TOKYO UNDERGROUND: UDAI
Tokyo has become one of the most popular destinations for streetwear, as well as for the street-culture-loving youth.
The streets of Shibuya and Harajuku are filled with young people from the US, UK and China; along with the rest of the world. The shops are crowded and there are Bape and Supreme shopping bags all over the place. Everyday, thousands of people have the same routine - Supreme to Neighbourhood, then to NOAH and the other usual suspects and back again. For many people that spend 7 days in Tokyo, this is ‘Tokyo’. But what really is Tokyo? What is the youth doing? What do they create? Where do they hang? What inspires them? It’s time to have a look beyond the mainstream culture - the obvious things and places that most of us know and love about Tokyo. Time to get deep into the subcultures, movements, creative hustle and real lives.That’s where we talk about Udai, one of Tokyo's underground heroes. A filmmaker and photographer from Tokyo, who is deeply connected in the music and streetwear scene. His creative output ranges from collages to graphic design, as well as any analogue media he can find. With Youthquake his crew and family, he regulates the Tokyo underground with strong tendencies to hit the mainstream soon.
Hey Udai can you please introduce yourself and your creative hustle to Sabukaru?
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Hi! My name is Udai! As always, it all started as a hobby. I was just taking pictures for fun, not thinking about it really. I also started making zines and collages, then I got heavily interested in filming - from that I wanted to learn everything about it. Filming is something I really like to do, so focus on more. I started to build connections then find jobs and it kicked-off. It was a gradual process.
What made you start with photography and filmmaking? What inspired you?
So I started taking photos because I was inspired by 80’s/90s movies… like Home Alone, Kids and Menace To Society. I liked the way they looked, so when I shoot film I usually use 8mm. I just like the way it looks. It really inspired me to go down the analog path - keep it old school.
Is there a big analogue scene in Tokyo?
In the past few years many people have started getting into it. We have a lot of analog camera shops, so that might be the reason why some people have started using analog cameras again.
How difficult is it to shoot and processes 8mm? Is it easy to digitalise it?
It sounds more difficult than it actually is. I use a cord that’s connected to the camera which transfers the files straight onto my computer. Then I can edit them, it’s easy.
What camera are you shooting on?
I always have my Yashia T4 on me. I never leave the crib without it. It’s just super convenient and reliable. It fits in my pocket so it’s easy to access whenever I need it. I also have a Leica Mini 2 and Yashica Samurai.
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How hard was it to learn how to film and shoot film by yourself?
So, recording was pretty easy because it’s basically like a digital camera. But to edit the files, that is the part where it gets tricky. I spent months to get into it and I’m still not 100% there yet. The whole process is harder than digital.
You’ve started to do more professional stuff with your work. I’ve seen you make magazines, art direction, rap videos. Can you remember the first time you realised you wanted to do this professionally? Or that you could make money and a living from it?
I really want to make a living off making Film. It’s super difficult to only live from it though, so I have to work hard. I’m blessed with the opportunities I have and I know that. With photography it’s different. I don't mind just making some pocket money with it. But I usually reinvest that money into better film or scanning, it's cool.
So I saw you did this music video for a group. Can you tell us about your work as a videographer for music videos? What’s your vision and what do you try to film and express with your work?
With the rappers, a lot of fans only know them from being on stage. They don’t know them personally or how they are off the stage. I wanted to show their normal day-to-day life. I think it's super important to give supporters insight into their daily life - what they typically get up to.
With Photographers in Berlin for example, before people look at their photos, they look at their follower count. How difficult is it as a creative in Tokyo to get a job? We forget that before social media people had to hustle.
I do feel that people look at that, but we don’t care as much about followers as in the West. I do think that’s changing now. People care more about the attention on social media and it sucks.
What are the projects in the past year you’ve been proudest of?
There was a point in 2017 where my photos were shown in a gallery. It was a moment where I was proud of what I was doing, showcasing the things I love and support. At that moment I knew that I wanted to pursue a path in photography. I don't like focusing on just one thing only.
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Do you think there’s spaces and people supporting artists like you?
