shashasha

“Japanese Photography Magazines, 1880s to 1980s” explores an entire century in the history of Japanese photography magazines, from the earliest photography-related publications published shortly after the arrival of photography in Japan to the golden period of the 1980s. Written and edited by Ryuichi Kaneko, Masako Toda and Ivan Vartanian, the book presents the genesis and development of Japan’s unique photography magazine culture in a comprehensive and accessible format. With its extensive background information and featuring more than 1500 images, “Japanese Photography Magazines, 1880s to 1980s” is an invaluable, one-of-a-kind resource for researchers and enthusiasts of Japanese photography and magazine culture.
Please note that this is the Japanese edition.

Selected highlights to explore:

– Social change and identity: See the evolution of Japan’s sense of self through student protests, counterculture movements, social studies of ancient rituals, and a changing landscape in the work of Hiroshi Hamaya, Shomei Tomatsu, Ikko Narahara, Kazuo Kitai, and Koji Taki.

– Experimental visions: Delve into avant-garde styles, from abstract surrealism of prewar Japan to gritty photojournalism, represented by masters like Ken Domon and Ihei Kimura.

– Technical advancements: Discover the impact of W.W.II on the development of Japan’s camera manufacturing and magazine industry.

– The “Eizo-ha” generation: Learn about postwar photographers who presented a new relationship with images as well as cross-disciplinary approaches to Butoh dance and literature.

– Independence: Get to know how photographers independently produced magazines and organized exhibition spaces in the 70s & 80s, forming small collectives that changed the course of photography.

– Influential voices: Read translated writings by photographers, critics, and poets like Eikoh Hosoe, Shuji Terayama, and Shuntaro Tanikawa, offering insights into the creative discourse.

– Provoke’s B-side: Discover how the collective produced another publication, with contributions from Daido Moriyama, Takuma Nakahira, and Yutaka Takanashi.

– Art and activism in Japan - Connects photography and magazines to social and political movements.

– Landmark publications: Immerse yourself in the pages of seminal magazines like Shashin Shinbun (1887), Asahi Graph (1923), Camera Mainichi (1956), and Provoke (1968), experiencing the evolution of visual storytelling and editorial design.

– Comprehensive: Experience complete reproductions of iconic works, including a full reproduction of Masahisa Fukase’s "Ravens," complete with authorized translations of his accompanying texts.

― from the publisher’s description