Bruce Osborn photo exhibition

March 2025 | Exhibition

Once Upon A Time In Tokyo (1980-2025)

March 1 - 29

In conjunction with his work as a photographer, Bruce Osborn was chair of the FCCJ Exhibition Committee for more than 13 years until spring 2024. During that time, however, he rarely exhibited his own work, apart from the highly-rated Oyako Matsuri (Parent and Child Festival) series, which he has championed for over 20 years.

In appreciation of his decades-long, dedicated contribution to the FCCJ, we are proud to present a selection of his works, chosen from a vast array of photographs dating back to his arrival in Japan in 1980.

“In this exhibition, I present a partial record of the people and events that have passed before my lens since arriving in Japan in 1980. What future will these memories lead to, memories that still resonate like an echo? Only time will tell.”

Bruce Osborn

Bruce started out as a photographer in the music industry in Los Angeles and came to Japan with his wife Yoshiko in 1980 after the huge success of his La Fantasia exhibit. Since then, he has shot numerous commercial projects, as well as photographs of musicians and artists. During his time here, he has shot images that capture the pop influences of the times, while playing a major role in the Hayama Art Festival in his home town. The annual ‘Parent & Child’ photography series has become his lifework, and some of the images, including those of celebrities and famous people, have been exhibited at museums and venues around Japan, as well as at the FCCJ where they have been a regular feature since 1984. In recognition of his work, Bruce was awarded the Prince Higashikuni His Majesty's Prize for Cultural in 2017.

Peter Lyon (Chair of the Exhibition Committee)