What's this? Book review of Japanese Photo History Summary book.

Impressions: This is the last book capping a series of 40 books by publisher Iwanami Shoten introducing 40 important Japanese photographers (one book per photographer). Written by Kohtaro Iizawa, Japan's foremost and prolific photo critic, the text is very readable and not too scholarly. It covers all the significant events, movements, trends, and photographers in Japan's 150-year history of photography. The text is sprinkled with good photographs, and the historical account is up-to-date (up to 1998). It even mentions the recent and ongoing phenomenon of teenage girls taking pictures and Nobuyoshi Araki's recent activities.

The book also has an excellent appendix centering on a good chronology of Japanese photography history from 1848 to 1998. It also has an annotated list of all the Japanese photo magazines (with a few cover images) that have ever been published. It includes those that have ceased publication. Then there is a list of all the recipients of major photography awards in Japan (up to 1999). Excellent source for learning about Japan's photography history. (Reviewed by Philbert Ono)

700-5