Katsu Naito’s Harlem in the 1990s – photo essay
Katsu Naito, an 18-year-old chef, arrived in New York in 1983 from his native Japan. By 1988 he had settled in Manhattan’s Harlem neighbourhood, an area only just recovering from the brutal economic devastation of the 1970s, before the drastic dislocation brought upon longtime residents of this historically black community in the 1990s.
Clockwise from top left: Harlem Parking Lot, 1993, Gangs Home Deli, 1991, Bob’s News Shack on 5th Avenue, 1992, Street Stage, 1993.
“In 1986, I visited Harlem to photograph, but it didn’t feel right as a mere visitor. To truly capture the essence, I knew I had to be part of the community. In April 1988, I moved to Harlem, residing at 109 W 112th Street, #37. Every day felt like watching a movie from my third-floor apartment on St Nicholas Avenue.”
An outsider in all but residence, Naito walked the neighbourhood, camera in hand, for two years before shooting his first frame. Slowly, he became familiar with the people and community around him, and they with him. In time he was welcomed in as a member of his Harlem neighbourhood.
Top left: Harlem Girl, 1992. Top right: Boombox Girl, 1992. Above: Welcome to Harlem, 1992
“It took nearly two years to integrate and become part of the community. There was a corner store on my block, which I later discovered was associated with a monitored ‘gang’; they stocked only dry canned goods, and it was common to witness them wielding guns at night, shooting at abandoned buildings or into the air. I grew accustomed to the smell of gunpowder and finding bullet shells on my rooftop. Once they realised I meant no harm, Harlem showed me its various faces. I became a part of the community, roaming the neighbourhood with my camera.”
Naito’s work includes landscape photography, urban documentary, and makeshift plein air studio portraits (reminiscent of Richard Avedon’s outdoor staging). The Harlem pictures are both historical documents and part of an American photographic tradition of foreign-born artists chronicling American peoples and customs.
Clockwise from top left: Radio Cassette Player Man, Lady Holding Newspaper and Grocery Bag, Mr. Harman, Art Student, all 1992.
“Encountering familiar faces daily, we acknowledged each other organically. Mr Gwen, also known as Mr Bob, sold newspapers in a shack on 119th Street and 5th Avenue, where broken chairs sat in front. This became my daily gathering spot with neighbours and elders, where I discovered the beauty of Harlem.
Left: So Close, Yet So Far, 1992. Right: 122nd Street, 1992.
“My pictures from this series capture moments and places with a significance. The Harlem tree, for instance, is a tree located right in front of the public school on 131th street. This tree still exists today but all the sneakers have been gone since the late 90s. I just hope this decoration is celebratory or for an artistic purpose, and not gang-related.
Harlem Tree, 1998
“I always loved to watch the street scenes from the 3rd floor window. The RIP STINKER and supermarket and deli pictures speak a lot about this neighbourhood. This deli was where people kept their guns, machine guns, shotguns and drugs. As the night progresses and kids are no longer playing on the street, another face of Harlem can be seen.
RIP STINKER, 1992
“On an opposite side of the deli was an abandoned building, an easy target for target practice. The gangs were a part of our community, but despite their bold actions they never liked to have their pictures taken, never.
Wall Message, 1992
“One of the newest works in this series is Gone Vibes at Lenox Lounge, which was actually taken more than 10 years after I moved out of Harlem in October 2016. Within six months the building was demolished; it had stood there for 78 years and it felt like a sign that all the vibes were gone from Harlem.
Gone Vibes at Lenox Lounge, 2016 “For nearly six years I had lived in Harlem, experiencing time at its own pace. This profound journey granted me a glimpse into people’s souls and fostered deep connections. Harlem served as the perfect backdrop for personal growth. I am sincerely grateful to Harlem for the invaluable opportunity to capture these beautiful images.”