A haunting portrait series by photographer Phan Quang sheds light on the suppressed history of marriages between Japanese soldiers and Vietnamese women during World War II. The series, titled ‘Re/cover,’ features families born from these unions, who have faced social hardships and the lifelong absence of their fathers.

Uncovering Hidden Stories

Phan’s work highlights the experiences of these families, who were often stigmatized and forced to live in secrecy. The photographer spent years tracking down the families and earning their trust, eventually capturing their stories through a series of poignant portraits.

The portraits feature family members draped in a white veil, symbolizing both matrimony and silence. The use of the veil serves as a powerful metaphor for the families’ experiences, conveying the emotional weight of their stories.

A Legacy of Love and Hardship

One of the families featured in the series is that of Lê Thị Xuân and Yoshiharu Shimizu, who had two sons and one daughter. Despite the challenges they faced, the family’s love and devotion to one another are evident in their story. Shimizu, who voluntarily stayed in Vietnam after the war, was eventually forced to return to Japan, leaving his family behind.

The series has sparked important conversations about the legacy of war and the impact on families. It has also led to increased recognition of these families’ experiences, with the former Emperor Akihito meeting with descendants of these marriages in 2017.

Original reporting: El Paso News (HLL/CB) — read the source article.