When photographer Miyoko Ihara decided to start documenting the life of her 87 year-old grandmother, Misao, for a photography book, you would think that the results would be pretty boring.
Fortunately, Misao finds a companion in Fukumaru (福丸), an odd-eyed kitten that Misao finds in a shed on her property. Misao, who apparently lives alone in her house in rural Japan, becomes inseparable from Fukumaru, and vice versa.
Not only do I love this photo series because it’s adorable, but it offers up a vision of rural Japan that you normally don’t get to see. Every day, this old woman continues to work the fields, even though she’s way past retirement age. It’s admirable that Misao still works so hard and really owns her land.
You can find the book, Misao and Fukumaru, here.