2026.9.16. Wed—10.12. Mon

Akihito Yoshida, Theme—Tango

DELTA / KYOTOGRAPHIE Permanent Space is pleased to present Theme—Tango, a solo exhibition by Akihito Yoshida.
Throughout his career, Yoshida has immersed himself in the everyday lives of his subjects, photographing and presenting their stories while remaining closely attuned to their lives and work.
The series Theme—Tango, featured in this exhibition, portrays two pairs of craftsmen who have been engaged in textile production for more than 50 years in the Tango region of northern Kyoto Prefecture, an area renowned for its traditional Tango chirimen (silk crepe).
Rather than focusing on the traditional industry of Tango chirimen itself, the works depict the people who make the textiles and the lives they have shaped over many decades. Yoshida repeatedly visited the craftsmen, photographing them as they lived and worked in spaces that served as both homes and workshops, while also taking time to listen to their stories. Throughout this process, he found himself returning to a fundamental question: What has sustained his own work and life? Through his photographs, Yoshida has woven together the individual life story of each craftsman.
Having witnessed the rise and decline of the Tango textile industry, these two pairs of craftsmen continue their craft to this day. Their lives are deeply intertwined with the history and culture of the Tango region, where weaving has long played a central role, as well as with the changes that have transformed its local industry.
To contemplate their work and way of life through Yoshida’s photographs is also to confront the many social challenges Japan continues to face—including the decline of traditional industries, a falling birth rate and ageing population, the concentration of people in urban areas, and the resulting depopulation of rural communities.

▍Akihito Yoshida
Photographer. Born in Miyazaki Prefecture in 1980; lives and works in Kyoto. After graduating from the Faculty of Education at Shiga University and working as a teacher, he began his career as a photographer in 2010. His work observes people’s everyday lives, their work, and the course of the lives they have led, and has been exhibited and published in Japan and abroad. He is co-director of the photobook publisher Three Books. His publications include THE ABSENCE OF TWO (Seigensha / Éditions Xavier Barral), The Dialogue of Two (Three Books), Shanimuni Shashinka (Aki Shobo), and the Hataraku picture book series (Sogensha). He received the Grand Prize in the People category at the Nikkei National Geographic Photo Prize 2015 and the Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology Award at the 59th Japan Book Design Competition, was shortlisted for the Paris Photo–Aperture First PhotoBook Award 2015, and was a finalist for the 47th Kimura Ihei Award, among other honours.

▍About the exhibition
Akihito Yoshida, Theme—Tango
September 16 (Wed)— October 12(Mon), 2026
Close: Monday and Tuesday.
Hours: 11:00-18:00 (until 21:00 on Saturday)
Venue: DELTA/KYOTOGRAPHIE Permanent Space
（62 Sanei-cho, Teramachi Higashi-iru, Masugata-dori, Kamigyo-ku, Kyoto, 602-0826)