Hiroh Kikai - Asakusa Portraits - 2008

Published by ICP and Steidl, Hiroh Kikai's Asakusa Portraits contains a selection of the 600 images Kikai has taken since 1973. Including an introduction by Christpoher Philips and an essay by cultural historian Hiromichi Hosoma, Asakusa Portraits brilliantly captures Kikai's ongoing project, depicting individuals in and amongst the crowds of people who congregate and wander the Asakusa area. Working with a handheld Hasselblad and using only natural light, Kikai spends no more than ten minutes with each subject, capturing their body language, attire and entire physical expression throughout the brief encounter. Here Kikai's approach and interest within humanity and its universal attributes are explored. Using only the vermilion walls of Asakusa's Senjoji Temple as a backdrop, Kikai captures the very essence of each sitter within his photographs. Present within each portrait is the everyday man and woman taking on the leading role, none similar to the next but all sharing the commonality of being singularly unique individuals.