“Listen to the Voice of the People”

Posted on by Ben Weller

South Korea is a country forged in fire and protest. Its democracy is vibrant and seemingly stable, but every few years the populace rises to remind the rulers that people power matters. The current president, Park Geun-hye, the daughter of South Korea’s former dictator Park Chung-hee, hasn’t taken well to this democratic rite of passage, and last month attempted to brutally put down protests against her conservative and anti-labor policies.

Last weekend, undeterred by Park’s police force, tens of thousands of Koreans turned out to continue their push back against her conservative agenda. Farmers, workers, students, religious leaders, and artists staged demonstrations throughout the city, before converging at Seoul City Hall for a massive demonstration rally and march through the city. They ended their march at the hospital where a farmer, Baek Nam-gi, injured by a police water cannon at similar protests last month, remained unconscious. Click on the gallery below to view images from the December 5 protest.

Protestors wear masks of President Park Geun-hye. Park, after earlier protests, compared protesters who wore masks to members of the Islamic State.
Protestors wear masks as they march through Insadong, a popular art and shopping area in Seoul. After earlier protests, President Park compared protesters who wore masks to members of the Islamic State.
Buddhist monks attend an interfaith demonstration and vigil prior to protests in Seoul.
Buddhist monks walk in procession during an interfaith demonstration and vigil prior to protests in Seoul.
A farmer speaks before the crowds in Seoul Plaza.
Christian leaders walk in procession during an interfaith demonstration and vigil prior to protests in Seoul.
A young girl wears a mask among other protesters at Seoul Plaza.
Farmers and members of other civic groups protested in Seoul Plaza.
A protest leader wears a mask while speaking to the crowds at Seoul Plaza. “IS” is a mocking reference to Park Geun-hye’s comparison of her opponents to the Islamic State.
A farmer protests in Seoul Plaza.
A protestor in Seoul
The Park administration is attempting to replace school textbooks with a government-issued version.
People also wore traditional Korean masks in the demonstrations.
Workers play drums and march through the streets of Seoul.
People march through the streets of Seoul.
Music, especially drums and singing, are integral parts of Korean protest tradition.
Artists and students wear masks as they march in demonstrations in Seoul.
A young activist wears a mask during demonstrations in Seoul
Demonstrators in Seoul
Demonstrators in Seoul
Thousands gathered outside the hospital where a farmer injured by police remained unconscious.
Labor leaders speak before protestors at Seoul Plaza. Police estimated 14,000 people attended the protests, while organizers put the numbers much higher.
Buddhist monks attend an interfaith demonstration and vigil prior to protests in Seoul.
An artist wears a mask at demonstration in Seoul.

Ben Weller is a photographer based in Nagoya, Japan. All images by Ben Weller /www.wellerpix.com © 2015

Women wear traditional Japanese clothes walk with traditional umbrellas.

Through the Lens: Nagoya Matsuri

Posted on by Ben Weller

If you’re traveling to Japan, make sure to schedule your trip around the many festivals or matsuri that take place throughout the year. Nearly every city, town, village, and even neighborhood has its own festival, and they’re a great way to experience and learn about local music, food, art, and history.

Matsuri are often held in autumn, and serve as a celebration of the harvest (which explains all the great food you’ll encounter during your visit). Here in Nagoya, the city’s annual festival takes place over two days October, and features dozens of events, including J-Pop performances, samurai shows, and parades.

This was my first time shooting the Nagoya Festival, and it was some of the most fun I’ve had since moving to Japan. I hope the gallery below will inspire you to visit Japan and experience matsuri for yourself.

There’s no stop to the music during the festival. Here children play traditional flutes during a parade.
The clothing on display comes from several different historical periods. Here a young girl wears a kind of traditional Japanese dress for female travelers.
The energy brought by the performers makes the matsuri come alive.
History comes alive during the Nagoya Festival.
A samurai warrior leads the shogun’s horse during the parade.
Several J-Pop idol groups performed at this year’s Nagoya Matsuri.
Members of the J-Pop group P.IDL take a selfie before their performance.
If for nothing else, go to matsuri for the food. Here a vendor prepares beef skewers, or kushiyaki.
Okonomiyaki is a popular grilled Japanese pancake stuffed full of all kinds of goodness.
Okonomiyaki
Try a chocolate covered banana on a stick for dessert.
There’s international food as well. Here a man serves Turkish ice cream to a festival-goer.
The Nagoya festival features parades on both days featuring dozens of cultural and civic groups and drawing thousands of spectators.
A ninja challenges the photographer during the parade.
You’ll see all kinds of traditional Japanese clothing from many historical periods. Here people wear a type of geta or wooden sandal.
People start lining up on the streets in downtown Nagoya well before the start of the parade. Here people watch as women on tall unicycles ride during the parade.
A traffic guard keeps the parade route clear.
Geisha performers walk during the parade.
Women wearing traditional Japanese clothes and carrying brightly colored umbrellas walking during the 2015 Nagoya Festival parade.

 

Ben Weller is a photographer in Nagoya, Japan. All images by Ben Weller / www.wellerpix.com © 2015