all photos by Nico Therin | click to enlarge
On a recent trip to Tokyo, French photographer Nico Therin heard that the Tsukiji Fish Market was going to be relocated. So he took the opportunity to head over there one day and take some photos. Being a historical and incredibly photogenic site, Therin is far from alone in his endeavor. But what makes this photo series stand out from all the others are the faces he captures; the ordinary workers who move the iconic fish market and its 2,000 tons of fish that are traded every day.
The market has been in existence since 1935, and with over 2,000 tons of fish trading hands on a daily basis, Tsukiji is the largest wholesale fish and seafood market in the world. It “handles more than 400 different types of seafood,” says Therin, “but is famous for its bluefin tuna auction.”
And while all those statistics are impressive, Therin’s photos remind us of the ordinary faces that work there – the tired, the anxious, the ambitious – and are encouraging in the comfort they offer. The comfort of knowing that even though the market will get relocated, it will still be occupied by these awesome folks.