It costs money to have your photos in a gallery or exhibition you know, so it’s rare because you need a connection from a friend - otherwise it’s just too expensive for now. I would hope that there are more opportunities, not just for me but for other young creatives to share their work with a bigger audience. That's why I appreciate Biancissimo.
Can you tell me about your connections to collage art?
I first started looking at collage art as I saw a few places (like Supreme) had this scene, but I didn’t know who the artist was. I was really inspired by it, so I eventually found that the artist was Will Dave. It inspired me a lot and helped me with my work.
So you get inspired by creativity. Does it matter where it comes from or can it come from anywhere?
I like looking at different photographers, even scenery pictures - I look at everything. I do have my preference in street, graffiti and stuff like that thought. But I think that's normal. I think it's important how you use the inspiration you get from different sources.
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Who are your role models from these scenes?
So, there’s one photographer I really like. I went to see a show a few days ago; he had captured real-life stuff in a bar - like people snorting cocaine. He doesn’t like people posing for the camera. I forgot his name but it’s more important what he does: He captures real-life stuff.
I also love movies where it’s more of an autobiography. I do watch the popular movies that come out, but I prefer real-life movies.
Is there a Japanese role model for you?
It's a bit harder to find role models in Japan. But I liked the Japanese photographers who were taking daily life photos of these rappers. I really like their photography approach: Real people, and real lives.
Looking at your crew it feels like meeting 90s New York. What exactly fascinates you so much about that time?
We all really like that 90s old school culture. We are heavily influenced by it. The 90’s in New York, or the 90’s in general was such a good time. So much immersed from that time it’s unreal. Now everything is coming back again which I like.
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What about your crew, can you tell us more about Youthquake?
When our crew first started, we were all doing different things and we were connecting through this. Some made clothes, some did hiphop. It came one day when we were putting together an exhibition with our brand and after that it just started. A lot of people who we didn’t think would come - or who even knew the brand - came along. So we said, ‘ok let’s do this for real’. That’s what I meant in the beginning, it starts as a hobby and kicks-off from there.
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How would you describe daily/real-life in Tokyo?
Tokyo is a very busy city where there is always something new. Graffiti for example; you’ll walk down the street and there will be a new tag that wasn’t there the day before. Tokyo is always busy, always changing and always evolving.
What are your goals when it comes to your photography? Do you have any plans for this year to achieve something special? Do you ever want to shoot something serious for a certain topic?
So, I’m having my photos shown in a gallery this year, so working towards that. I’d also like to release another zine this year. But it’s a bit difficult to create something that only suits one topic. I would have to focus on taking pictures that fit into one topic alone, and i'm not about that. I want to capture the things that matter to me, the things that I want to portray. That’s usually a very wide spectrum.
What would you say the ideas are behind your work? Your photos, what are they about?
I just like to shoot daily - just snap around. But I do appreciate it when people pose for a portrait. I see a lot of interesting people everyday and I want to capture the moments that they are in. That’s why I use my Yashica so often. It’s super easy to take quick pictures when I’m on the move.
How would you say the ‘real Tokyo’ that you live in contrasts with the Tokyo that tourists experience?
It's different I guess. When they just do the touristy stuff it's obvious that they can't experience the Tokyo that I live in, right? I'm not visiting the temples everyday or standing in the middle of Shibuya crossing. I move in my neighbourhoods, doing my stuff.
Is there a way for people coming to Tokyo, for say 2 weeks, to see the real Tokyo? Or is that too short?
It depends on if they know people here. They might get a glimpse of it. If they know people here, have connections and know the place well, then of course they can. But 2 weeks is a pretty short time to be fair - they would need at least a month. You would need 1 week alone to get used to the city in general. Then you can focus on seeing the real Tokyo.
You mentioned graffiti. Would you say this is something that is stable or something that is a new trend?
I don’t know about the past, but today it is super hard with the police and everything. There’s a lot of patrols lately.
This classic street culture seems to really exist in Tokyo. More than other cities in Japan there seems to be a real street culture here.
