Yoko Fukuoka was born in Oyama city. It is a suburb town of Tokyo. When she was a child, she had a special affection with her grandmother and was impressed with her dignity. She taught Fukuoka that every book has its own value and you should handle it carefully. Fukuoka believes her words, and books are still special to her.

Fukuoka works at a used bookshop now and she is attracted to old publications; the texture of their paper, and the mixed scent of dust and ink. They have a quiet dignity. There are signs of the original publishers and former owners between their pages. We can feel them there like lingering memories, still warm. Fukuoka aimes to capture this attraction in her photographs.

栃木県小山市生まれ。子供の頃はおばあちゃん子で、お嬢様育ちだという祖母の立居振る舞いに感銘を受けていた。祖母に「本をまたぐと足が曲がる」と言われたのを良く憶えている。そのため福岡にとって、本は全て大切に扱われるべき尊い物だった。成長してからは本好きが高じて古書店に勤務するようになり、古い本の魅力に取り憑かれた。本によって微妙に違う紙の質感、埃やインクの匂いの向こうに、本作りに携わった人々や所有してきた人々の存在を感じる。それは本にとじ込まれた生々しい記憶である。福岡は古書に対する感動を写真で表現する。