Smith\'s Tomoko in Her Bath -Photography PDF

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Questions and exploration/analysis of Smith's Tomoko in Her Bath photograph along with answers that received a grade of 97. ...

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Anika Kaushal W. Eugene Smith Tomoko in Her Bath

Question 6) How did he die?

W. Eugene Smith suffered a big stroke on December 23rd, 1977. He made partial recovery and resumed his teaching. Less than a year later Smith suffered stroke for the second time on October 15th, 1978. Sadly, Smith passed away due to his second stroke. Smith was cremated and his ashes remain in Crum Elbow Rural Cemetery, Hyde Park, New York.

Question 7) What is Minamata besides the place it records in Japan? Minamata is a disease which is sometimes referred to as Chisso-Minamata disease as well. This is a neurological syndrome which is caused by severe mercury poisoning. Minamata disease was originally discovered in 1956 in Minamata City in Kumamoto prefecture, Japan. This was caused by the release of methylmercury in the industrial wastewater from a chemical factory known as Chisso Corporation. This why Minamata is also known as Chisso-Minamata disease. There are many symptoms of minamata disease. Ataxia, numbness of the hands, numbness of the feet, muscle weakness, damage to hearing, narrowing of the field of vision and impaired speech are a few examples of symptoms for this disease. In very extreme cases, individuals suffering minamata disease can experience insanity, be put into a coma or death within a week of experiencing symptoms. Fetuses may be affected by this disease from a congenital form. This disease originally came from the consumption of fish. Mercury is an extremely toxic chemical which was found in fish located in Minamata Bay and the Shiranui Sea, which is where the fish were caught from. The consumption of the fish caused for mercury poisoning. Humans along with dogs, pigs and cats were affected by this illness for more than 30 years. However, the government and company did not attempt to prevent the pollution which caused this disease.

Question 8) What was the series of events in Japan that lead to this photograph being taken? The main event that took place in Japan that led to this photograph being taken is the Minamata disease outbreak which was first seen in 1956 in Minamata City in Kumamoto prefecture. This is the illness that the daughter in Smith’s photograph is suffering. The Chisso Corporation, a chemical factory, ran a petrochemical plant in the city of Minamata which was contributing to the issue of the poisoning of the population. The factory claimed innocence as the corporation believed they had nothing to do with the disease outbreak within Minamata and this held until July of 1959. However, in 1959, researcher by the name of Kugler found that the cause of Minamata was organic mercury. Chisso Corporation resumed to claim innocence when this evidence was brought into light and continued to pollute the water source around Minamata by dumping the highly toxic chemical into the water. These are two events that led to Smith taking this photograph. Photojournalism is one of the main elements to Minamata disease gaining recognition, raising awareness as well as having a voice for victims of Minamata disease which was Smith’s goals when taking this photograph.

Question 9) What is wrong with the little girl? It very clear that the little girl is sick, we can see this based on her physical appearance. She is naked and deformed. The little girl looks very ill and malnourished as we can see her bones and she is very skinny. We are able to see her rib cage and we can see that her legs are extremely thin making her look unhealthy as well. The little girl is suffering from Minamata disease, this disease is a type of mercury poisoning that affects the body as well as the mind.

Bibliography

Selwyn-Holmes, Alex. “Tomoko Uemura in Her Bath.” Iconic Photos, 22 Jan. 2017, iconicphotos.wordpress.com/2009/05/06/tomoko-uemura-in-her-bath/. Ultius. “Sample Paper on Tomoko Uemura in Her Bath.” Ultius, 19 July 2013, www.ultius.com/ultius-blog/entry/sample-paper-on-tomoko-uemura-in-her-bath.html. Unknown. “Minamata Disease.” Minamata Disease » Sustainability » Boston University, 2016,

www.bu.edu/sustainability/minamata-disease/. Unknown. “Minamata Disease The History and Measures.” Minamata Disease The History and Measures [MOE], 2002, www.env.go.jp/en/chemi/hs/minamata2002/....