SKU: 17776301824

A RUDE AWAKENING - Hajime Matsumoto

Sale price$40.50 Regular price$45.00
Save 10%

Shipping Estimate
USA
  • USA
  • CAN

Ships within 48 hours · Estimated delivery Jul 11 - Jul 16

Promo Codes Available:

For Your Every Summer RSVP, with Code: SUMMER15

Description

A RUDE AWAKENING - Hajime MatsumotoHajime Matsumoto is an 18 year old student who photographs raw, unfiltered scenes from his everyday life and the people he encounters. He is currently studying at NYU Tisch School of the Arts. Using a Nikon EM with a 28mm lens and Tri X 400, he documented moments from his school life. This book is his debut publication, produced as a hardcover edition using the money he had saved since childhood from otoshidama a Japanese New Year tradition in which

Hajime Matsumoto is an 18-year-old student who photographs raw, unfiltered scenes from his everyday life and the people he encounters. He is currently studying at NYU Tisch School of the Arts.

Using a Nikon EM with a 28mm lens and Tri-X 400, he documented moments from his school life. This book is his debut publication, produced as a hardcover edition using the money he had saved since childhood from otoshidama — a Japanese New Year tradition in which children receive small cash gifts from their families. By investing those personal savings, he chose to turn his first body of work into a physical book.

 

Statement

For six years, Japanese high school was a loop. Hanging out with the same people, in the same halls, following the same schedule. But when senior year started, I began to see this stagnant life slipping away. This small shift motivated me to start documenting it before it ended.

But my mundane school life somehow became absurd once I photographed it. My photographs captured what was hidden beneath my routine life. The raw energy, pride, and intensity of adolescent life masked by the submissive expectations of a Japanese student. 

I aimed to actualize my own truth with my camera. I photographed on instinct, relentlessly and intrusively. Before I even realized it, I became both a participant and an observer in my own life. My photographs confronted me. I realized the only difference between my high school and a prison was the people locked up inside it. We didn’t choose to be locked up, the only freedom we had was the life we made for ourselves. Our innate youthfulness was the catalyst that kept us somewhat sane.

 

Book Details

  • Photos by Hajime Matsumoto
  • 215 x 303mm
  • 54 pages
  • Hardcover
  • Signed
  • Published in 2025
  • Printed in Japan

 

Shipping Advisory

*Please note that the total amount does not include any import duties, tariffs, or GST/VAT that may be applicable in your country. 
*International orders will be shipped within 2 weeks of purchase and include a tracking number.
*Customs clearance can delay the delivery of your shipment.

 

Shipping Notes
  • Free Standard Shipping on $100+ Orders to the USA.
  • Except Preorder products are shipped in 48 hours.
  • Delivery to the USA:
  1. Standard Shipping : 3-10 business days
  • If time is of the essence, please consider selecting expedited delivery for faster service.
Exchange/Return Notes
  • We offer a 30-day return/exchange service after receiving.
  • Final sale items are not eligible for returns or exchanges.
  • To process your return/exchange, please contact us at [email protected]
  • Please click here for more details>>> Return & Exchange Policy
SKU: 17776301824

Discover Niche Categories That Outsell

Top-Converting Item to Boost Your Average Order

4.7 ★★★★★
Based on 2376 reviews
Sort
Highest Rating
Newest First
Oldest First
Product Reviews
B
Verified Purchase
Barbara
Lowell, US
★★★★★ 5
Great shower gift. Gave as card and it cost close to as much as a card.
Format: Board book
Sweet story.
WAS THIS REVIEW HELPFUL?YesReportShare
Reviewed in the United States on November 1, 2025
J
Verified Purchase
Jordan Austria
Louisville, US
★★★★★ 5
Favorite book!
Format: Board book
I love reading this book to our baby! It’s sweet and fun to read. ☺️
WAS THIS REVIEW HELPFUL?YesReportShare
Reviewed in the United States on December 28, 2024
J
Verified Purchase
Jasmine
Dallas, US
★★★★★ 5
Gorgeous book
Format: Board book
This is one of our favorite books. The illustrations are stunning. It's a total work of art! And the story about changing seasons is lovely. I like that it's a quick read but that there's more than a word or two per page. My 13-month old really loves this book, and because I love it so much too, I always encourage her to bring it over for a read!
WAS THIS REVIEW HELPFUL?YesReportShare
Reviewed in the United States on November 25, 2013
A
Verified Purchase
Amazon Customer
Carnegie, US
★★★★★ 5
Great book for kids
Format: Kindle
The book is enjoyable and is on topic for learning about the weather. The illustration are enjoyable and I recommend this book to kindergarten teachers.
WAS THIS REVIEW HELPFUL?YesReportShare
Reviewed in the United States on October 9, 2020
S
Verified Purchase
Seek Felicity
Boise, US
★★★★★ 4
beautiful illustrations
Format: Board book
The story is nice, but the real magic is in the illustrations. As a parent, I adore reading this book just for the illustrations; each page is a work of art. Most of the story is about winter, so we are reading it a great deal now (December) to discuss wildlife and how they prepare for winter.
WAS THIS REVIEW HELPFUL?YesReportShare
Reviewed in the United States on January 1, 2018

recommand products