World Food Books

Le Sang et La Rose No. 2, 1969

1969, Japanese / French
Softcover, 228 pages, 23 x 18 cm
1st Edition, Out of print title / used / very good
Published by Tensei Shuppan / Tokyo

$110.00 - In stock -

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Revue de Érotologie, Homosexualité, Sadisme, Masochisme, Fétischisme, Narcissime, Infantilisme, Magie, Occultisme, Humour Noir, Complexe Psychisme. What more could you ask for? Le Sang Et La Rose is a masterpiece of the Japanese underground. A groundbreaking, powerful, yet short-lived Japanese arts and literary journal published in Tokyo from late 1968—mid 1969, published in a total of four luxurious, now collectible, volumes. The first three issues were edited by Tatsuhiko Shibusawa (1928—1987), a legendary, controversial Japanese novelist, art critic, translator of French writers such as Jean Cocteau, Georges Bataille and Marquis de Sade, and specialist in medieval demonology. The importance of this magazine to the Japanese avant-garde and radical culture cannot be overstated.

Born from a period of political, social and economical turmoil in Japan, Le Sang Et La Rose may be understood as a emblematic distillation and product of the late ‘60s student rebellion and anti-authoritarian underground culture. Wilfully politically subversive, the publication drew upon a vast range of perspectives - from criticism, literature, obscure esoteric sciences, art, eroticism, radical avant-garde and a historical-rooted Japanese counterculture; featuring literature, theory, art, photography, illustration and graphic design from the most innovative and subversive Japanese and international (predominately French) artists, authors and critics, spanning the themes above. As instigator, Tatsuhiko Shibusawa in effect formulated the magazine’s design to be a spiritual and political operative that would weaponize its readers minds. This stance was made clear in the 1969 manifesto text — "My 1969" — in which Shibusawa discuss' how he perceived the ‘60s as being the age of ideas, ideas as weapons, and outlined a distain towards systems of power, moralism, State oppression, sanitised and harmless liberalism, dogmatic academic sciences and an outright distrust for ideological, progressive literary scholars who advocate "freedom of expression", but have never caused friction with the judicial power. The magazine sketched out an aim to push towards a new kind of personal freedom, intellect, autonomy and moral compass. Here, the concept of ‘erotism’ — as discussed by Georges Bataille in his highly influential 1957 book "Erotism: Death and Sensuality" — acts as a critical force. 

Issue no. 2 includes photographic features by Yasuhiro Yoshioka and Yoshihiro Tatsuki, the artwork of French decorator of department store mannequins and surrealist Sunday painter Clovis Trouille, Venus in Furs erotic photo shoot by Yasuhiro Ishimoto, Yokoo Tadanori, Hans Bellmer, Leonor Fini, Alberto Martini, Félicien Rops, Rene Magritte, an incredible feature "Machine for Murder" with art by Hiroshi Nakamura, Tomi Ungerer, Koichi Tanigawa, Osamu Tsukasa, Tatsuo Ikeda, Marcel Duchamp, Seiichi Horiuchi, and others, an article on the erotica of Ukiyo-e with a fold-out colour three panel poster, the fully illustrated museum supplement on Demonology by Tatsuhiko Shibusawa with artworks throughout history, texts by Apollinaire, Burroughs, Mutsuo Takahashi, articles on laws pertaining to homosexuality, Kama Sutra, shoe fetishism, and much more.

Tatsuhiko Shibusawa (1928—1987), was a well-known and controversial Japanese novelist, art critic, and translator of French writers such as Jean Cocteau, Georges Bataille and Marquis de Sade. In 1960 he and his publisher, Kyōji Ishii, were trialled for public obscenity over the publishing of Shibusawa's translation of de Sade's Juliette into the Japanese language. What was to be known as the "Sade Trial" took 9 years and although many of Japan's leading authors testified for the defense, in 1969 the Japanese Supreme Court ruled them guilty and charged. This did not deter Shibusawa, whose essays on black magic, demonology and eroticism were popular reading in Japan, and in 1981 he was awarded the 9th Izumi Kyoka Literature Prize.

Very Good copy. Light general tanning/wear.

