Nobuyoshi Araki: Self, Life, Death (Hardcover)

by Akiko Miki (Author), Yoshiko Isshiki (Author), Tomoko Sato (Author)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description
Nobuyoshi Araki is the most controversial photographer working in the world today. To his critics, he is no more than a pornographer and a misogynist; to his supporters he is a radical and a revolutionary, a figure who has challenged not just artistic limits, but social limits in post-war Japan. At home, he is a national celebrity. In the West he is considerably less understood. This is the book that will explain Araki. In its sheer range of text and images, it is also the most comprehensive volume ever to be published on his life's work.

About the Author
Ian Jeffrey is a photography writer, lecturer and curator. His other books include The Photography Book also published by Phaidon, Portraits of Artists (2000) and Revisions: An Alternative History of Photography (1999) Akiko Miki is a curator at the Palais de Tokyo, Paris and contributor to art magazines including Bijutsu Techo, Studio Voice, Tema Celeste and Exit Express. Yoshiko Isshiki has been working with Araki for over 10 years and has been closely involved in all exhibitions of Araki's work in Europe. Tomoko Sato is a curator at the Barbican Art Gallery, London, where she has organized and curated a wide range of exhibitions. She has edited and published a number of books and catalogues.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 720 pages
• Publisher: Phaidon Press (October 1, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0714845558
• ISBN-13: 978-0714845555
• Product Dimensions: 11.4 x 8.8 x 2.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 6.9 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #868,667 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

20 of 21 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent Overview, April 21, 2006

By	Joshua Weiner (Brooklyn, NY USA) - See all my reviews

My back still aches from carrying the damn thing home with me from the office which should give you an idea of just how comprehensive the work is.

The initial impression that most people have of Araki is that he's a dirty, dirty old man.

Which is true.

More importantly, he's someone who has documented every aspect of his life through photography. As much as people will focus on the sexual aspects of Araki's work, its just a part of the larger body of work which quite simply, includes everything. The book does an excellent job of selecting some highlights from an immense body of work produced by everyone's favorite dirty uncle. I have yet to extensively go through the interviews and writing but they provide a nice insight into his process and philosophy of photography.

18 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Anthology well worth the time, March 19, 2006

By	Apollo Clark "photographer" (Chicago, IL USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This review is from: Nobuyoshi Araki: Self, Life, Death: Limited Edition (Hardcover)

If you've heard of Nobuyoshi Araki, want to get to know him, or are a little curious, this is the perfect book to look at. It is an anthology of his career, with a preface interview, history of each of his major releases, every well known shot, all presented in a highquality book.

Araki is a prolific artist who helped define Japans photographic conscience. Starting as most professional photographers do working for an ad agency, he spent his free time creating photos to express his past, environment, and passions, all tinged with his sense of playful rebellion. I would also highly suggest getting Araki by Araki, a compilation done by him of his favorite works. There is also a documentary based on him called Arakimentary that gives a true look at what kind of person he is. I first heard of him from my art teacher, browsed the local book stores, and was amazed. Above all, he wants to have fun and challenge convention, but doesn't give his art any esoteric meaning. His work is very controversial, but by todays decency standards in America, is very tame. His work includes traditional portraits, capturing the playfulness of children, architecture of Tokyo as it was developing post-war, flowers distorted to look like abominations, the sex scene of the early 90's, a tribute to his wife after her death from cancer, intimate nude portraits of beautiful women, and shots of everyday life in Tokyo.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars your best buy, January 28, 2009

By	reading guy "reader" (dc) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Nobuyoshi Araki: Self, Life, Death: Limited Edition (Hardcover)

Most Araki has been published - there is very little new stuff out there. And so whatever books you buy will be redundant. For instance, this book is almost identical in content to the huge Taschen edition also listed. BUT this is far superior in quality. I compared both side by side in a bookstore and I assure you that the reproductions in this edition are far superior - the other one the colors are not consistent. Also, the overall quality of this product - such as the denisty of the page stock and binding, is much better with this book than with Taschen. So, if you're choosing what to buy, I'd suggest this is your best bet.