Tomatsu Shomei - Tomatsu Shomei 東松照明 - 1999

Shomei Tomatsu – Works 1950–1998 – Limited Edition of 1,000 Copies – Gallery Nii – 1999

Item Description
An attractive and collectible photographic exhibition catalogue featuring the work of Shomei Tomatsu (1930–2012), one of the most influential figures in postwar Japanese photography.

Published in August 1999 by Gallery Nii in Japan, Shomei Tomatsu: Works 1950–1998 was produced in a limited print run of only 1,000 copies, making it a particularly interesting publication for collectors of Japanese photography, rare photobooks, and twentieth-century photographic art.

The publication presents a carefully curated selection of 23 representative photographs spanning nearly five decades of Tomatsu's artistic career, from the early 1950s through the late 1990s.

Rather than functioning as a conventional retrospective, this intimate catalogue introduces the extraordinary range of Tomatsu's photographic vision through seven thematic sections: Light and Shadow in Post-War Japan, Nagasaki, Okinawa, Kyoto, Cherry Blossoms, Making Photo, and Interface.

The selection reflects Tomatsu's profound engagement with the transformation of Japanese society following World War II. His photographs explore the complex relationship between history, memory, modernization, everyday life, and the enduring cultural consequences of war.

Among the works reproduced are powerful black-and-white images of postwar Japan, experimental photographic compositions, scenes of traditional Japanese culture, and vivid color photographs demonstrating the remarkable evolution of his artistic expression.

Particularly notable are the works associated with Nagasaki and Okinawa, two central subjects in Tomatsu's career. His photographic investigations of these places helped establish a new visual language for examining the impact of war, American influence, and Japan's changing identity.

The catalogue also includes examples of his later color photography, revealing a distinctive sensitivity to color, texture, natural forms, and the unexpected beauty of ordinary surroundings.

The elegant presentation, with generous white margins and carefully positioned photographs, emphasizes the artistic character of each image and allows the viewer to appreciate Tomatsu's distinctive approach to photographic composition.

Photographic captions are provided in both Japanese and English, making the publication accessible to an international audience.

The volume also contains biographical and chronological material documenting the development of Tomatsu's career and his important contributions to Japanese photographic history.

Published by Gallery Nii in August 1999 and printed by Shosando in Japan, the catalogue was issued in an edition of only 1,000 copies, as explicitly stated in the publication details.

This is an appealing collector's item for admirers of Shomei Tomatsu, Japanese postwar photography, documentary photography, and historically important Japanese photobooks.

Artist Profile
Shomei Tomatsu (1930–2012), born in Nagoya, Japan, was one of the most important and internationally influential Japanese photographers of the twentieth century.

Beginning his photographic career in the early 1950s, Tomatsu developed a groundbreaking visual style that combined documentary observation with experimental composition, symbolism, and personal expression.

His photographs became closely associated with the transformation of postwar Japan, particularly the lingering consequences of the atomic bombing of Nagasaki, the American military presence, and the changing cultural identity of Japanese society.

In 1959, he was among the founding members of the influential Japanese photographic collective VIVO, alongside photographers including Eikoh Hosoe, Ikko Narahara, Kikuji Kawada, Akira Sato, and Akira Tanno.

His landmark photobooks include 11:02 Nagasaki, Oh! Shinjuku, Okinawa, and I Am a King.

Tomatsu's approach to photography had a profound influence on subsequent generations of Japanese photographers, including artists associated with the experimental photography movements of the 1960s and 1970s.

His work has been exhibited internationally and is represented in major museum collections, including the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) in New York.

Today, Tomatsu is recognized as a pioneering figure whose photographs transformed the visual understanding of modern Japanese history and helped establish Japanese photography as an important force in international contemporary art.

Size
Approx. H 29.5 × W 21.5 cm
36 pages

Publication: Shomei Tomatsu – Works 1950–1998
Publisher: Gallery Nii, Japan
Printing: Shosando Co., Ltd.
Publication date: August 1999 – Heisei 11 (1999)
Limited print run: 1,000 copies
Photographic captions in Japanese and English.
Printed in Japan.

Condition: (Please refer to the photos for details)
- This is a vintage / pre-owned item.
- Due to age and previous use, there may be signs of wear such as scratches, stains, discoloration, or creases.
- Please note that vintage items may have a distinctive smell due to long-term storage or materials used.
Sensitivity to such odors may vary from person to person and from country to country.
- We try to describe the condition as accurately as possible, but perceptions may differ depending on individual standards.
- Colors may appear slightly different depending on your monitor or lighting when the photos were taken.
- Please purchase only if you understand and appreciate the unique characteristics of vintage items.


Shipping
The lot will be carefully packaged and shipped from Japan by Japan Post or DHL, depending on the circumstances. Delivery normally takes approximately 2–3 weeks.

To help protect the environment, recycled materials such as cardboard and newspapers may be used for packaging.

Import duties, VAT, taxes and customs clearance fees are not included in the item price or shipping cost. These charges are the buyer’s responsibility.
Please note that, from 1 July 2026, the EU applies a €3 customs duty per item to low-value imports of up to €150.

Customs authorities or the delivery company may contact you by telephone or email. Please respond promptly and complete any required payment or customs procedure. Otherwise, the parcel may be delayed or returned, and additional shipping costs will be charged for reshipment.

Thank you for your understanding and cooperation.