Shiori Iwakura’s long-awaited new photo book—her first in six and a half years. Its title, crescent, refers to the shape of the moon not yet full, whose quiet light gently illuminates the night and seems to softly protect the hearts of those who gaze upon it.

The author’s heart has been saved each time she has encountered a beautiful scene. With the hope that her own work might gently accompany and support someone else’s heart, she spent two years creating this book, aiming to make it a treasured companion for someone, somewhere. There are days when life feels heavy, moments when we pause, unsure of the way forward. But even then, if we lift our eyes, we will find beauty quietly unfolding around us.

There are days when life feels heavy,
moments when we pause, unsure of the way forward.
But even then, if we lift our eyes,
we will find beauty quietly unfolding around us.

I hope this book becomes a gentle reminder of those scenes—
a quiet companion, like a small charm that stays close to your heart.

There is beauty in light that is incomplete,
and beauty in light that is whole.
May this book be a soft moonlight,
glowing gently in your night.

—Excerpt from the afterword

Six and a half years have passed since her previous work, Sayonara wa Aoiro, which captured the fleeting emotion of youth. With each moment of hesitation and quiet wavering, she encountered new forms of beauty. That gentle story now breathes softly within these pages.