"Portrait of J" features 111 portraits of the Japanese people, taken between 2002 and the present. Homma’s portraits represent a wide range of occupations and life experiences, spanning all generations. With quiet intensity and unmistakable clarity, he invites us to contemplate the everyday and extraordinary faces that form the social and cultural fabric of contemporary Japan.

Portrait of J joins the rich tradition of socially engaged portraiture. What distinguishes Portrait of J is its intentional focus on ordinary individuals photographed with the same care and reverence often reserved for cultural icons. Shot across a variety of familiar, recognizable locations, mainly in urban environments, Homma’s portraits have an illuminating quality that reveal a psychological depth in their subjects. His portraits are guided by empathy and a desire to observe people as they are—free from manipulation or staging. The result is an inclusive, nuanced visual representation of Japanese identity—expanding the lens through which Japanese people are seen both within Japan and internationally.

While Japan has long fascinated audiences in the U.S., Europe, and beyond—often admired for its aesthetics, traditions, and technological innovation—the lived realities of its people are often idealized, misunderstood, or overlooked. Portrait of J is especially meaningful in that it offers a platform for a Japanese photographer to speak directly, intentionally, and reflectively through his work—presenting a grounded and authentic portrait of contemporary Japan.

At once systematic and deeply personal, Portrait of J is a quiet yet powerful milestone in Takashi Homma’s enduring career—and a poignant, timely archive of the people who shape Japan today.