Daido Moriyama - Light and Shadow (Hikari to Kage)

Tokyo: Kodansha, 2009. Reprint of DM's 6th book (1982). Paperback. New/New. Kodansha, Tokyo. 2009. First pocket book edition, first printing.

Paperback with bellyband (as issued). 115 x 180 mm. 208 pages. Photos: Daido Moriyama. Text in English and Japanese.

Wonderful reproduction of one of Moriyama's seminal bodies of work - in perfect condition. Brilliant, highly sought-after pocket book version (sold out very quickly) of the same-named legendary original, Daido Moriyama's title from 1982, Daido Moriyama's sixth book, one of his key books, following the publications like "Shashin yo Sayonara (Farewell, Photography)" or "Karyudo (A Hunter)", both published in 1972, Moriyama experienced a crisis of creative confidence and largely stopped taking photographs for several years. In 1981 he began taking photographs seriously again, attempting to capture light simply and directly. Shashin Jidai magazine serialised some of these new pictures, and the entire series is published here in Hikari to Kage, which also contains Moriyama's first collection of writings on photography.

Brandnew and complete - with the original bellyband.

"And then on that certain day I noticed that within my surroundings there is only myself, the one who is standing still, the camera, which is covered in dust, and the sun.
On this sunny morning, when I suddenly recognized this fact, a critical point inside me came into existence.
I took my camera and returned without hesitation into the light.
There was my shadow beneath my eyes.
This alone was plenty."
- Daido Moriyama -

Previous editions are all sold out and very rare. This is a great addition to any avid fans or someone looking to own a copy of this body of work at a reduced price. The photobook marked Moriyama's return to photography. Ten years after his previous photobook publication and three years after he basically stopped photographing altogether. As a result, "Light and Shadow" also marks an evolution in Moriyama's photography. So, with the moodiness of earlier works replaced by a clearer focus on objects and the early bure-boke having evolved into a richer, high-contrast style.

Daidō Moriyama is a Japanese photographer, born in 1938 in Osaka. Firstly, he studied photography before moving to Tokyo in 1961. To begin with, he worked as an assistant to Eikoh Hosoe, a Japanese photographer and filmmaker. As a result, he began to produce his own collection of photographs. Afterwards, he ended up depicting the forgotten areas and darker side of cities. Shortly after, Japan Photo-critics awarded him the New Artist Award. Hence, Moriyama's images are now known for capturing the breakdown of Japanese tradition. His work captures life during and following the American occupation of Japan after World War II. In particular the effects of industrialisation and the consequential shift in urban life. His images focus on the areas left behind in a rapidly changing city. He received the Infinity Award for Lifetime Achievement from the International Center of Photography in New York in 2004 as well as the Hasselblad Award in 2019.