- Home
- Exhibitions & Events
- NIPPON NO SAKURA — a photo exhibition by Toshinobu Takeuchi
A Sakura Travelogue Across Japan by Toshinobu Takeuchi, a Pioneer Who Revolutionized Landscape Photography
NIPPON NO SAKURA — a photo exhibition by Toshinobu Takeuchi
We are pleased to announce an exhibition of photos of Japan's famed sakura (cherry blossoms) by photographer Toshinobu Takeuchi, which will be held at the FUJIFILM SQUARE showroom from March 15 to April 3, 2019.
Toshinobu Takeuchi is widely-regarded as Japan's foremost landscape photographer. In 1985, he published his seminal work Tenchi shomon (Listening to the Voices of Heaven and Earth), which set him firmly on course to become a leading landscape photographer. Since then he has travelled north as far as Hokkaido and as far south as the Yaeyama Islands in all seasons to capture images of pristine landscapes that Japanese people have gazed upon since time immemorial. Among his vast body of works, his images of landscapes in the spring are particularly well known. This is because they feature sakura, or cherry blossoms.
Takeuchi once remarked, “In the spring of each and every year, I am filled with an overpowering urge to take to the road in search of sakura. Maybe it's because the power of the spirit of sakura resides inside me.” His journeys to capture images of Japan's pristine scenery are always enhanced by the presence of sakura. The innate feelings that Japanese have for this celebrated flower are almost as if sakura is an intrinsic part of what it means to be Japanese. It could even be said that Takeuchi's depictions of sakura are also an attempt to portray the power of sakura or even the power of the spirit of the flower which in itself constitutes an element of the beauty of sakura.
This exhibition features a selection of photographs donated by Takeuchi to the Okazaki City Art Museum including his published works Sakura, Sakura Koyomi, Yamazakura and Ippon Sakura Hyappon, as well as a number of new and unpublished works.
Toshinobu Takeuchi profile
Born in Aichi Prefecture in 1943. Graduated from the Faculty of Science and Engineering, Meijo University. Became a freelance photographer after a period working at the Aichi Prefectural Office. Continued challenging himself to produce images of nature with his keen sense and clear technique, eventually becoming Japan's leading landscape photographer. Has published numerous works, with his photo collection Tenchi receiving the Photographic Society of Japan's Annual Award in 2004. Serves as head teacher at the Nippon Artistic Photography Institute and honorary member of the Japan Professional Photographers Society. Awarded the 6th Fujimoto Shihachi Photography and Culture Award by Iida City in 2008.
Inquiries: Okazaki City Art Museum Tel: 0564-51-4280 (closed on Mondays)
| Name of Exhibition | NIPPON NO SAKURA — a photo exhibition by Toshinobu Takeuchi |
|---|---|
| Period |
March 15 (Fri.) — April 3 (Wed.), 2019 10:00 - 19:00 (last entry ten minutes before closing), open every day throughout the exhibition |
| Venue | FUJIFILM SQUARE |
| Admission | Free * This exhibition is being held as a corporate MECENAT event, and we are pleased to announce that admission will be free to enable more people to attend the exhibition. |
| No of exhibits | TBC |
| Organized by | FUJIFILM Corporation |
| Supported by | Minato City Board of Education |
[ Related events ]
Talk event — Takeuchi followers discuss the master photographer
Seven adherents of the Takeuchi school of photography, whose own photographic works are inspired by the master photographer, discuss Takeuchi's father-like influence, his achievements and the attractions of his works, along with relating several interesting episodes.
| Date and times | March 21, 2019 14:30 — 16:00 |
|---|---|
| Venue | FUJIFILM SQUARE (second floor special meeting room) |
| Master of Ceremonies | Photo coordinator Tatsuo Ishida * Toshinobu Takeuchi has also been invited to take part in the event but may be unable to attend. * Please note that the above guest list may be subject to change. |
| Capacity | 200 persons |
| Attendance | free |
| Application period | From February 12 until capacity is reached. If the capacity is reached, no same day tickets will be available. How to apply: Please inquire at the FUJIFILM SQUARE showroom or by telephone during office hours. Tel: 03-6271-3350 (office hours: 10:00 — 18:00) |
Gallery talk — Following the master on the path of sakura
Adherents of the Takeuchi school of photography discuss their time as photographic assistants to Takeuchi, the actual stories behind some of Takeuchi's works and the attractions of his images.
| Dates | March 16 — photographer Jun Imura March 17 — photographer Tomomichi Kudo March 23 — photographer Tomoyuki Furuichi March 24 — photographer Tatsuo Hata March 31 — photographer Kentaro Fukuda * Two talk sessions will be held on each day, the first from 14:00 to 14:40, and the second from 16:00 to 16:40 (the content of both sessions will be the same) |
|---|---|
| Venue | The photo exhibition gallery (seating will not be available) * Admission free, no reservation required |
| Capacity | N/A |
Guest speaker profiles
Tomoyuki Furuichi
Born in 1967, graduated from the Nippon Artistic Photography Institute. Worked from March 1988 to May 1993 at TA Photo and Sound Office (Takeuchi's office). Worked as a newspaper photographer with occasional assignments for weekly photo magazines. Later turned freelance and focused on landscape photography. Awarded the President's Prize from the Japan Federation of Printing Industries for the 64th Nationwide Calendar Contest in 2013. He is currently a member of the Japan Professional Photographers Society.