File under: Yoshihiro Tatsuki Clovis Trouille Tadanori Yokoo Yasuhiro Yoshioka Yokoo Tadanori Hans Bellmer Leonor Fini Alberto Martini Félicien Rops Rene Magritte Hiroshi Nakamura Tomi Ungerer Koichi Tanigawa Osamu Tsukasa Tatsuo Ikeda Marcel Duchamp Seiichi Horiuchi Yasuhiro Ishimoto Guillaume Apollinaire William S. Burroughs Georges Bataille Mutsuo Takahashi Tatsuhiko Shibusawa Tensei Shuppan / Tokyo Periodicals Eros LGBTQ+ Art Surrealism Counterculture Japanese Photography Photography Out-of-print / Rare Illustration / Graphic Art / Bandes Dessinées Theory / Essay Occult / Esoterica Fetishism / BDSM Ero Guro / Erotic / Grotesque Philosophy Fiction / Poetry Transgressive / Visceral / Abject Symbolism / Decadence / Fin de siècle Ancient / Medieval / Gothic

Tadanori Yokoo
1971-1974

1974, Japanese
Softcover (French-fold cover), 80 pages, 21 x 28.5 cm
1st Edition, Out of print title / used / very good
Published by Mainichi Shinbun / Japan

$140.00 $100.00 - In stock -

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Rarely seen gorgeous book on the poster work of the legendary Japanese graphic artist Tadanori Yokoo at the height of his powers. Printed and published by Mainichi Shinbun in Japan in 1974, this volume carries very little text and is made up almost 100% with beautiful full-page reproductions of Yokoo's major poster works from the years 1971-1974, in which his iconic photo-montage and print-making had a distinct psychedelic, erotic and esoteric spirit rendered in his vivid pop colours. One of the nicest books on this period of his work, designed by Yokoo.

Tadanori Yokoo (b. 1936) is one of Japan's most successful and internationally recognized graphic designers and artists, who began working with painting in 1966. In parallel, Yokoo’s early screenprints experimented with collage and illustration, combining found photographs with the influence of traditional Japanese ukiyo-e and pop art’s flat vibrant colours and overtly sexual and grotesque content, often reflecting on the rapid changes and Westernisation of Japan post-war society. His interests in mysticism and esotericism, deepened by travels to India, influenced his iconic posters with eclectic psychedelic imagery sharing the aesthetics of the underground counterculture he was associated with. In Tokyo, Yokoo worked as a stage designer for avant-garde theatre, collaborating extensively with Shūji Terayama and his experimental theater group Tenjō Sajiki. By the late 60s he had already achieved international recognition and in the early 1970s MoMA mounted a solo exhibition of his graphic work. His famous designs for The Beatles, Miles Davis, Carlos Santana and collaborations with friend and iconic Japanese fashion designer Issey Miyake are renowned the world over. He also starred as a protagonist in Nagisa Oshima's film Diary of a Shinjuku Thief in 1968.

Very Good copy with foxing to first blank page. Light corner bump to top spine.

File under: Tadanori Yokoo Mainichi Shinbun / Japan Art Graphic Design / Typography Out-of-print / Rare Illustration / Graphic Art / Bandes Dessinées Pop Art Performance / Dance / Theater Drugs / Psychedelia SALE

Tadanori Yokoo
Selected Posters 116

2001, English
Softcover (stiff boards w. printed acetate obi-strip), 120 pages, 36.5 x 26 cm
1st Edition, Out of print title / used / very good
Published by Amus Arts Press / Osaka

$220.00 $140.00 - In stock -

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First edition of the long out-of-print over-sized collection of posters by legendary Japanese graphic artist Tadanori Yokoo. Published in 2001 by Amus Arts Press in Japan, this large, lavish volume comprises entirely of beautiful full page reproductions of Yokoo's major poster works spanning his entire career, in which his iconic photo-montage and print-making had a distinct psychedelic, erotic and esoteric spirit that captured international attention.

