Umihito 1977-1988

A photobook by Shinichiro Kobayashi. This volume contains monochromatic works photographed between 1977 and 1988, as he traveled through islands, peninsulas, and seaside villages across Japan.

Since his 1991 work "Tokyo Bay Side," Shinichiro Kobayashi has developed a unique landscape expression, photographing cities and bay areas undergoing repeated cycles of scrap and build, expressways, dams, ruins, Gunkanjima, and more. This book, "Umihito," contains his memories of the seaside, walked by a young Kobayashi each summer, preceding those bodies of work.

Rather than crowded scenic spots, it features sparsely populated, remote seas, islands, ports, and small villages. The sea bathed in sunlight, cumulonimbus clouds, sleeping ports, and the expressions of sunburnt people. The time spent walking along the coast for days with a camera, drawn to the different smells, languages, and lives of the people compared to the city, is captured here.

These works, resurrected in 2008 as a photo exhibition and photobook from negatives long stored in a wooden box, represent a quiet, original landscape in monochrome, different from his later color works and ruin series. It is a crucial volume for understanding Kobayashi's early works, which he himself describes as "my origin."

Contains 125 photographs. The related exhibition, "Chapter 1: Umihito 1977-1988," was held at the Nakata Museum.

[Title] Umihito 1977〜1988
[Publisher] KIN NO HOSHI SHA CO.,LTD.
[Publication Date] September 2008 (First Edition)
[Page Count] 128 pages
[Size] Approx. 220 x 263mm / 718g
[Format] Softcover
[Language] Japanese
[Title Reading] UMIHITO 1977~1988
[Author/Editor, etc.] Shinichiro Kobayashi/Author, Studio Rise Co., Ltd./Book Design, Nobuyuki Kawarazaki/Book Design, Hitomi Nema/Book Design, Yusuke Kimura/Text, Nakata Museum/Cooperation
[Printing] Toppan Printing Co., Ltd./Printing and Binding
[ISBN] 9784323071237
[Condition] Used [7] Very Good (Body: slight stains on top edge)
[Accessories] Obi, 1 flyer
[Featured In] -
[Related Exhibition] "Chapter 1: Umihito 1977-1988" (Nakata Museum, 2008)

Shinichiro Kobayashi (born 1956)

Born in Tokyo. Photographer.

Graduated from Senshu University, Faculty of Economics. After working as a studio and publisher photographer, he became a freelancer and established Studio Rise Co., Ltd. in 1988. In 1991, he published "Tokyo Bay Side," and since then, he has photographed Japanese landscapes from his unique perspective, focusing on cities, bay areas, factories, ruins, and Gunkanjima.

In 1991, he received the 28th Heibonsha Semi-Taiyo Award. In 1994, he received the 5th Konica Photo Encouragement Award. In 1997, he received the Canon Award at the 2nd Tokyo International Photo Biennale. In 2007, he received the 38th Kodansha Publishing Culture Award for Photography for "Nakisara Gekijo" and "Tokyo DisneySea."

His major works include "Tokyo Bay Side," "AMERICAN TWINS," "Ruins Yugi," "Ruins Hyoryu," "NO MAN'S LAND Gunkanjima," "Japan New Map," "Tokyo DisneySea," "Final Factory," and "Umihito 1977-1988."

His major awards include the 28th Heibonsha Semi-Taiyo Award, the 5th Konica Photo Encouragement Award, the Canon Award at the 2nd Tokyo International Photo Biennale, and the 38th Kodansha Publishing Culture Award for Photography.

His works are held in major collections including the Tokyo Photographic Art Museum and Chanel K.K.

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Shinichiro Kobayashi