Photo-Books from Japan
This collection of Japanese photo-books is, like so much of my relationship with Japan, the result of curiosity rather comprehension. It represents a mere dip of the toe into the vast ocean that is modern and contemporary Japanese publishing around photography, which has its roots in a split between Surrealist-inflected work and realitydriven photojournalism in the early 20th century, was taken up in earnest in the 1970s and 80s by photographers inspired by revolutionary magazines like Provoke, and which continues to thrive as a culture all its own in Japan today. While this collection does include works by many of the major figures in Japanese photography, it is perhaps more important that it also includes obscure ones, hinting I hope at the vastness of the field, which could easily become all-consuming for a collector.
The proliferation of photo-books in Japan is no surprise. To my mind it is a quintessential Japanese medium, an incarnation of so much that I like about Japanese cultural production. A photo-book is humble in its scale and intimate in the way it is consumed by the viewer. Even when published in a large format, looking through a
photo-book is a solo activity. The modesty of this scale allows for a broad range of exquisite productions, and as objects that demonstrate the huge possibilities of small press publishing Japanese photo-books are second to none. Likewise, their scale, along with the ease of use and availability of the camera as an artistic medium, allow the individual artist space to take a huge number of unique artistic positions. In this small catalogue can be found scales of the real to surreal, journalistic objectivity to the deeply personal and felt, the conceptual to the vigorously physical.
There are several sub-sections in this grouping, including a small focus on architectural photography connected to the revolutionary Metabolic architects of the 1960s, as well as sections devoted to major practitioners of international renown, such as Hiroshi Sugimoto, Daido Moriyama, and Nobuysohi Araki. There are also two books, Craig McDean’s Sumo and Anna C. Hartshorne’s Japan and Her People, which are not technically Japanese, but which both are, in a sense, Japanese photo-books, the first paying direct homage to the photo-book tradition, and the other an early Western attempt to photograph Japan. I include these in part because the collection here will be presented at the gallery alongside Gideon Rubin: Yōga, an exhibition of paintings of Japan made in the European tradition, by an outsider looking in.
All items are offered subject to availability and I would request that payment is made in advance. While the small number of unusually heavy items may require some special arrangement, I can generally offer free shipping in the UK and for a fee of £25 overseas. If you would like to see some further images or if you have any questions about the items, please don’t hesitate to contact me using the information below.
Fraser Brough Director, CASSIUS&Co.
63 Kinnerton Street, London, SW1X 8ED
0207 235 3354
fb@cassiusandco.com
1. HOSOE, Eikoh. Ba Ra Kei - Ordeal by Roses.
Photographs of Yukio Mishima.
An extraordinary meeting of two of the great artists of postwar Japan, the powerful and tragic writer Yukio Mishima, whose impossible psyche is here given visual form, and photographer Eikoh Hosoe. This is the third iteration of the work, the first thus, published by Aperture in 1985, fifteen years after the writer’s shocking public suicide. A Fine copy, the pages bright and clean throughout and the dust jacket the same, though lacking the original obi.
£400
2. McDEAN, Craig. Sumo.
Pristine copy of British photographer Craig McDean’s photographic investigation into the arcane world of Sumo wrestling, a series of powerful images full of grit and raw strength. Published in a numbered run of 250 of which this is 199, on the occasion of the group’s presentation at Half Gallery, NY, in 2011. An elegant production by Mörel books incorporating a Japanesestyle string binding.
£300
3. KITASONO, Katue. Plastic Poems.
At one time the most well-known and admired Japanese artist-poet in Europe and America (according to LACMA, which presented an exhibition of his work in 2013), though regrettably today neglected, this beautifully-produced catalogue documents the so-called ‘plastic poems’ of Katue Kitasono, Dada-inflected arrangements of objects photographed head-on as though they are haikus, an amazing experimental body of work and one of the more original positions in modern Japanese photography. Fine hardback in slipcase, with original paper wrappers which are a little rumpled at the edges, otherwise Fine throughout. The book includes an English-language insert with a text on the works by professor John Solt, a leading scholar on the artist.
