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NARAHARA Ikko. Japanesque (1970)



NARAHARA Ikko. Japanesque. Tokyo : Mainichi Shimbun-sha (Camera Mainichi Zubu Soshuhen), 1970. Edition originale / First edition. — AVAILABLE: see STOCKLIST for pricing

Description — In-folio (37 x 26,5 x 2 cm), (148) p., 1.3 kg.
Pict. hardcover, slipcase, 101 color and b&w pictures. "The Soul of a Japanese" by Masakazu YAMAZAKI, "Journey to A Land So Near And Yet So Far" by Ikko NARAHARA, Biography, in English and Japanese.
Cartonnage ill., étui, 101 photographies coul. et n&b. "The Soul of a Japanese" par Masakazu YAMAZAKI, "Journey to A Land So Near And Yet So Far" par Ikko NARAHARA, Biographie, en anglais et japonais.

État / ConditionSee STOCKLIST

Remarques & avis / ReviewIkko NARAHARA's Japanesque is a superb review of the Western clichés about Japan. In 1966 Narahara returned from 2 years in Europe and began his attempt to reappropriate his native land, which ended in 1969 with this "vortex of his deep affection for and irritation at" the Japanese culture (Yamazaki). Much attention and thought have been put into the arrangement and the shots have been dealt with in a resolute modern manner : contrasted black (zen, sumo) mix with bright colors (courtesans), blur and movement (katana, awa dance) with superb shots where time has stopped (noh), abundance and Warhol-like repetition (Fuji, samurai) with elegant an bare simplicity (courtesans, katana). The same diversity runs through the series themselves, which contributes to the impressive richness of this beautiful and large volume and work of art of late 1960s Japanese photography. Uncommon in fine condition.

Le Japanesque de NARAHARA Ikko est une superbe revue des clichés occidentaux à propos du Japon. Narahara, en 1966, revenait de deux ans passés en Europe, et commença une tentative de réappropriation de son pays d'origine, qui aboutit en 1969, avec ce "tourbillon de son profond attachement pour et de son irritation envers" la culture japonaise (Yamazaki). L'arrangement est très pensé et le traitement des photos résolument moderne : le noir contrasté (zen, sumo) côtoie de chatoyantes couleurs (courtisanes), le flou et mouvement (katana, awa odori) de superbes clichés de temps figé (nô), l'abondance et répétition à la Warhol (Fuji, samurai) l'épure (courtisanes, katana). La même diversité se retrouve à l'intérieur de chaque série, qui contribue à l'impressionnante richesse de ce beau et grand volume et chef d'œuvre de la photographie japonaise de la fin des années 1960. Peu courant en bon état.

Divers / Misc. — Table of contents: Fuji-san / Katana Swords / Noh - Nô / Zen / Courtesans - Courtisanes / Sumo / Awa Dance / Samurai Age

Une part des photos de Japanesque fut reprise, en format de taille supérieure, dans : NARAHARA Ikko, Chikakute Harukana Tabi (1979)
Part of the pictures of Japanesque are also entailed, in a larger size, in: NARAHARA Ikko, Chikakute Harukana Tabi (1979).


Ref.: KANEKO VARTANIAN, Japanese Photobooks, 124-129
History of Japanese Contemporary Photography 1945-1970 (1975), '67-'68


































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