Eikoh Hosoe
photographer
Eikoh Hosoe (1933–2024) was a prominent Japanese photographer and filmmaker known for his experimental approach to photography in post-WWII Japan. He emerged as a key figure in the avant-garde arts movement, often exploring psychologically charged themes such as death, eroticism, and irrationality through high-contrast black and white imagery. Hosoe is well-known for his collaborations with writer Yukio Mishima and dancer Tatsumi Hijikata. His work frequently references religion, philosophy, and mythology, while also incorporating abstract elements. He co-founded the 'Vivo' collective in 1959 and served as the director of the Kiyosato Museum of Photographic Arts starting in 1995. Hosoe received numerous accolades, including a Special Award from the Photographic Society of Japan (2002) and an Honorary Fellowship from the Royal Photographic Society (2003).[1,3,4,5]
- death
- eroticism
- irrationality
- religion
- philosophy
- mythology
Books
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A dog's guide to Tokyo€87.00 -
Black Sun: The eyes of four€31.00 -
Embrace€268.00
Works by Eikoh Hosoe
- 1960 Man and Woman # 24 Reference to his early abstract work.
- 1969 Kamaitachi Collaboration with Tatsumi Hijikata.
- 1961 Killed by Roses (Ordeal by Roses) Collaborative work with Yukio Mishima.
- 1969 A Dog's Guide to Tokyo Collaboration with Betty Jean Lifton.
- 1985 A Place Called Hiroshima Collaboration with Betty Jean Lifton.
- 1970 Return to Hiroshima Collaboration with Betty Jean Lifton.
- 1971 Embrace (Hōyō) Collaboration with Yukio Mishima.
- 2007 Deadly ashes: Pompeii, Auschwitz, Trinity Site, Hiroshima
Exhibitions
- 1992 Eikoh Hosoe: Meta
- Eikoh Hosoe: ukiyo-e projections
Awards
- 2002 Special Award
- 2003 Special 150th Anniversary Medal and Honorary Fellowship (HonFRPS)