How we began this project

In February of 2020, I went with Retsu Motoyoshi (filmmaker) to Kamagasaki in Osaka to film a documentary about the aging town of daily workers. It was then that we discovered Masumi. We met Mr. Sugiura, the property manager of Masumi, while we were shooting this documentary. It was through him that we learned about Masumi and its abandoned state.

Unlike major ruins that remain as landmarks of modern society, places such as this, that used to be in the center of people’s everyday life, are destined to disappear in the ash heap of history. Brothels where nameless people crossed paths and had sex are among those. When I opened the rusty shutters of Masumi, entered the sticky and damp rooms, and found memories covered with dust, I became convinced that this place needed to be preserved. The role of journalists is to capture the moment and to pass it along. But I believe that visualizing what is disappearing and showing its value is also as important.

Without a doubt, we don’t justify prostitution. The brothel system that existed before women’s rights were legalized was a shameful fact of our history. We cannot ignore that women who worked as prostitutes in brothels were the victims of human trafficking. Of course, we agree with the criticisms of the brothel system, but we still believe that visualizing what is disappearing and showing its value is one of our roles as journalists. And surely Masumi has that value. 

The purpose of this project is not about defending prostitution or human trafficking. It is about passing on to the next generation the memories that we found in the ruins of a brothel. The photobook contains the history of Tobita Yukaku, the uniqueness of the architecture of Masumi, commentaries on items that were left behind, as well as interviews of experts regarding diverse issues of the brothel system back then. Part of the profits from the sale of this photobook will go to organizations that alleviate the plight of women.