Akiko Honda Takes Petit’s Picture
My dog Petit and I were photographed
by photographer Akiko Honda.
The location of the shoot was lovely.
We enjoyed the day.
Maybe she felt sorry for me after six months away from the band, posting about nothing but my beloved dog Petit on social media… or maybe that had nothing to do with it.
Photographer Akiko Honda had been saying for a while, “Let me take some pictures of Petit!” So she took us out to Sayama Park, with its sweeping views of Lake Tama.
We did the shoot in June, just before the rainy season. Given how sweltering Tokyo got afterward, the timing was just right, both for the weather and for a dog as fluffy as Petit.
Petit seemed to have a wonderful time on his first little outing in ages. He kept making these happy little squeaks, which made me happy, too.
Akiko and I go way back, to before my band ever took the stage. Our bassist Uchida introduced us, if I remember right, when we needed band publicity photos…
I’m pretty sure she was already doing plenty of professional work, including film stills. At the time, though, she seemed to be on a personal kick photographing people in the nude.
At our very first meeting to discuss the band shoot, she said:
“I don’t need a fee or anything. Just let me shoot some nudes instead!”
I still remember it vividly.
In the end, I did manage to keep my clothes on. Akiko, who now shoots stills for Hollywood films, has photographed me at all sorts of turning points, both solo and with the band. Once she took me to the harbor town on Jogashima for a mysterious “people and instruments” shoot and had me play guitar right at the water’s edge.
(The two photos above were taken near my home.)
I tend to get nervous without an instrument in my hands, so I was moved by how at ease I looked in these photos.
Having Petit there probably helped, but that’s Akiko for you.
When we first met, Akiko was a cat person and had a cat of her own. Then she took in Momo, her family’s dog, and became a complete convert.
I haven’t met Momo yet, but our dogs are both living keepsakes from our parents. I hope Akiko can take a picture of them together someday.
Truth be told, having Petit run my life these past six months has been a real lifeline.
And thank you, Akiko, for asking us along!
Now then, what kind of music could possibly come from the guy in these wholesome-looking photos?
I’m slowly getting back to making music, so here’s a live clip from last year. Thanks, as always, for sticking with me.
Bonus video:
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