Photography

NSFW: Japanese Photographer Gets Naked to Capture Stunning Shots of African Tribe

As a young child in Japan, Nagi Yoshida was enamoured by the beautiful African tribes she saw on television.

She even hoped to be in a tribe when she grew up, until she realised that wasn’t what the future had in store for her.

She told Innovations-I,

“When I grew up a little, I began to wonder why my skin wasn’t darkening and later I realised my parents are Japanese. It was a tremendous shock!”

https://www.instagram.com/p/qRsGCaljIt/

 

Her adoration of Africa continued and, after dropping out of high school and studying photography, Yoshida had the opportunity to travel there at age 23.

“Although Africa has harsh land, in such a place where people are full of joy and smiles, it is a very sunny place.”

https://www.instagram.com/p/8FIgqbljKT/

She shared that it has always been the unique personality of Africa that has attracted her, the rich colours along with the coexistence of beauty and power within its tribes.

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​こんにちはー、ヨシダです。 12月に大阪と東京でトークショーをやらせて頂くことになりましたので、その告知をさせて下さいませ。 ≪ ヨシダナギ present 俺とお前と黒いヤツ2015 ≫ 概要:人気沸騰中の旅番組『クレイジージャーニー』に出演し、巷の話題をかっさらったフォトグラファー ヨシダナギがアフリカでの珍道中やテレビで明かされなかった珍エピソードを携えて12/17大阪ロフトプラスワンウエスト、12/21新宿ロフトプラスワンをジャック。東西ロフトプラスワンでヨシダナギの全貌を体感してください。 【 大阪編 】 日時:2015年12月17日(木) OPEN 18:30 / START 19:30 会場:Loft Plus One West (大阪府) 料金:前売 ¥3,000 / 当日 ¥3,500(飲食代別) ※要1オーダー¥500以上 詳細: http://www.loft-prj.co.jp/schedule/west/38912 前売券の購入は http://eplus.jp/sys/T1U14P0010843P006001P002173171P0030001 から。もしくは、電話0662115591(16~24時)にて。 【 東京編 】 日時:2015年12月21日(月) OPEN 18:30 / START 19:30 会場:Loft Plus One 料金:前売 ¥2,500 / 当日 ¥3,000 ※要1オーダー(500円以上) 詳細: http://www.loft-prj.co.jp/schedule/plusone/39003 前売券の購入は http://eplus.jp/sys/T1U14P0010843P006001P002172902P0030001 から。 平日の夜のイベントで参加をためらわれる方も多いかと思いますが‥‥ 今年最後のヨシダのトークショーに足を運んで頂けましたら大変嬉しゅうございます。 会場で皆さまにお会い出来ますことを楽しみにしておりますー! http://nagi-yoshida.com/603 #ヨシダナギ #アフリカ #民族 #俺とお前と黒いヤツ #トークショー #スリ族 #african #ethiopian #ロフトワンプラスウエスト #ロフトワンプラス #トークショー #クレイジージャーニー

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In order to better connect with her subjects and show respect for their customs, it was at times necessary for Yoshida to shed her clothing. Of the 15 naked tribes she is aware of, Yoshida has photographed 12, six of which while naked or in some stage of undress.

Coming from such a conservative culture as Japan, you’d think that baring all could have proven anxiety-inducing for the young photographer, but she was not shaken by the experience.

“Because the models were all naked, I got naked too. There was nothing to be ashamed of.”

Of course, it is the beauty of the images the photographer shot that is most important, not what she was wearing as she did it, as I’m sure you’ll agree.

You can follow Nagi Yoshida on FacebookTwitter and Instagram.

To see more of Yoshida’s shots and to see her behind the scenes alongside the stars of her photo series, head to Spotlight (be warned, the images are slightly more NSFW).