£1,500
4. KITASONO, KATUE. Photographs.
A rare title, this is a useful monograph on Kitasono, with text mostly in Japanese but with an additional section in English also, describing his practice of ‘photography as poetry, poetry as photography’. Published in 2002 by Kokusho Kanko Kai, this is the first edition, hardcover, in a Fine state. £150
5. KANEMURA, Osamu, and ISOZAKI, Arata. Spider’s Strategy.
Arguably one of the most important photobooks of the 21st century, with silvery, ‘spidery’ photographs of Japanese cities published alongside an essay by the New Brutalist/ Metabolist architect Arata Isozaki. This is a bright and clean first edition thus, published by Osiris, Tokyo, in 2001.
£275
6. ed. KELLER, Judith and MADDOX, Amanda. Japan’s Modern Divide. The Photographs of Hiroshi Hamaya and Kansuke Yamamoto.
A remarkable book documenting a perceived divide in postwar Japanese photography through the lens of two major figures, Hiroshi Hamaya and Kansuke Yamamoto, the one pursuing a harsh documentation of daily life and the other taking a position closer to Surrealism. The dust jacket a little wrinkled at the top edge and there is one small tear to the top edge of the first page. The first edition, published on the occasion of the exhibition at the J. Paul Getty Museum in 2013.
£50
7. ed. EQUAL BOOKS. Japan House R.
A hefty compendium of plans, photographs and documentation of 50 Japanese houses by young and leading architects, demonstrating the breadth of creativity and technical mastery of recent Japanese architecture through 800 pages. A near Fine copy, published (and edited) by Equal Books in 2012.
£220
8. MIYAMOTO, Ryuiji and ISOZAKI, Arata. Architectural Apocalypse.
The revised issue of Miyamoto’s classic photographic document of ruins, first issued in 1988 though here appearing in new and edited form. The book contains Metabolic architect Arata
Isozaki’s original text ‘Ruins’ in full, both in Japanese and English. Published by Heibonsha in 2003, Near Fine, though lacking the original obi.
£120
9. KUROKAWA, Kisho. Each One a Hero. The Philosophy of Symbiosis.
A heavy theoretical work by one of the leading architects of the Metabolist movement, in which the author argues that the position of Symbiosis - different things living together to their mutual advantage and necessity - is the definitive attitude to future relations in architecture, politics and economics. Illustrated throughout with black and white photography, this excellent first edition, complete with the original obi, is signed by the author and inscribed to its former owner, the late American writer Fleur Cowles.
£150
10. YAMAMOTO, Yohji. Rewind/ Forward. 238 Fashion Pictures, 1995 - 2000.
A remarkable document compiling 238 photographs of Yamamoto’s groundbreaking fashions, taken by leading photographers including Paolo Roversi, David Sims, Craig McDean and Inez and Vinoodh. Published in a limited run of 2001 copies, complete with original cardboard slipcase, in Near Fine condition, the slipcase with some foxing at the spines, otherwise a pristine copy. Designed by the great M/M Paris.
£250
11. MORIYAMA, Daido. White and Vinegar.
A beautiful production by Match & Co., Tokyo, 2012, featuring a new series of photographic experiments by legendary photographer Daido Moriyama, presented alongside text by the artist, in English with a Japanese translation included in a pamphlet insert. Signed by Moiryama, from an edition of 1200 copies. Virtually pristine aside from one small area of sticker damage to the lower spine of the original cardboard slipcase.
£120
12. MORIYAMA, Daido. Hunter of Light, 1965-2003.
Large retrospective monograph on the iconic photographer, published on the occasion of the traveling exhibition first presented at Shimane Art Museum in 2003. Including documentation of over 400 works, many rarely seen and first published outside of obscure early periodicals here. With text in English and Japanese. First edition, Near Fine, with just the dust jacket slightly bruised but otherwise clean throughout.
£250
13. PHILLIPS, Sandra and MONROE, Alexandra. Daido Moriyama: Stray Dog.
Hardcover first edition of the catalogue for the 1999 retrospective exhibition of Daido Moriyama held at SFMOMA. Among the earliest publications on this crucial artist to have appeared in English, with textual contributions from the curator and leading Japanese art scholar Alexandra Monroe. An excellent copy, with the original obi.