Tadanori Yokoo (b. 1936) is one of Japan's most successful and internationally recognized graphic designers and artists. He began his career as a stage designer for avant-garde theatre in Tokyo, collaborating extensively with Shūji Terayama and his experimental theater group Tenjō Sajiki. In the late 1960s he became interested in mysticism and psychedelia, deepened by travels in India. Because his work was so attuned to 1960s pop culture, he has often been (unfairly) described as the "Japanese Andy Warhol" or likened to psychedelic poster artist Peter Max, but Yokoo's complex and multi-layered imagery is intensely autobiographical and entirely original, heavily reflecting Japan's cultural history and iconography. By the late 60s he had already achieved international recognition for his work and was included in the 1968 "Word & Image" exhibition at the Museum of Modern Art in New York. Four years later MoMA mounted a solo exhibition of his graphic work organized by Mildred Constantine. In 1968 Yukio Mishima claimed, "Tadanori Yokoo's works reveal all of the unbearable things which we Japanese have inside ourselves and they make people angry and frightened. He makes explosions with the frightening resemblance which lies between the vulgarity of billboards advertising variety shows during festivals at the shrine devoted to the war dead and the red containers of Coca Cola in American Pop Art, things which are in us but which we do not want to see."

Very Good copy with original plastic obi-strip. Some tanning to back stiff card cover.

File under: Tadanori Yokoo Amus Arts Press / Osaka Graphic Design / Typography Illustration / Graphic Art / Bandes Dessinées Sound / Music Performance / Dance / Theater Out-of-print / Rare Painting Art SALE Drugs / Psychedelia

Rag Vol. 1, No. 1
Spring/Summer 1986

1986, Japanese
Softcover (staple-bound), 36.5 x 26 cm
1st Edition, Out of print title / used / good
Published by Cross Culture Foundation / Tokyo

$65.00 - In stock -

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Rare inaugural issue of the almost unknown but incredible Japanese magazine, Rag. Was this the only issue? Published in 1986 in over-sized, staple-bound format, Rag issue 1 includes a beautiful photo feature on Butoh performer Goro Namerikawa, a large feature on "Art's Destroying Angel" Tadanori Yokoo, photography by Nobuyoshi Araki, Keiichi Tahara, Yasushi Handa, Shunji Kaida, Herbie Yamaguchi, Sachiko Kuro, Kaoru Ijima, experimental musician and playwright Koharu Kisaragi, costume designer Michiko Kitamura, designers Issey Miyake, Junko Shimada, musician Eitetsu Hayashi, and much more.

Good copy with some large format wear to spine/extremities.

File under: Nobuyoshi Araki Tadanori Yokoo Keiichi Tahara Yasushi Handa Shunji Kaida Herbie Yamaguchi Sachiko Kuro Kaoru Ijima Michiko Kitamura Issey Miyake Junko Shimada Eitetsu Hayashi Goro Namerikawa Cross Culture Foundation / Tokyo Periodicals Out-of-print / Rare Fashion Art Illustration / Graphic Art / Bandes Dessinées Japanese Photography Photography Sound / Music Performance / Dance / Theater

Shūji Terayama
Kamen Gaho

1991, Japanese
Softcover (w. dust jacket + obi), 128 pages, 26 x 18.5 cm
1st Edition, Out of print title / used / very good
Published by Heibonsha / Tokyo

$65.00 - Out of stock

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Wonderful photo-book chronology of the world of Shūji Terayama (1935—1983) and his experimental theatre troupe Tenjō Sajiki (with Kujō Kyōko, Yutaka Higashi, Tadanori Yokoo, Fumiko Takagi, ...), a major phenomenon on the Japanese Angura ("underground") theater scene of the 1960s and 70s. Terayama's activities encompass a who's-who of the Japanese avant-garde arts and literature of the time. This book visually documents it all; the filmography, performances, installations, happenings, exhibitions, posters, publications, and all else that resonated from Japan’s most revered and provocative avant-garde film-maker and his collaborators. Profusely illustrated with hundreds of illustrations in colour, duo and b/w with Japanese commentary, biographies and chronology. A wonderful, visually mind-blowing reference for anyone interested in the work of Terayama, Tenjō Sajiki, Surrealist performance, or Japanese avant-garde underground (Angura) theatre.

Shūji Terayama (1935 — 1983) was a Japanese avant-garde poet, dramatist, writer, film director, and photographer. His works range from radio drama, experimental television, underground (Angura) theatre, countercultural essays, to Japanese New Wave and "expanded" cinema. In 1967 Terayama founded Tenjō Sajiki with Kujō Kyōko, Yutaka Higashi, Tadanori Yokoo, and Fumiko Takagi, a Japanese experimental theater troupe. A major phenomenon on the Japanese Angura ("underground") theater scene, the group produced a number of stage works marked by experimentalism, folklore influences, social provocation, grotesque eroticism and the flamboyant fantasy characteristic of Terayama's oeuvre. Terayama is considered one of the most productive and provocative creative artists to come out of Japan, with a wide-reaching influence on many artists from the 1970s onward.

