
Photography and Japan
Karen Fraser(Author)
Reaktion Books (Publisher)
Published on 1. April 2011
Book
Paperback/Softback
176 pages
978-1-86189-797-8 (ISBN)
Description
What defines Japanese photography? Is there a distinctive Japanese photographic aesthetic? In Photography and Japan, Karen M. Fraser argues that the diversity of styles, subjects and functions of Japanese photography precludes easy categorization along nationalized lines. Rather, the development of photography within Japan is best understood by examining its close relationship with the country's dramatic history.
This book traces 150 years of photography, a period during which Japan has experienced some of the most significant events in modern history: a remarkable transformation from an isolated, feudal country into an industrialized, modern world power during the late nineteenth century, an equally striking rise and fall as an imperial power during the ?rst half of the twentieth century, and a miraculous economic recovery in the decades following the utter devastation of World War Two. The history of photography has paralleled these events, becoming inextricably linked with notions of modernity and cultural change from the time it first arrived in the mid-nineteenth century.
The author considers this intertwined history by tracing the intersection of photog-raphy and social history, focusing on the role of the camera in documenting key cultural and political events and in exploring social responses to cultural change. Thematic chapters that focus on photography's role in negotiating cultural identity, war photog-raphy and the documentation of urban life introduce many photographs that will be unfamiliar to Western viewers, and provide a broadened cultural context for more well-known images.
This book traces 150 years of photography, a period during which Japan has experienced some of the most significant events in modern history: a remarkable transformation from an isolated, feudal country into an industrialized, modern world power during the late nineteenth century, an equally striking rise and fall as an imperial power during the ?rst half of the twentieth century, and a miraculous economic recovery in the decades following the utter devastation of World War Two. The history of photography has paralleled these events, becoming inextricably linked with notions of modernity and cultural change from the time it first arrived in the mid-nineteenth century.
The author considers this intertwined history by tracing the intersection of photog-raphy and social history, focusing on the role of the camera in documenting key cultural and political events and in exploring social responses to cultural change. Thematic chapters that focus on photography's role in negotiating cultural identity, war photog-raphy and the documentation of urban life introduce many photographs that will be unfamiliar to Western viewers, and provide a broadened cultural context for more well-known images.
Reviews / Votes
This informative overview of the history of photography in Japan avoids the pitfall of attempting to discover and define a national Japanese photographic style. Instead it examines the topic along thematic lines as defined by significant cultural, political, and social concerns . . . a very good introduction and more comprehensive than other popular books on the topic . . . nicely illustrated throughout. Highly recommended. * <i>Choice</i> *More details
Series
Language
English
Place of publication
London
United Kingdom
Target group
College/higher education
Illustrations
104 illustrations, 70 in colour
Dimensions
Height: 190 mm
Width: 220 mm
ISBN-13
978-1-86189-797-8 (9781861897978)
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Schweitzer Classification
Person
Karen M. Fraser is Assistant Professor at Santa Clara University in California.