Nikaido Akiko says, “Araki prefers women who are trying to live their own lives, with their worries and dissatisfactions. They understand what it means to be photographed by him, they understand that ‘false love affair’ of the situation. And they enjoy it, even if they have a boyfriend or lover.
Sakamoto Tokuko mentions that she modeled for Araki, and her boyfriend was indeed jealous. ‘He was jealous, he even denied that the photos were of me. I didn’t mind seeing the nude photographs of me published. It’s all just a game, a brief “affair” with Araki. But my boyfriend was jealous because the photos are so strong. Love and happiness are transient in real life. But moments of happiness and love are fixed forever in Araki’s photos. That’s what made him jealous.’
Fujino disagrees. She thinks statements about ‘flash love affairs’ are just publicity slogans for Araki. She feels that he looks at his models with a severe, artistic eye. ‘He doesn’t love them. His first and last love is photography’
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excerpt from the English summary of a 5-page conversation with seven female photo editors who worked with, and posed for, Nobuyoshi Araki. The article appeared in the Summer 1995 issue of Deja-Vu Photography Quarterly.