KAMAITACHI

• Expanded Content: Includes four previously unpublished images, enriching the narrative and providing a more immersive experience for collectors and art enthusiasts.
• Scholarly Perspectives: Essays by Donald Keene and Shuzo Takiguchi contextualize the work within Japanese culture and its enduring artistic legacy.
• Refined Design: Reimagined by renowned graphic designer Ikko Tanaka shortly before his passing, preserving the aesthetic integrity of the original while incorporating contemporary elements.
• High-Quality Presentation: Produced by Aperture, a leading name in art publishing, this photobook features exceptional printing and binding quality, enhancing its value as a collectible.
• Generous Format: Measuring 9.8 x 0.8 x 12.9 inches (24.89 x 2.03 x 32.77 cm), the large format amplifies the visual impact of Hosoe’s striking black-and-white photography.

Kamaitachi, a landmark photobook by Eikoh Hosoe, emerges as a fusion of mythology, performance art, and photography, capturing one of the most celebrated artistic collaborations in Japanese visual history. Conceived during a visit to Tatsumi Hijikata’s rural hometown in northern Japan, the series portrays the butoh dancer embodying the kamaitachi, a mythical weasel-like spirit known for its whirlwind appearances and enigmatic nature.

Published in English by Aperture, this 2009 edition revisits Hosoe’s original 1969 masterpiece, presenting 112 pages of high-contrast, black-and-white photographs that juxtapose the surreal movements of Hijikata with the stark beauty of Japan’s countryside.

Key Highlights:

• Mythical Performances: Tatsumi Hijikata’s avant-garde butoh interpretations bring the kamaitachi legend to life, blending intense physicality with an ethereal, otherworldly presence.
• Enriched Visual Storytelling: Four additional photographs in this edition deepen the narrative, providing fresh insights into the interplay between performance and photography.
• Cultural Immersion: Set amidst 1960s rural Japan, the photobook captures candid moments of village life alongside avant-garde artistry, creating a poignant reflection of tradition and modernity.
• Haunting Imagery: Hosoe’s stark black-and-white photography heightens the surreal and theatrical essence of the series, making each frame a timeless and evocative work of art.
• Enduring Legacy: This reissue expands access to one of Japan’s most iconic photobooks, ensuring its influence continues to resonate with new generations of artists and enthusiasts.

Through its striking visuals and interdisciplinary approach, Kamaitachi transcends the boundaries of traditional photobooks. This poetic and collaborative work remains a cornerstone of Japanese culture, offering a profound exploration of myth, humanity, and the ephemeral beauty of performance.

Are you ready to immerse yourself in this extraordinary visual journey, where folklore and avant-garde artistry converge?