Photographer Masahisa Fukase (1934–2012) carved out a unique place in the history of Japanese photography in the 1960s by focusing on his personal life. He pointed his camera at those in his immediate surroundings: his wife, Yoko, his extended family, his cat. Yet, while exposing his own life through a loving gaze and carefree sense of humour, he simultaneously set about exploring the madness deep within himself. Fukase’s career was tragically cut short when he suffered a fall in 1992, subsequently suffering severe memory impairment and aphasia. He never took another photograph.
This photobook, published to accompany a large-scale retrospective at the Tokyo Photographic Museum, offers a comprehensive look at the entire oeuvre of master photographer Masahisa Fukase. Revered for his relentless experimentation, his unique perspective and his focus on his own private life as the subject of his photography, Fukase’s work has left a lasting impact on the Japanese photography world.
Featuring eight series, including his masterpiece “Karasu (Raven)” “Bukubuku” “Family” “Homo Ludence” “Sasuke” “Walking Eye” “Private Scenes” and, most notably, the first photobook appearance of the series “Yoko” since its original publication in 1978, this book traces Fukase’s work between the 1960s and early 1990s to provide a new audience with access into Masahisa Fukase’s unique visual world.
216 p, ills colour & bw, 15 x 22 cm, hb, Japanese/English
