Akio Fuji - Bind (Mole, 1992) [First Edition w/ Obi] - 1992

[PRODUCT SPECIFICATIONS]
• Photographer: Akio Fuji (不二 秋夫)
• Title: Bind (バインド)
• Publisher: Mole, Tokyo
• Publication Year: 1992 — True First Edition, First Printing
• Special Attributes: Complete with original obi band featuring endorsement by Masami Akita (Merzbow)
• Language: Japanese (with English title)
• Format: Hardcover with original dust jacket and obi band

[OVERVIEW & ARTISTIC SIGNIFICANCE]
Published in 1992 by Mole—a prestigious Tokyo publisher renowned for issuing pivotal modern Japanese photography monographs—"Bind" is a seminal study of Kinbaku (Japanese rope bondage) by photographer Akio Fuji.

Having served as an assistant to legendary bondage photography master Norio Sugiura, Akio Fuji developed a radical photographic gaze that completely transcends mere erotic spectacle. Capturing subjects in both indoor and striking natural outdoor settings, Fuji transforms the traditional art of rope restraint into a compelling visual exploration of form, tension, geometry, and human emotion.

[CRITICAL ACCLAIM BY MASAMI AKITA (MERZBOW)]
This rare copy includes the original obi band featuring commentary by Masami Akita—the legendary pioneer of Japanese harsh noise music (Merzbow) and author of "150 Years of Nude Photography"

Akita provides a profound endorsement of Akio Fuji's work, redefining the artist's place in photographic history:

• "This is not bondage photography; it is 'Photography of Woman'!"
(「これは緊縛写真ではない『女の写真』だ！」)
• "Akio Fuji's photography is the media through which Japanese SM bondage photography served as a scapegoat to truly become 'Photography'. His work is the true beginning."
(「不二秋夫の『写真』はメディアとして日本のSM緊縛写真が『写真』に成る為のスケープゴートだ。彼の写真が始まりである。」)

As Akita emphasizes, Fuji approaches Kinbaku not as fetishistic documentation, but as pure fine art photography, elevating Japanese subculture into high visual art.

[WHY THIS VOLUME IS A PRIZED COLLECTOR'S ITEM]
• Published by Mole: Mole was at the absolute forefront of 1990s Japanese photography publishing, releasing landmark titles for renowned contemporary photo artists.
• Intact Original Obi Band: Features the highly fragile, original obi strip with prominent commentary by noise music icon Masami Akita (Merzbow).
• Radical Photographic Aesthetic: Seamlessly bridges Japanese underground Kinbaku culture with fine art photography and sophisticated natural lighting.
• Rare First Edition: A hard-to-find 1992 first printing that rarely appears on the European auction market.

[CONDITION REPORT]
• Covers & Binding: Hardcover black silk cloth.binding remains tight, firm, and fully intact.
• Obi Band: Original pink obi strip is present and intact with light, natural edge wear consistent with age.
• Interior & Pages: Age-related tea stains on the edges.otherwise photographic plates and text pages are exceptionally clean, crisp, and well-preserved.

*Please review all high-resolution listing photos carefully to verify exact condition.