Interview with Ruins Explorer Taiju Fubuki Bleeder: How did you become involved in exploring abandoned buildings? Why the interest? Fubuki: I had been taking a lot of photographs in downtown Osaka and I started to prefer taking pictures of ruins and abandoned buildings. By going into these ruins and taking photographs I feel like I can really experience the sensation of being alive. Bleeder: What were some of your more memorable adventures. Any strange finds? Do you take souvenirs other than photographs? Fubuki: It's very interesting when Iﾕm in the middle of a ruin and I'll experience the sensation that time has frozen. I get the same feeling when I come across a certain object or photo of a celebrity who was popular during my childhood. It's very strong at these times. I don't take anything with me because there will probably be others coming in after me. Bleeder: Did you ever run into any dangerous or otherwise hairy situations. What happened? Fubuki: I cut my left wrist on the glass of a broken window pane and there was quite a lot of blood. I've been attacked by a wild dog. It's also a little scary because in Japan, you can never really know when the rotted wood in some of these places is going to fall apart. Bleeder: Have you ever explored in other countries? Fubuki: I have never left Japan,not even for sightseeing. Unlike Japan, many foreign ruins have centuries old histories behind them. I really want to go to these countries and explore ruins that have the weight of many years. If anybody's willing to pay my way to these places Iﾕd love to go. Bleeder: Any advice for first time explorers in Japan? Fubuki: Exploring abandoned buildings is a hobby with a lot of potential for pissing people off. I think itﾕs important to be very aware and considerate of your surroundings, and to explore quietly. Bleeder: How serious is trespassing in Japan? Fubuki: There have been very few incidents involving ruins exploration in Japan. But that's specifically why it's important to keep in mind that you canﾕt just go in to those places and do anything you like. Youﾕll enjoy yourself more if you move within the boundaries of common sense. Bleeder: Is the urban exploration scene in Japan pretty collective or is it more of a solitary pursuit? Fubuki: In most cases, explorers go in groups of two to five people, but in my case, I usually go on my own. Bleeder: Could you characterize the typical Japanese urban explorer? What age, gender, personality does the practice appeal to? Fubuki: There isn't really any particular type of explorer. Many people are interested in recent or modern architecture, or maybe they like taking photographs, there are also quite a few people with an interest in the occult. Bleeder: Is urban exploration in Japan closely tied to any other subcultures? For example, there`s a Gothic element to many of the ruin websites. Fubuki: In Japan there are a lot of people who are interested in modern architecture. There is also a tie to people involved in the subculture of the occult. Bleeder: Why do you think people have an interest in places or images of decay? Fubuki: When it comes to these abandoned sites, I think that many Japanese people have a kind of sorrowful nostalgia lurking in their subconscious. That sentiment has come more to the surface recently as various forms of media that have taken up the subject of ruins exploration. Bleeder: From a foreigner's perspective, Japanese houses and buildings are demolished all too rapidly. For example, the average life span of a house in Japan is 26 years, most other buildings only make it to half a century. On top of that, it seems that there isnﾕt much of an effort put into saving buildings that do have history. As a movement in general, how do you think ruins explorers look at this situation in Japan. Fubuki: Many structures in Japan are built from timber which rots very easily in this climate, because of this a lot of old building here just seem to decay very quickly. There just isn't a lot of space for building new structures much less preserving historical sites. Out of necessity it seems that historical sites and old buildings are fated to disappear. This situation stems from our environment and there isn't a lot that we can do about it. Nevertheless, when it comes to more recent structures, there is no desire among public officials or those in industry to maintain them or keep them in use. As a result, some really magnificent examples of modern architecture are being destroyed one right after another. I find this to be extremely deplorable. Bleeder: Japan is a bit similar to Ireland in its strong love of a good ghost story, haunted sites and spiritualism. Is there's a relation between this aspect of Japan and ruins exploration? Fubuki: There are a lot of urban explorers who are out there basically to ghost-hunt. Although I definitely can say I've seen some strange and mysterious phenomena during my explorations, and I take pictures of everything, I've unfortunately never gotten a shot of a ghost. Bleeder: Is there any code of ethics you follow when exploring? Fubuki: People going into these ruins must really remain conscious of the need for their preservation. People who go in and stir up a commotion or disturb the place are idiots, and should never be allowed out on these excursions. People also shouldn't advertise the exact location of the ruins they've explored. It's important to acquire the skills to go in quietly, explore quietly, and get out. Bleeder: Any recommendations for ruins to visit? Fubuki: I recommend an old hotel in Kobe. It's up in the mountains, this building is still around after more than seventy years. I think that for Japan this ruin is extremely precious, the kind of find that many Japanese ruins explorers are aiming for. It is designed to look like a ship and has also been called the Naval Hotel. It's up in the mountains. Its appearance, standing as it does in a such a dense forest of trees and foliage can only be described as a shipwreck in an ocean called the woods. You can see more examples of Mr. Fubuki's wonderful photographs at Ruin Japan. moo