One day in the small village, I met many human-like scarecrows and I started taking self-portraits with them. After that, I directly talked to the only one scarecrow artist in Okuharima Scarecrow village (Himeji, Hyogo pre, Japan) and became his disciple. I asked him how to make scarecrows and I created a scarecrow that looks just like me.
I named this scarecrow “Chinatsu,” another way to read Chinese characters of my name “Chika(千夏).”

I’m the only scarecrow photographer & creator in the world now.

In fact, these photos visualize the social problems that Japan has. The story behind the scarecrows is depopulation problems, birth rates and an aging population in Japan. Currently, Japan is facing those problems and the scarecrows are the ones that symbolize those problems.

The population of the village is only 9 now and the average age of the villagers is over 80. The scarecrows are made and set up to attract more people to the village (with more than 130 scarecrows in the village now).

It is true that this is a serious problem for Japan, therefore, I would be glad if I could create an opportunity to attract as many people as possible through my photos.

– Profile –
2020. – I was selected for two consecutive years for the first time in the history of the KYOTOGRAPHIE KG+ Select. Chika & Ichio Usui’s first photo book has been published by AVGI in New York.
2019. – As the collaborative duo, “Chika & Ichio Usui,” we were included in the KG+ “Select 12 Artists” category, and held a solo exhibition in Kyoto during the 2019 KYOTOGRAPHIE [Kyoto International Photography Festival]. In November 2019, we held a solo exhibition in the Saint-Germain-des-Prés district in Paris, France. At the same time, I set up 10 of my own artwork in Okuharima Scarecrow village and exhibited them outside.
2018. – In late March, We have visited Malaysia, Cambodia, Vietnam, Laos, Thailand, Sri Lanka, Taiwan in about 5 months. after traveling seven countries we came back to Japan.
2017. – Graduated Japan Institute of Photography and Film photo fine subject and obtained a Photomaster certification for second grade.
Within the year, I started working at a photo studio in Himeji City, Hyogo Prefecture. I got married as well and traveled around Southeast Asia with my husband who is also a photographer.
2015. – Lost our house and our family decided to live separately.
2010. – Passed the national qualification to become professional Prosthetist and Orthotist. Returned to Kitakyushu and started working as a Prosthetist and Orthotist. At the same time I also started taking photos of my friends’ weddings and children.
2009. – I had a part-time job and bought a single lens camera. I started taking photos of my school life in Kumamoto. I shared a room with my friends during my stay there.
2007. – Graduated from High school and entered a vocational school in Kumamoto to become prosthetist and orthotist.
2006. – The sudden death of my mother.
2004. – I entered high school.
2001. – I belong to the track and field club of my Junior High school.
2000. – during my sixth grade in elementary, I was moved by the video of Paralympic Games on TV and decided to become a prosthetist and orthotist in the future. I also started learning shamisen this year.
1988. – Born in Kitakyushu, Fukuoka Prefecture in Japan on June 8. Zodiac sign is Gemini. Blood type is O.

– Awards –
2020. – KYOTOGRAPHIE KG＋SELECT 2020 10Artists
2019. – KYOTOGRAPHIE Paris Gallery First Floor Award
2019. – KYOTOGRAPHIE KG＋SELECT 2019 12Artists
2018. – Wonder Foto Day Award
2017. – Meiji Yasuda Life My Happiness Contest Selected
2017. – PHOTO IS 50,000 photo exhibitions 2017 100 selections that resonated with the heart (Selected by Ken Noguchi)
2016. – APA Awards2017

– Group Exhibitions –
2019. – KG+ IN TOKYO (Art-U room, Tokyo)
2019. – fotofever (Carrousel du Louvre, Paris)
2019. – Wonder Foto Day (Songshan Cultural and Creative Park, Taiwan)
2019. – Onaeba (CASO, Osaka)

– Solo Exhibitions –
2020. – ”The Beautiful Kakashi World” (KYOTOGRAPHIE KG＋SELECT, Kyoto)
2019. – ”Communities bound together by a common destiny” (BERGONZO FIRST FLOOR, Paris)
2019. – ”Hello! The Beautiful Kakashi World!” (Okuharima Scarecrow village, Himeji)
2019. – ”Communities bound together by a common destiny” (KYOTOGRAPHIE KG＋SELECT, Kyoto)

– Publication –
2020 “運命共同体 – Communities bound together by a common destiny -” (AVGI, New York)