£150
14. Hiroshima Nagasaki - Document 1961.
Published by the Japan Council Against the A and H Bombs, this is the 1st (only) edition this amazing document, which includes photographic and painterly contributions by a large number of artists including Ken Domon and Shomei Tomatsu, as well as more scientific texts on the devastating effects of radiation and the impact of the atomic bombs dropped on Japan in 1945. Super rare in this state, which is complete as issued, including the cardboard slipcase, hardcover book of (mostly) plates, and two paper slips with the texts in English and Japanese.
£5,200
15.
TOMATSU, Fuji. Esumi.
A sublime photo-book of haunting nude photographs of Japanese actress Esumi Makiko. The first edition, softcover, published by Little More, Tokyo, in 1996. Near Fine, the endpapers a little marked but otherwise Fine. £95
16. NOMURA, Sakiko. Kuroyami (Black Darkness).
A collection of photographs of nudes that are almost impossible to see, the artist using darkness instead of light as the primary carrier of her images. Published in a large format by Akio Nagasawa, Tokyo, this is the first edition, 2008, in Fine condition.
£200
17. ISHIUCHI, Miyako. 1947.
A typically thoughtful and elegiac work that presents the artist’s photographs of the hands and feet of women born in 1947. With texts in both English and Japanese, this is a Fine first edition, published by IPC in 1990, and is signed by the artist.
£750
18.
UEDA, Shoji. Return Orbit.
A sublime production. 3 volumes of loose plates, presented without text or context, all with a quiet, delicate softness. Ueda took the images with a Polaroid camera, and the works were originally presented as an exhibition at the Polaroid Gallery, Tokyo, in 1986. Privately published, in a numbered run of 1000 of which this is 174. Fine, the corrugated cardboard slipcase intact, and signed by the artist.
£3,500
19. NAGATSUKA, Seishi. Maiwai, Folk Art of Japan’s Kuroshio.
A beautiful and rare book of photographs (including texts in Japanese and English) by Seishi Nagatsuka that document the art of Maiwai, a traditional fisherman’s coat that is embroidered with elaborate, stylised designs. This is the 1st edition, published by Iwasaki Bijutsusha in 1992. A lovely copy of this highly scarce publication.
£300
20. SHINOYAMA, Kishin. The World of Bando Tamasaburo.
A large-scale and beautifully-produced photographic ode to Bando Tamasaburo, one of the leading actors in the world of Kabuki theatre and one of the most celebrated to specialise in playing female roles. Published by Asahi Shimbun in 1988. A smart copy, the first edition, with the original cardboard slipcase intact and including the original obi. A beautiful work.
£150
21. KONAMI, Jiro. Looking at my Father.
Konami is known mostly as a fashion photographer, but here offers a moving portrait of his father coming to the end of his life in the classic photo-book tradition. 112pp, softcover, published by Tycoon, 2013, in a limited run of 700. Signed and dated by the artist, in Fine condition.
£75
22. WASHIO, Kazuhiko. On the Horizon.
Beautiful photo-book by the Contemporary photographer Washio Kazuhiko, published on the occasion of the group’s exhibition at Nikon Salon. With original photographs and text in the form of ‘photographer’s notes’ by the artist in Japanese, with an English translation included in a loose pamphlet insert. First edition, published by One Drops, 2012. Fine. £50
23. MIYAMOTO, Ryuji. Cardboard Houses.
A well-known work in which the artist known as the ‘ruins photographer’ (for his work Architectural Apocalypse (item 8) and documentation of the 1995 Kobe Earthquake) photographed the dwellings of Tokyo’s expanding homeless population as architectural structures in the 1980s and 90s. First edition, first printing, published by Bearlin, Kobe, in 2013. In Fine condition.
£250
24. WASHIO, Michio. City of Primary Colours 19831988, South Korea.
The Japanese photo-journalist’s ode to the major cities of South Korea in the mid 1980s, in which he turns his academicallyinformed Japanese photographic eye on the country’s neighbour. This is the hardback first edition, in Fine condition, published by IPC in 1990.
