A Portrait of Shunkin by Junichiro Tanizaki, Photos by Eikoh Hosoe, Signed LE

This is a signed limited edition of "A Portrait of Shunkin” published by the Limited Edition Club in 2000 with a limitation of 300 copies this being number 53. The book features the novella about love, obsession, and sacrifice written by one of Japan’s greatest writers Junichiro Tanizaki and 3 remarkable photographs by Eikoh Hosoe from his “Kimono” series. The “Kimono” series was photographed by Eikoh Hosoe in 1963. There are very few photographs from this series that were ever released to the public. Although it is common now to see a very expressive woman wearing a kimono, back then there were numerous rules on posture and demeanor to be followed by women wearing a kimono. Models were treated as dress-up dolls. Hosoe decided to break the rules and focus on the mind-set of the woman rather than focusing on the kimono itself. There were a total of 6 photographs taken by Hosoe and this book contains 3 of those photographs. They are:

Kimono No. 2, 1963, The Night of a Newly Married Bride

Kimono No. 4, 1963, Hard Times of Marriage

Kimono No. 6, 1963, Widow in Mourning at the Funeral

Measuring approximately 13.25” by 9.5”, the book was hand bound by Bixler in full, soft-pink Japanese cloth with the title label inset to front cover bearing the calligraphy of Shunkei Yahagi. The book is housed in a pink ultra-suede lined, sea-grey silk solander box with a calligraphic label inset to the front cover. The photogravures were printed on heavy-weight mould-made Arches stock by Jon Goodman using the original Eikoh Hose negatives.

The book and solander box are in FINE condition. The book has been signed by Eikoh Hosoe and Shunkei Yahagi on the limitation page.

Photographs of the book and solander box as well as some photographs from the book appear in the photo section of the listing.