Tomomichi Kudo
Born in 1969, graduated from the Nippon Artistic Photography Institute. Worked from March 1990 to March 1994 at TA Photo and Sound Office. Continues to search for the essence of Japan's natural landscapes and capturing once-in-a-lifetime landscape images. He is a photographer and writer for a number of photo magazines, a member of various selection panels for photo contests and teaches photo classes. Kudo is a member of the Japan Professional Photographers Society.
Keita Sasaki
Born in 1969, graduated from the Nippon Artistic Photography Institute. Worked from March 1991 to March 1995 at TA Photo and Sound Office. Has been capturing images since the age of photographic film, releasing such series as Machikado, Furusato which traces a number of nostalgic locations, and Morikaku which focuses on forests.
Jun Imura
Born in 1971, graduated from the Nippon Artistic Photography Institute. Worked from March 1992 to March 1996 at TA Photo and Sound Office. Much of Imura's work focuses on wildlife; he has traveled to Africa, Asia and the Americas in search of images of some of the world's wild animals. In his trips around Japan, he embarks on a quest to capture the delicate sensibilities of the natural landscape in each of the four seasons. He is a member of the Japan Professional Photographers Society.
Kentaro Fukuda
Born in 1973, graduated from the Nippon Artistic Photography Institute. Worked from March 1994 to March 1997 at TA Photo and Sound Office. Developed a passion for nature during childhood, and embarked on a path toward a career in photography at the age of 18. Based mainly in Japan, and continually searches for images of lifecycles while adhering to his motto ‘fish are nurtured in the forests”. Has held numerous exhibitions of his works, and has written many articles for both general and photography magazines. He is a member of the Japan Professional Photographers Society.
Tetsuro Shimizu
Born in 1975, graduated from the Nippon Artistic Photography Institute. Worked from March 1995 to March 1998 at TA Photo and Sound Office. Since becoming a freelance photographer at the age of by 23, has released several collections of colorful depictions of life in Mongolia. Recipient of the inaugural Natori Yonosuke Prize, the Photographic Society of Japan's Newcomer's Award in 2014, and the Sagamihara Newcomer's Encouragement Award in 2016. Has held several solo exhibitions, and published a number of photo collections. He is a member of the Japan Professional Photographers Society.
Tetsuo Hata
Born in 1970, graduated from the Nippon Artistic Photography Institute. Worked from March 1996 to March 1999 at TA Photo and Sound Office. Bases his works on the theme of ‘hometown' and has spent many years covering the Shimotsuki Festival and the yudate kagura form of ancient Shinto music and dance. Has worked on photo assignments all across Japan, and has a particular interest in the island of Yakushima which he visits each year. Contributes articles for several photography and other magazines, and works as an instructor at photography clubs. Awarded the 8th Fujimoto Shihachi Photography Award by Iida City in 2008. Has published a number of photo collections, and is a member of the Japan Professional Photographers Society.
Kazuo Anan
Born in 1971, graduated from the Faculty of Electrical Engineering, Nihon University, and the Nippon Artistic Photography Institute. Worked from March 2001 to March 2004 at TA Photo and Sound Office. After working at a major electric utilities company for six years, moved to Tokyo to take up a career as a nature photographer. Since his student days, has focused on depicting images of Japanese cranes and other wildlife as well as natural landscapes in the north of Japan.
Yutaka Tanekiyo
Born in 1982 in Osaka, and graduated in German from the Faculty of Foreign Languages, Kyoto Sangyo University. Worked from March 2004 to July 2007 at TA Photo and Sound Office. Turned freelance in 2007, and travels extensively both in Japan and abroad taking snaps of urban landscapes. Along with commercial photographic assignments, contributes articles for photography magazines and websites. Also works as an instructor at photography classes. Has held solo exhibitions and taken part in a number of group exhibitions.
Tatsuo Ishida
Representative of I Camera Flag, working as a photo coordinator, photographic producer and publisher of photo collections. Formerly chief editor at Digital CAPA magazine.
[ Related events ]
‘Takeuchi's photographic works and Fujichrome Velvia film' — an explanation by the FUJIFILM SQUARE concierge
The film manufacturer's perspective of the color reversal film Takeuchi used for his photos and the immense impact he exerted on the photographic world
| Dates | Every weekday throughout the exhibition (Mon — Fri) from 14:00 to 14:40 (the content of each talk session will be the same) * please note that the above event will not take place on Thursday, March 21 as this day is a public holiday |
|---|---|
| Capacity | N/A * Admission free, no reservation required |
- In 1991, the Association for Corporate Support of the Arts founded these awards, which recognize highly beneficial projects by corporations and corporate foundations for the support of the arts, with the aim of encouraging corporate patronage of artistic projects and increasing public interest in these activities.
- The awardees are decided on the basis of an evaluation that covers the company's ingenuity and making use of its managerial resources, the involvement of the company in the arts, culture and the wider community, the company's attitude to continuing and expanding the activities, and the activities' degree of importance in contributing to the arts and wider culture.
- This year's awards, entitled “This is MECENAT 2018”, attracted 152 entrants. A town of third-party experts selected a total of seven awards, namely, the Grand Mécénat Award, five Awards for excellence and the Award Granted by the Commissioner for Cultural Affairs.