£120
25. ARAKI, Nobuyoshi. Tokyo Lucky Hole.
Perhaps the salacious photographer’s most notorious work, documenting the heady Shinjuku red light district in the early 1980s, a scene in which the artist was a frequent participant. First edition, published by Ota Shuppan in 1990. Overall a nice copy, though with the dust jacket a little faded at the spine and with some foxing to its reverse, and lacking the original obi.
£300
26. ARAKI, Nobuyoshi. Viaggio Sentimentale.
Large 4to, 240pp. A Near Fine copy of the first edition of this broad retrospective exhibition held at the Museo Pecci in Prato. Installed in reverse chronological order, and with a focus on Araki’s iconic early work Sentimental Journey, a document of his own honeymoon, from which the exhibition takes its name.
£350
27. ARAKI, Nobuyoshi. The Works of Nobuyoshi Araki (20 volumes).
Twenty volumes of the works of the notorious Japanese photographer, from the erotic to the sentimental (and surprisingly tender) ones. This is the full set, published in 1997 by Hibonisha, Tokyo, and is effectively a catalogue raisonné of the artist’s production until that time. The first volume is signed by the artist, and the collection is in excellent condition.
£3,000
28. SUGIMOTO, Hiroshi. Conceptual Forms.
An excellent copy of the illustrated catalogue for the 2004 exhibition of works by the great Japanese photographer Hiroshi Sugimoto held at the Fondation Cartier pour l’art Contemporain in Paris. This was the first museum presentation of the body of work known as Conceptual Forms: large scale photographs of antique mathematical models, used to help students visualise complex trigonometric functions in the 19th century. The series was created in part in response to Marcel Duchamp’s The Bride Stripped Bare by Her Bachelors, Even.
£300
29. SUGIMOTO, Hiroshi. Sugimoto.
The scarce catalogue for the exhibition held at two venues in 1996, the Hara Museum of Contemporary Art, Tokyo and the Contemporary Arts Museum in Houston, with texts in English by Dana Friis-Hansen and Atsuo Yasuda. The first edition, softcover, published by the museums in 1996. Near Fine, the cover just a little turned up.
£300
30. BROUGHER, Kerry and ELLIOT, David. Hiroshi Sugimoto.
Published on the occasion of the artist’s traveling retrospective, which was presented at the Hirshhorn Museum, Washington D.C, and the Mori Art Museum, Tokyo, in 2006. A significant hardcover monograph documenting Sugimoto’s most iconic bodies of work, including the seascapes, movie theatres, dioramas and mathematical instruments, as well as his architectural projects. This is the 368pp hardcover first edition, first printing, in a Near Fine state, with just a minor wrinkling to the top edge of the dust jacket, otherwise clean and bright throughout.
£350
31. YAMAZAKI, Hiroshi. Horizon.
One of the conceptual photographer’s two major works, here focusing on the horizon (the other on the sun), and thus interesting to consider in the context of Sugimoto. A Fine copy of the first edition, published in 1989 by Rikuyo-Sha. Signed and dated by the artist. A highly scarce item.
£300
32. ISHIUCHI, Miyako. Hiroshima.
Miyako Ishiuchi’s thoughtful and moving elegy to the victims of the the Hiroshima bombing, a series of beautiful and ghostly photographs of clothes that were later recovered from the city, the bodies that were in them dissolved. This is the first edition in Fine condition, with the original obi.
£175
33. KAWAUCHI, Rinko. Illuminance.
First edition of the renowned photographer’s first international publication, presented in this 163pp hardcover. The images, famed for their extraordinary delicacy, find wonder and ‘illuminance’ in the detail of the ordinary in a manner that is both poetic and expressive. A Fine copy, published by Aperture in 2011.
£250
34. HARTSHORNE, Anna. Japan and Her People.
First UK edition in Fine condition of this two-volume study of Japan by Anna C. Hartshorne, published in 1904. Includes fifty original photogravures and descriptions of Japanese cities, as well as the country’s customs, traditions and history, made and taken by this early Western visitor. Exquisite gilt cover on green-blue cloth depicting flying cranes.
£450
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