A haunting portrait series, ‘Re/cover,’ by photographer Phan Quang, reveals the suppressed history of marriages between Japanese soldiers and Vietnamese women during World War II. The series features families born from these unions, who have faced social hardships and the lifelong absence of their fathers.
Uncovering the Past
The portraits, taken in 2014, show family members sitting together, draped in a white veil, symbolizing both matrimony and silence. The series aims to tell the stories of these families, who have been largely erased from history. Phan spent years tracking down the families and earning their trust, despite the sensitive nature of the topic.
The photographer’s use of the white veil as a visual device came to him after visiting a traditional Japanese kimono workshop in 2013. He saw connections between Japan and Vietnam in its use, as the same fabric is commonly used for bridal veils in Vietnam. The veil serves as a potent metaphor for the concealed-yet-visible state of these families.
A Family’s Story
One of the families featured in the series is that of Lê Thị Xuân and Yoshiharu Shimizu, who had two sons and one daughter. The family’s story is one of love, loss, and resilience. Despite the challenges they faced, the family remains proud of their heritage and their father’s legacy.
Original reporting: KEYT (Ventura/Santa Barbara) — read the source article.
