Beneath the summer canopy of Japan’s Yamagata forests, tiny golden lights flicker in the darkness—fireflies, painting trails of ephemeral beauty against the night sky. To photographer Kazuaki Koseki, these fleeting sparks are more than just a natural wonder; they are a testament to the delicate relationship between humanity and the environment.
A Journey into Nature
Born in 1977 in Yamagata Prefecture, Kazuaki Koseki grew up in a family photography studio, surrounded by images long before pursuing photography himself. His artistic journey began unexpectedly through fly fishing, which led him to explore rivers, forests, and mountains.
"I started fishing in rivers close by and gradually began to spend most of my holidays in nature," he recalls. Observing the landscapes, seasons, and wildlife deepened his connection to the natural world.
In 2011, the Great East Japan Earthquake and Fukushima disaster profoundly impacted him. "Seeing my friends die and so many others affected, I learned about the ferocity of nature and the fragility of life," he says. This turning point inspired him to document Japan’s landscapes, preserving their beauty through his art.
The Discovery of Firefly Forests
Eight years ago, Koseki stumbled upon a magical secret hidden within Yamagata’s forests: Himebotaru fireflies. "I wondered if they existed in the nature of Yamagata as I know it. I then opened a detailed mountain map and researched the forests that might be inhabited," he recalls.
Determined to see them with his own eyes, he ventured alone into the moonless forest, heart pounding with both fear and excitement. "After about 30 minutes, I found a small yellow light that seemed to twinkle. When I switched off my flashlight, countless small lights were twinkling in the forest. […] It was like a starry sky," he describes.
In that moment, his fear of the dark dissolved, replaced by a profound connection to the living, breathing world around him. The memory of that night stayed with him, a glowing ember in his mind that refused to fade. "What kind of image did the light I saw in the darkness that I was afraid of give to my brain? The dialogue with myself continues to this day.," he reflects.
Art That Captures Time Itself
For Koseki, photography is more than just taking a picture—it is a way to capture time, movement, and emotion in a single frame. His series, Hotarubi – Summer Fairies, portrays the fleeting brilliance of fireflies, their glow tracing delicate parabolic arcs across the forest night.
To create his images, he relies on long-exposure photography, sometimes leaving his shutter open for minutes at a time. "The night forests I see with the naked eye are so dark that I cannot even see my own hand, but what made the strongest impression on me was the dim bluish forest during what is known as the blue hour, when the fireflies begin to fly," he explains.
His work is a blend of science and poetry—he carefully observes the flight patterns of male fireflies, predicting their movements based on obstacles and variations in light. "Himebotaru is an artist who paints light in the forest," he says.
Unforgettable Moments Behind the Lens
Among his most memorable shoots, Lights of Life (2021) stands out as a rare and breathtaking experience. "While searching for the light emitted by a female firefly that cannot fly, […] I carefully positioned my camera before nightfall," he explains. As the fireflies began their dance, one flew straight toward the camera and landed on the lens, flashing repeatedly. "I was able to shoot the biggest and most beautiful glow of firefly life I have ever photographed," he recalls.
His favorite image, Stardust Forest (2023), captures the graceful arcs of fireflies painting the night air. "Fireflies sometimes draw beautiful parabolic trajectories in the forest," he says. Through years of careful observation, he realized that while their movements seem random, they actually follow patterns shaped by obstacles and changes in light. "Himebotaru is an artist who paints light in the forest," he reflects.
From Japan to the World
Koseki’s Hotarubi – Summer Fairies series has been exhibited across the globe, from the Natural History Museum in London to the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland. In 2025, it will be featured at the Month of Photography Denver, Tiradentes Photography Festival in Brazil, and Photo London Fair.
His work has won numerous accolades, including Wildlife Photographer of the Year and the Sony World Photography Awards Professional Shortlist. Yet, for Koseki, the true reward lies in something deeper: "Spending my days in the nature and climate, spiritual features of Tohoku and Yamagata, the changing seasons that I experience with all my senses bring me a lot of inspiration," he shares.
Each photograph is a reflection of those moments—his quiet walks through the forests, the rhythmic dance of fireflies, and the deep connection he feels with the landscapes he captures.
For more of Kazuaki Koseki’s breathtaking work, visit his website: kazuakikoseki.com
Follow him on Instagram: @isseycraft
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