Early in July this year, the Japanese government issued new bills of 1,000, 5,000 and 10,000 yen. Of course, I would not argue about it.
What I argue about is the portrait on 5,000 yen, of Ms. Umeko Tsuda. It is said to be “mirrored,” since there was no appropriate portrait image showing left side of her face. So, they decided to “mirror” her portrait to show “right side” as left. Many people question about the decision.
Occasionally, photographers do make a mistake flipping negative upside down, resulting in “mirrored” image. It is often recognized as a “mistake,” if it is not the special effect.
However, now it is the era of smartphone. When you make a “selfie,” the image will be mirrored, as if you look at yourself in the mirror. So, in a way, Ms. Tsuda’s portrait on new 5,000 yen is her own very personal image she would only have looked at, if it is not a “mistake.”
The new 5,000 yen might only be used by Ms. Tsuda, because only she could say, “That’s me!” KT
Koyo Tamaki, photographic artist 