Desolate

Published after the death of photographer and editor Hachiro Hamada (1941–1996), the photo book “Sappukei” was compiled by close friends and colleagues. Edited primarily by Daido Moriyama, it was published in 1997 by the Hachiro Hamada Photo Book Publication Committee.

Hamada met Takuma Nakahira and Daido Moriyama in the late 1960s while working at the editorial office of the magazine Gendai no Me, and began expressing himself through photography. In the 1970s, he co-organized the series of photography exhibitions “Photography Exhibition: Photographic Effects” with Miyako Ishiuchi, Takashi Yada, Ritsuko Kamibayashi, and Hiroshi Yamazaki. He also helped edit “Photography Effects Magazine,” which published records of the exhibitions and accompanying criticism.

This book contains selected works Hamada photographed throughout his life. It captures unusual scenes hidden in familiar places, such as ruins, demolished buildings, concrete walls, cliffs, tetrapods, and landscapes on the urban periphery. Through scenes where the man-made and natural intertwine, it brings to light the unease within everyday life and the time etched into the surfaces of objects.

At the end of the book is Shinichi Kusamori’s essay “Without Light.” Drawing on Hamada’s diaries from 1961, 1986, 1991, and 1996, it traces his reflections on photography, memories of shooting, and struggles as a photographer. It also includes a brief chronology by Kyoji Asakura and an afterword by Daido Moriyama.

The publication of this book was prompted by a memorial photography exhibition planned by Hamada’s friends after his death. Kyoji Asakura, Keiko Ishizuka, Shinichi Kusamori, Kazuo Nishii, Akira Suei, Daido Moriyama, and others served as the publication committee, and the book was produced using funds raised from many supporters. Kiyokazu Tanno, Yutaka Kamibayashi, Michitaka Ota, and Koji Onaka also assisted with the editing.

This photo book presents the works of Hachiro Hamada, who continued to follow Japanese photographic expression from the 1970s through the 1990s with his own unique perspective, and conveys the trajectory of his activities.

Hachiro Hamada (1941–1996)

Born in Tanabe, Wakayama Prefecture, in 1941. His real name was Hachiro. Photographer and editor.

In the late 1960s, he worked at the editorial office of Gendai no Me (Gendai Hyoronsha), a magazine known for its anti-establishment tone. Through his editorial work, he became acquainted with Takuma Nakahira and Daido Moriyama, and began expressing himself through photography.

In the 1970s, while serving as editor-in-chief of the magazine Design Criticism (Fudosha), he co-organized the series of photography exhibitions “Photography Exhibition: Photographic Effects” with Takashi Yada, Miyako Ishiuchi, Ritsuko Kamibayashi, and Hiroshi Yamazaki. He presented his work at venues such as the Shimizu Gallery in Tokyo over five exhibitions.

At the same exhibition, he presented series of works such as “Surveillance Photography,” “Things That Bother Me / People Who Bother Me,” “A Photo Book Titled ‘Limited Deluxe Edition,’” “Yokosuka Guide Photography,” and “Reminiscence Photography.” He also helped edit “Photography Effects Magazine,” which was associated with the exhibition, and wrote essays on photographic expression.

From the late 1970s to the early 1980s, he held solo exhibitions such as “Eyeball Tales” (Kodak Gallery), “Sappukei” (Roku Konishi Gallery), and “Urban Syndrome” (Ginza Nagase Photo Salon).

In the mid-1980s, he served as editor-in-chief of the quarterly Shakuya Shobo magazine Photography Era 21 and also published photographic works in the monthly Photography Era. He also worked on photography projects for Asahi Journal and BRUTUS.

In his later years, based in Kamakura, he photographed urban peripheries, coastlines, buildings, and man-made objects. He died of liver cirrhosis on December 3, 1996.

In 1997, after his death, the photo book “Sappukei” was published through the editing efforts of friends and acquaintances, including Daido Moriyama, and with funds provided by supporters.

< Related Figures >

Hachiro Hamada
Daido Moriyama
Shinichi Kusamori
Kyoji Asakura
Keiko Ishizuka
Kazuo Nishii
Akira Suei
Kiyokazu Tanno
Yutaka Kamibayashi
Michitaka Ota
Koji Onaka
Hachiro Hamada Photo Book Publication Committee