Japanese sandfish, commonly known in Japan as "Hatahata" is an important fish especially for Akita Prefecture. The fishing is carried out only for a limited period from the end of November to the end of December. A long time ago, Japanese people gave the name "God of thunder" to Hatahata, because Hatahata comes over with the winter thunderstorm from the depths of the ocean to the coastal area. The people of Akita believe that they are the "Gift of God" during the harsh winter. This is the reason that the fishermen head to the cold ocean every year with courage and hope.
Satoshi Takahashi is a Japanese photojournalist. He started his professional career in Cambodia in 2007. He had spent 11 years in the country covering social issues. Currently, he has been focusing on documenting stories of vanishing cultures in Japan concurrently with covering Cambodia. In 2019, he was awarded the Domon Ken Award for his photobook RESISTANCE, which compiles work shot in Cambodia between 2013 and 2018. This is one of Japan's most prestigious awards for documentary photography, and the book has been added to the permanent collection of the Ken Domon Museum of Photography.
