"Her color was red. It symbolized courage, strength, and energy. Nakano did not conform to the norms for a girl in 19th-century Japan. Born into a samurai family, she trained in martial arts from childhood and, as a young woman, became a master of the deadly weapon Naginata—a nearly two-meter pole with a razor-sharp blade. 170 warriors lost their lives when they faced Nakano in battle.

In 1868, the last shogun surrendered to the emperor’s forces. But his loyal samurai followers did not. Nakano was among them, leading her own unit of 20 women, whom she had trained herself, including her mother and younger sister. Their last stand took place at Aizu Castle, where the female samurai faced the emperor’s gun-armed armies with their naginatas. Despite slim chances and promises of clemency, the samurai attacked. Nakano killed at least five soldiers before being gravely wounded by a bullet.

She asked her 16-year-old sister Yoko to behead her and hide it, denying the enemy a trophy. Yoko fulfilled her sister’s wish, concealing Nakano’s head beneath a tree at a temple.

The paper where Nakano had written her death poem was reportedly wrapped around the shaft of the naginata she used in her final battle. It read:

“There are many famous warriors
I dare not count myself among them
Even though I bear the same inner courage.”

Nakano was one of the last samurai.""

Andreas Lundberg (b. 1973) is a photographer stationed in Stockholm with the world as his field of work. His work can be seen, among other things, in advertising campaigns, magazines and books. Andreas' art photos have been shown at several exhibitions and auctions in recent years. You can find his exclusive fine art prints at melefors.com. All works are sold signed in a limited edition.

"Silent Stories" is an art project created by husband and wife Andreas Lundberg and Annie Vesterdahl Lundberg. Andreas is a photographer with a background in advertising, fashion and documentary photography. Annie is a hairdresser, make-up artist and, in the project, also a stylist. Each piece is inspired by a true story or fate. Andreas and Annie have made their own interpretation of these stories and sometimes they have changed the era and place. The creative process is often long and exciting, a constant search for a story that they can fantasize about and turn into a work of art. Hundreds of sketches that are turned and twisted eventually become a photograph. The art project Silent Stories started in 2016. Each work is signed and numbered in a limited edition. The stories that inspired the photographs are attached to the back of the works.

Technique: Photography
Material: Fine art print
Size: 120 x 80 cm
Edition: 7