ヘア (Hair) is more than a visual study—it’s a poetic ode to an intimate aspect of femininity through the lens of Kishin Shinoyama, one of post-war Japan’s most influential photographers. As the inaugural entry in the Photo・Musée series by Shinchōsha, this softcover edition ushered in a new era of accessible photobooks exploring singular visual themes.
Through approximately 150 × 200 mm frames, Shinoyama elevates hair—long overlooked or taken for granted—into an object of beauty and intrigue. His use of color photography, a departure from much of his contemporaries' black-and-white work, highlights the fine interplay of light, shade, and texture. The photographs balance intimacy and abstraction, inviting viewers to contemplate identity, femininity, and allure.
Key Highlights:
- Textural Discovery: Close-ups and dynamic shots transform simple strands into art, showcasing hair’s tactile, almost sculptural qualities.
- Commercial-Photographic Fusion: Shinoyama’s background in commercial photography shines through in polished yet creative compositions.
- Art Series Milestone: As the first volume in Photo・Musée, Hair helped set a precedent for thematic photobooks in Japan.
- Rare & Coveted: Valued by collectors, especially in its second print run, this edition has become a collectible within the photobook community.
- Feminine Tribute: Each image serves as a celebration of personal beauty, autonomy, and the often-underappreciated details of the female form.
In a compact yet captivating package, ヘア (Hair) invites readers to rediscover an element as familiar as hair and as profound as identity. Shinoyama’s visionary framing transforms hair into a timeless subject—simultaneously simple and deeply evocative.
Are you ready to see the everyday reimagined through Kishin Shinoyama’s tender and transformative gaze?