The location doesn’t matter I think. Wherever you go people will immerse in street culture. Osaka, Kobe… they’re really big on street culture, it’s not just here. Tokyo is a lot faster than others though for sure. We have a lot more foreign influences coming from overseas. Tokyo is a street culture melting pot.
In the western world social media is way bigger than in Tokyo. A creative needs to have loads of followers. In Japan though, it still looks way realer and honest - it doesn’t seem as if social media is as important. What would you say about that?
For me, it doesn't matter. I would still create even if I only got 10 likes on my pictures. Although, with more followers I can reach a bigger audience and showcase my work. But i'm not aiming for likes or followers, that's not why I do stuff. I love creating with or without the attention.
Do you think it will become like the West where it is so important?
I honestly think it will. It’s a shame. You should do stuff because you like doing it, not because you want to get famous. You will not succeed that way.
How would you say a normal day in life looks like for you?
Most days I get up and work. I’m sharing my space with a roommate now, so in the evening I like to just kick it and chill - drink and watch YouTube videos with him.
What’s your favourite film?
I like using a cheap one a daily basis, but if it’s professional work then I’ll use slightly more expensive ones. But there is no limitation. You don't have to shoot on the most expensive camera with the most expensive film to showcase what you want. Just go out and create. Don't think that you have to use this camera or that camera to get good results.
Would you say you have a special approach to the way you do photography?
With the Yashika I try not to use flash at all - like in your photography. You don’t use flash, it’s not needed in Tokyo. Everything is so bright and colourful. Even if there’s not enough light it doesn't matter. The pictures get a super unique look if they are underexposed.
Which options do you use? Night mode?
I don't have a night mode to be honest. But I don't use the flash, that is the most important part.
What do you want to achieve with your photography? Is there a higher goal?
My goal is to make a graffiti zine as I’m into that. That's something I want to focus on a bit more. But in general I just want to create, whether it's photography film or graffiti. It doesn't matter to me. If I can combine them, that's even better.
What does ‘have a good time’ mean for the Tokyo scene?
It's very popular now, more so than a few years ago. You see it on the streets a lot more. It helped the scene for sure. We have a spot now where we can get in touch with other artists that do graffiti, or just art in general. It's a place where we can hang out and connect. They have also opened a store in New York, so it not just helps our scene, but other ones as well.
It’s a shop that connects the subculture right? Are you still doing this?
Yes, i'm still working there.
Do you think it’s more important to work a part-time job that gives you more time to make your own work, or a full-time job with less time to do your own work?
So, right now I’m more of a full-time worker, doing my art when I can. I am in the position to work in a job that is connected to my own work, so I don't mind. But i’m working towards being completely creative on my own. I’m working really hard towards that.
Would you agree that the title for this article would be something like ‘a true Tokyo subcultural hero’? Would you agree that your representing Tokyo subculture?
I think you have to look at the perspective. Everyone has a different perspective on things, it's hard to generalise.
Everyone comes to Tokyo and they do the very same things, stay at the very same places and mainly focus on shopping. The real Tokyo culture stays low key and the real things seem to happen around Youthquake and you. Would you agree that you guys represent the Tokyo subculture and underground?
I would hope so. We want to stay a bit low key, we don't want any massive attention on our names. You work differently with attention, you feel pressure and I don't like that.
If you could give visitors of Tokyo any advice to see the ‘unseen’ - something you wouldn’t see in a popular magazine. What should they do?
If they come from abroad and they’re gonna live here and experience it, the best thing is to try and make friends. Try and make yourself known to people, but if I could speak English I would love to do that.
Do you think that there are some misconceptions about Tokyo by the people that come here?
I feel like it’s a thing here. Foreigners will point out stupid scenes they’ve seen in movies, like pointing out locations because they’ve seen Tokyo drift once.
But Tokyo is not a Tokyo Drift scene!
I think japan is also trying to invite western people. Like Nigo, people like him are the ones who I look up to and I want to be like one day.
Just without the fame, I don’t care about fame, just the creativity and welcomeness for Westerners is what I want.
Last question, how would you describe your Tokyo?
If you kick it with me for a week, you’ll know my Tokyo!
