When I sing with my hands
A new artwork in collaboration with Sasa Marie Hagiwara - one Japan’s leading sign language performers.
This is part of my evolving photographic practice to capture sign language in all its grace and fluidity, power and expressiveness.
'“I’ve always loved music,” signs Sasa. “But music has mostly been understood from a hearing person’s point of view. I believe it can exist in a way that’s unique to deaf people, too.”
”The word “music” actually comes from the Latin musica, which was connected to poetry, dance, maths, and even the universe.
So for me, it’s important to express that music can be experienced differently — through movement, rhythm, visual patterns — by both hearing and deaf people.”
To accompany this artwork, Sasa has written a new poem to convey what it means to her to be able to use Japanese Sign Language (JSL) to express her innermost feelings.
When I sing with my hands,
they gather in the gaps of the night,
layering delicate whispers on top of each other.
After the world has fallen asleep, soft giggles shine out from the quiet bookshelves,
and the hidden stars tumble down.
And so my song becomes visible to the moon.
When I gather my song with my hands,
it tickles the footprints left in the meadow,
it traces the laughter of the breeze.
Only the echoes of joy remain, and when I close my eyes I can feel the silence of twilight all around me.
Somebody's back appears in the swaying tall grass.
The wind begins to sing in time with my hand movements.
When I create a song with my hands, my eyes see invisible sounds.
When I take a song out with my hands, I feel the breath of the earth.
When I make a song with my hands, my palms draw the universe.
“Japanese Sign Language (JSL) isn't officially recognised as a national language yet,” explains Sasa. “So the Japanese Federation of the Deaf is still campaigning for a law to change that. On the bright side, 40 out of Japan's 47 local prefectures have passed their own sign language ordinances, which is a big step forward.”
“Awareness of Deaf culture and sign language is slowly growing thanks to more visibility in TV, films, and events like the Deaflympics. But there are still challenges. Some schools for the Deaf have been closed, and not all Deaf children have the right to learn in sign language. So yes, there's definitely more the government and society can do to support JSL and equal access for Deaf people.”
“In November this year, the Deaflympics 2025 are coming up,” signs Sasa. “There’ll be several Deaf culture and arts events in Tokyo. I’ll be doing a live sign poetry performance, and I’m also helping organise a concert where Deaf children express “music” from a Deaf perspective.”
“If you’re free, you should definitely come visit Tokyo — it’ll be a great time!”