Hiroo Kikai, Portraits of Kings, Sensoji Temple Grounds, Ecce Homo, Tokyo Asakusa

This is photographer Kikai Hiroo's first book, and it was the starting point for the "Asakusa Portrait" series that has continued for over 20 years.
With the vermilion-lacquered walls of Sensoji Temple as his backdrop, Kikai stands in the same place from morning to night, quietly waiting to encounter someone with a strong presence. He tackles anonymous people who tend to be on the margins of society head-on, such as those with tattoos, those with physical disabilities, and those living on the streets, and portrays the pride and kindness hidden beneath their modesty, as well as the true essence of humanity.
The 41 monochrome portraits included in this collection each contain a profound story like a film, quietly asking the viewer about the weight of "being alive." The book is written by Kyoko Yamagishi, and the afterword includes "On the word ecce homo" by Sadayoshi Fukuda.
Filled with respect and empathy for the people who could be called the "kings of each country," this important work marks the starting point of Kikai Hiroo's photographic expression.

● Photographic Society of Japan Newcomer Award winning work Ina Nobuo Award winning work

[Title] Portraits of Kings Ecce Homo Tokyo Asakusa
[Publisher] Yatate Publishing
[Publication date] September 11, 1987 (first edition)
[Number of pages] 60 pages
[Size] Approx. 263*346*12mm, 813g
[Format] Hardcover
[Language] Japanese
[Title reading] Showing the way of the head
[Authors/Editors] Hiroo Kikai/Author, Kyoko Yamagishi/Composition, Yoshiyuki Yoshida/Design, Kahoru Shima/Bookbinding
[Printing] Haneda Photoengraving/Printing, Koizumi Bookbinding/Bookbinding
[ISBN] None
[Condition] Used [4] Below average (stains on cover, crease on front fold, stains on three sides of text)
[Accessories] None
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Hiroo Kikai (1945-2020)

Born in 1945 in Sagae City, Yamagata Prefecture.
He studied philosophy at Hosei University's Faculty of Letters, Department of Philosophy, and studied under Sadayoshi Fukuda. After graduating, he worked in various jobs, including as a truck driver and crew member on a deep-sea tuna fishing boat, before discovering photography. In 1969, he was deeply influenced by the work of Diane Arbus and began taking up photography in earnest.

Since 1973, he has been photographing ordinary people within the grounds of Sensoji Temple. His portraits, set against the backdrop of vermilion-lacquered walls, later came to fruition as the "Asakusa Portrait" and "PERSONA" series, and became a life's work that continued for over 40 years. He also produced works that focused on the city of Tokyo, such as "Tokyo Labyrinth" and "Tokyo Dream Story," as well as snapshots from his travels around India and Turkey (Anatolia).

His major photo books include "Portraits of Kings: Sensoji Temple Grounds," "PERSONA," "INDIA," and "Tokyo Labyrinth."
In 1988, he won the Photographic Society of Japan Newcomer Award and the Ina Nobuo Award for "Portraits of Kings: Sensoji Temple Grounds." In 1993, he won the "Photography Society" Award for "INDIA," and in 2004, he won the Domon Ken Award and the Photographic Society of Japan Annual Award for "PERSONA."

A photographer who has consistently pursued getting to the root of human existence through photography.
Passed away on October 19, 2020. He passed away at the age of 75.

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