Toki o koeta Nihon (Timeless Japan)

I saw her from a distance. She was sitting on a bench with two friends and she was doubled over in laughter. I had to know her and I definitely had to photograph her. I approached the three old friends and introduced myself. She immediately, and with pride, told me that she was 97 years old. I asked her if I could photograph her. She enthusiastically said yes. 

I got down on my knees in the street right in front of her. I once again got the rare, on-the-spot feeling that photographing someone was life changing for me.

The four of us had a good conversation after I photgraphed her and I knew that this was going to be a good and productive trip.