The Depth of Self-Expression Born from Continuity | Photographer Makoto Hashimuki | ISSUE #12

‘ISSUE’ is a series that delves into the sensibilities and thought processes of creators from around the world, serving as a source of new inspiration. In ‘ISSUE #12’, we present ten questions and an interview with photographer Makoto Hashimuki, who is celebrated both in Japan and abroad for his extraordinary images of Mt. Fuji. Through this dialogue, we explore the origins and philosophies that have shaped his unique photographic vision.

“Although I owned compact digital cameras and the like, I didn’t have the habit of bringing a camera on my travels,” recalls Hashimuki. This may come as a surprise given his current practice.
The catalyst that brought Hashimuki closer to photography was mixi, a social networking platform that was immensely popular in Japan at the time.

He casually posted a photograph in a photography topic on mixi, which drew significant attention and led him to discover the power of photography to ‘express a worldview’ and ‘connect people’. Coupled with his innate love for creative expression, including manga, he soon found himself immersed in the profound world of photography.

He began purchasing photography magazines to study various forms of expression, and used his camera to realize his creative visions both in daily life and while traveling. Always attuned to new trends and committed to continuous learning, this approach has remained the foundation of Hashimuki’s practice, both then and now.

“Bringing joy to those around me through creation” has been a core sensibility for Hashimuki since childhood, and remains a profound source of happiness. Even as times and tools have changed, his passion for expression has never wavered, and he has always sought new platforms for his creativity. The encounter with the camera further ignited this passion.

He strives to realize his envisioned expressions authentically—capturing moments as they are and sharing them with others.

Hashimuki notes that many of the fans and peers he has connected with through photography are people he would never have encountered in his previous life. Before he knew it, he was completely absorbed in photography, dedicating each day to realizing his creative visions.

Without social media, I wouldn’t be who I am today.

Hashimuki began his journey in photographic expression thanks to social media, cherishing the connections he formed with fans and peers, and consistently sharing his work. Coming from him, these words carry a weight beyond their literal meaning.

The photographs of Mt. Fuji he shared daily eventually caught the eye of someone through social media, leading to opportunities such as being featured on global news programs. A century ago, such a thing would have been unimaginable, but today, social media enables connections with fans across oceans and borders.

While monetization of social media has become more prevalent, Hashimuki shares with a smile, “By building deeper relationships with fans and expanding my sources of inspiration, I hope to continually incorporate new elements into my self-expression.”

For over a decade, Hashimuki has continued to share his work themed around Mt. Fuji with audiences in Japan and abroad. There are times when he receives negative comments, but true to his motto, ‘Persistence is power’, he continues with conviction.

Whether you succeed or fail, there is always something to be gained. Move forward with optimism.
By believing in himself and continuing to share his work, Hashimuki has encountered incredible moments and invaluable friends—treasures he could never have imagined at the outset.

Even today, he continues to engage with his camera, pursuing the possibilities of self-expression.

cizucu’s ‘Stand by Me’, curated by Hashimuki, is accepting submissions until this weekend, August 27. We invite creators to submit works that authentically express themselves, accompanied by a caption sharing your reason for continuing with photography, which is the driving force behind cizucu’s motivation. We look forward to your submissions!