Visions of Japan

by Nobuyoshi Araki

Although only recently recognized by American and European audiences, the Japanese photographer Nobuyoshi Araki is a cult figure in his birthplace. His predominantly black-and-white images always revolve around Tokyo, the preferred stage for his photography, which explores life 'in the shadow of death'. In addition to his trademark nudes, Tokyo Nouvelle is a kaleidoscope of images that capture the spirit of Tokyo through still lifes, architecture, and everyday objects.

Genres: Photography

96 pages, Hardcover

Published May 2, 1998

About the author

Nobuyoshi Araki is a Japanese photographer and contemporary artist. He is also known by the nickname Arākī.

Araki studied photography during his college years and then went to work at the advertising agency Dentsu, where he met his future wife, the essayist Yōko Araki. After they were married, Araki published a book of pictures of his wife taken during their honeymoon titled Sentimental Journey. She later died in 1990. Pictures taken during her last days were published in a book titled Winter Journey.

Having published over 350 books (and still more every year) Araki is considered one of the most prolific artists alive or dead in Japan and around the world. Many of his photographs are erotic; some have been called pornographic. Some of his most popular photography books are Sentimental Journey, Tokyo Lucky Hole, and Shino. He also contributed photography to the Sunrise anime series Brain Powerd.

The Icelandic musician Björk is an admirer of Araki's work, and served as one of his models. At her request he photographed the cover and inner sleeve pages of her 1997 remix album, Telegram.

Araki's life and work were the subject of Travis Klose's 2005 documentary film Arakimentari.

Reviews

[emanumela · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 ⭐️

[David Marsh · Rating 2 out of 5]

At times he is a poet and, at other times, a pornographer. I don't understand how this is all the work of the same photographer, for a few pictures are of immense grace and then the majority of it is banal, lame, the domain of the scum of the earth.

[Ted · Rating 3 out of 5]

Many photographs are from other Araki publications.