A group of elderly people walked around the designated route.
I followed along, treating it as a bit of exercise while preparing to file the photos.
March 11
Dear My friends,
The time has finally come for me to leave.
Three years ago, I was sent here as a photojournalist. Before setting foot in Japan, I had already developed many fantasies: it seemed flawless— excellent product quality, a well-ordered society, and an incredibly clean environment.
Thanks to this job that allowed me to deeply engage with society. After three years, my feelings about Japan have become more complex. There is a famous book describing the Japanese people called “The Chrysanthemum and the Sword,” but I feel that is a thing of the past.
The Japan I see is much like how a woman from Shandong, China, views her own province: they are acutely aware of the severve patriarchy in Shandong and know that it stems from Confucian ideals. But when Shandong is mentioned, they are also immensely proud that it is the birthplace of Confucian culture, with an incomparable cultural heritage. They know the problems, cannot change them, yet still take pride in them.
This is Japan. It is truly exceptional, but burdened by the weight of its history, moving forward slowly and steadily.
See you.
Cheers,
ZHANG Xiaoyu