カイ / Kai

A Quick study on reflection and form. Lumin Print with aluminum paper.

Participating in a charity event WI DEH YAH! [we•day•ya] WE ARE HERE!!! 俺たち来てるよ！🇯🇲🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍⚧️💕 thank you to @gordonnotyou I’ll be donating some of my lumen prints, including one from Unwoven, but together. A series I’ve been working on, shaped by the feeling of being part of a community while not fully belonging, and learning to find connection in that in-between space. 📍@contrast_tokyo 🗓️ 3月1日 MARCH 1ST(SUN) ⌚️13:00–19:00 DONATION / ドネーション：1,000円 PARTY ~ ART ~ CHARITY ~ FOOD パーティー～アート～チャリティ～フード Charities we will be raising money for: 今回寄付を集める支援団体： EQUALITY FOR ALL FOUNDATION JAMAICA イコーリティ・フォー・オール財団（ジャマイカ @equalityja UNITED WAY JAMAICA ユナイテッド・ウェイ（ジャマイカ @unitedwayofjamaica CONNEK JA コネック・ジェーエー（ジャマイカ） @connekja We chose these charities for the work and support they provide our siblings in Jamaica 🇯🇲🩷 これらの団体は、ジャマイカの仲間たちを支え続けている活動とサポートに敬意を込めて選びました 🇯🇲🩷 Let’s celebrate Jamaica together! みんなでジャマイカを祝おう！ In collaboration with @in_focus_inc

I’ve been struggling to write about finishing my 8th year in Japan. The past few years, especially this last one, have been difficult for me mentally, physically, and emotionally. I felt deeply homesick. When I tried to reflect on what I’ve done, what I’ve accomplished, the relationships I’ve built, and the progress I’ve made in my career, I found myself comparing instead of celebrating, focusing on what I lacked rather than the eight years of joy, love, friendship, and growth I’ve experienced here. I felt a lot of exclusion this year, not by the hand of others, but by my own. I found myself saying, “What if I had just stayed in Canada?” I tend to do that often, think of the what ifs. But something my dad once told me in Cebuano: “Kai, IF is so far, it’s out of sight.” Usually brings me back and reminds me to choose gratitude over regret. Because If I hadn’t come to Japan, I wouldn’t have been inspired by the countless creatives and artists I’ve had the privilege to meet. I wouldn’t have experienced an entirely different culture and customs that has taught me that communication starts with empathy, not language. I wouldn’t have had the chance to work alongside brilliant creators, producers, and business people—each of whom taught me invaluable lessons and pushed me to grow, to aim higher, and to challenge myself in my career. If I hadn’t come to Japan, I wouldn’t have found communities, built lasting relationships that continue to bring me joy. And if I hadn’t come to Japan, I wouldn’t have met Yasu—someone completely opposite from me, yet I would not choose to live my life without him. So, f*ck the what ifs. I’m deeply grateful for these eight years. I don’t know how much longer I’ll be here. Maybe I'll be here for a little while longer, maybe a little less. Who knows! But I’ll continue to live a life full of gratitude, passion, and care. Thank you to my family, Mom, Dad, and Kuya, who continue to support me despite their longing for me to come home. Thank you to my friends back home, who show up for me even from 14 hours away, who continue to include me in their lives and update me about everything and anything. love & above ❤️

asin tibuok- アシンティブオク, 塩 🧂🥥🌴 Visited one of the last four families that makes asin tibuok in Bohol island. One of the rarest types of salt in the world. In Bohol, Asín tibuók is made the slow, pre- Hispanic way—coconut husks soaked in seawater, burned into ash, filtered into brine, then boiled in clay pots until solid salt forms. Very sharp earthy sea salt with mild smoky, fruity, and coconut undertones. 🥥 🧂 ボホール島で、アシンティブークを作る最後の4つの家族のうちの1つを訪れました。これは、世界で最も珍しい塩のひとつです。ボホールのアシンティブークは、祖先から受け継がれた伝統的な方法で作られています—ココナッツの殻を海水に浸し、灰に焼いて、ブラインに濾し、土鍋で煮詰めて固形の塩を作り出します。その味は鋭く、土のような海塩の風味に、ほのかな煙、果実、ココナッツの余韻が感じられます。

Traces found in Cebu 2025

Cats and dogs in cebu, but mostly cats. 🐕🐈

This was nice! Hana chan's exhibition was so lovely @soyoh_jewellery ✨️

Approached with tennderness, met with grace. Polaroid Emulsion on washi.

This is my favorite portrait and print I’ve ever made. It might not be the most technically sound print— I might have over-agitated the film while developing—but it was only my second year of university and my very first large format photograph. I asked my dad to sit for me, and he did so patiently for almost two hours without a single complaint. Photography, and especially working with large format, taught me how to look. But my dad taught me how to see—to see beyond what’s simply in front of me, to comprehend and contextualize, and to empathize with what I encounter. So thank you, dad, for always being my sitter and my teacher. Happy birthday 🎂

Cyano & lumen test prints 1. Negative Cyano On washi 2. Negative Cyano On wood 3. Negative on lumen #cyanotype #lumenprint #alternativeprocess

Lines and Reflections of aluminum paper. Courtesy Tekeo Paper shop. LUMEN & CYANOTYPE WORKSHOP 8/30 Event Details Date: Saturday, August 30, 2025 Time: 11:00 AM – 5:00 PM Venue: MIDORI.so Studio (1F, 5-13 Nihonbashi Yokoyamacho, Chuo-ku, Tokyo) Language: Japanese & English Fee: ¥9,900 (Max. 6 participants) #lumenprint #alternativephotographicprocess

Every year, I host a Lumen Print workshop at @midoriso_studio —but this year, I’m adding Cyanotype into the mix! 💙 Alternative photographic practices is near and dear to my heart, and I could talk about it for hours. If you’d like to explore some historical photographic techniques, sip some coffee, get your hands a little dirty, or just hang out, I’d love to see you there! Event Details Date: Saturday, August 30, 2025 Time: 11:00 AM – 5:00 PM Venue: MIDORI.so Studio (1F, 5-13 Nihonbashi Yokoyamacho, Chuo-ku, Tokyo) Language: Japanese & English Fee: ¥9,900 (Max. 6 participants) DM for link #lumenprint #Cyanotype #alternativephotography