Taka Ishii Gallery is pleased to announce our publication of photographer Nakaji Yasui’s portfolio of modern prints. Nakaji Yasui, whom from the 1920s to the early 1940s based his practice within the Kansai area, is one of the leading figures within the history of Pre-war Japanese photography. Photographic practice developed in Japan with an inclination towards globalism and contemporaneousness; Yasui enthusiastically incorporated various current art theoretical positions and was involved in deep contemplation with regards to the application of varied discourse within the Japan of his time. His trajectory, which has had a great influence on important contemporary photographers such as Daido Moriyama, does not limit itself to photography, but through its vision prompts further consideration of modern art. The exhibition Nakaji Yasui: The Photography (The Shoto Museum of Art / Nagoya City Art Museum, 2004-2005) reconfirmed Yasui’s position, and the publication of the portfolio will allow for further recognition of his work on a broader, more global scale. Yasui in life produced a very limited number of prints in comparison to his contemporaries. Out of the existing works, the portfolio will include 30 modern prints as well as a selection of Yasui’s representative works, ‘Displaced Jews’, and ‘Yamane Circus’ series. Through the works included we will introduce Yasui’s artistic recherché.

“Nakaji Yasui Portfolio”
Publication: Taka Ishii Gallery
Editorial Supervision: Yuri Mitsuda (Curator at The Shoto Museum of Art)
Cooperation: Nakao Yasui and Hyogo Prefectural Museum of Art
Print Production: Kazuyoshi Hidai (GINYUDO)
Number of Works: Total of 30 pieces　　Print Size: 432 x 356mm
Texts by Daido Moriyama and Yuri Mitsuda(Japanese and English)
Commentary and biography (Japanese and English)
Translation by Lynette Hins
Publication Edition of 15
Retail price: JPY 1,500,000. (excl. tax)