Oyako: An Ode to Parents and Children

The Japanese word oyako is a combination of the characters for parent (¿) and child (¿). It is unique in that it combines the parent and child into one unit, stressing the group rather than the individual, and reflecting the vertical link between generations. The parent is the link to the past; the child, a bridge to the future.

When Bruce Osborn first photographed punk musicians and their parents in 1982, he had no way of knowing that it would turn out to be a life-long project of over 7,000 photo shoots over three-and-a-half decades, covering Japanese society in all its variety from musicians, sushi chefs and monks, to sports figures, adult film actresses, celebrities and the family next door. 

Oyako is a unique exploration of this special relationship—in a selection of photos and text. In a fresh and eye-opening way, it explores the very meaning of family and familial relationships and challenges us to consider our feelings about family.