First edition. Numerous photographic plates. Japanese text. Large 8vo. Original boards in dustjacket, a fine copy. Tokyo, Akaaka, 2010.
This is the best overview of Nojima Yasuzo’s (1889-1964) work: In 1909 he entered Keio University but had to break off his studies due to poor health. In the following years he was active both as a painter and a photographer an in 1915 he opened a photographic studio in Nihonbashi. He was strongly influenced by the German travelling exhibition ‘Film und Foto’ that came to Japan in 1931. Standing at the cross-roads of pictorialism and ‘new photography’ Nojima’s work has a painterly feel while his focus is very modern at the same time. His own style is particularly noticeable in his portraits and bulky nude studies that exude a fresh earthiness far removed from the Ukiyo-e aesthetic. Editor: Ivan Vartanian.