Very Good—Near Fine

File under: Tenjō Sajiki Kujō Kyōko Yutaka Higashi Tadanori Yokoo Fumiko Takagi Shūji Terayama Akira Uno Aquirax Uno akira Heibonsha / Tokyo Art Performance / Dance / Theater Ero Guro / Erotic / Grotesque Eros Surrealism Illustration / Graphic Art / Bandes Dessinées Sound / Music Transgressive / Visceral / Abject

Tadanori Yokoo
Edogawa Ranpo commemorative Print Set (complete)

1968, Japanese
5 litho prints in letterpress envelope, 19 x 13 cm
1st Edition, Out of print title / used / very good
Published by Kodansha Int / Tokyo

$180.00 - In stock -

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Complete 5 card set of litho prints by legendary Japanese artist Tadanori Yokoo, issued in letterpress, marbled envelope in 1968 to commemorate the release of the complete 12 volume collected works of Japanese author and critic Edogawa Ranpo (1894—1965), who played a major role in the development of Japanese mystery and thriller fiction. Yokoo contributed many illustrations to the book collection, alongside fellow artists Iwami Furusawa and others. This rare folio of prints (roughly the size of post cards) collects five of the finest examples of Yokoo's instantly recognisable 1960's psychedelic work — erotic, grotesque, and esoteric themes rendered in vivid graphic collage and pop colour.

Tadanori Yokoo (b. 1936) is one of Japan's most successful and internationally recognized graphic designers and artists, who began working with painting in 1966. In parallel, Yokoo’s early screenprints experimented with collage and illustration, combining found photographs with the influence of traditional Japanese ukiyo-e and pop art’s flat vibrant colours and overtly sexual and grotesque content, often reflecting on the rapid changes and Westernisation of Japan post-war society. His interests in mysticism and esotericism, deepened by travels to India, influenced his iconic posters with eclectic psychedelic imagery sharing the aesthetics of the underground counterculture he was associated with. In Tokyo Yokoo worked as a stage designer for avant-garde theatre, collaborating extensively with Shūji Terayama and his experimental theater group Tenjō Sajiki. By the late 60s he had already achieved international recognition and in the early 1970s MoMA mounted a solo exhibition of his graphic work. His famous designs for The Beatles, Miles Davis, Carlos Santana and collaborations with friend and iconic Japanese fashion designer Issey Miyake are renowned the world over.

Very Good, perfectly preserved cards in aged envelope with some wear to edges and tanning.

File under: Tadanori Yokoo Kodansha Int / Tokyo Objects / Ephemera / A/V Out-of-print / Rare Illustration / Graphic Art / Bandes Dessinées Eros Weird / Speculative / Science Fiction Pop Art

The Geijutsu Seikatsu No. 291, Nov 1973
"Doll Love" Special Feature

1973, Japanese
Softcover, 182 pages, 25.5 x 18.5 cm
1st Edition, Out of print title / used / good
Published by The Geijutsu Seikatsu / Tokyo

$70.00 - Out of stock

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Magnificent "Doll Love" Special Feature issue of The Geijutsu Seikatsu, one of the leading arts magazines in post-war Japan, with a cover feature shot by Kishin Shinoyama on Japanese doll master Simon Yotsuya. From Hans Bellmer to Hajime Sawatari's doll photography to the Ayakashi Doll Museum shot by Shigeo Anzaï to the metaphysics of "Doll Love" written by the great Tatsuhiko Shibusawa, this issue is filled with photographic features and articles on doll artists, doll museums, western automatons, karakuri dolls... plus a photo feature on Nakamura Utaemon, considered the greatest onnagata (male actors who play female roles in kabuki theatre) of the post-War period ("a divine messenger given to kabuki from heaven"), performing the legendary Japanese ghost story "Yotsuya Kaida", and much much more (Kobayashi Kiyochika, Tadanori Yokoo, Hisako Nishino, Yasufumi Konishi, Yosuke Inoue...). Always a treasure-trove!

Good copy with some wear and creases to covers.

File under: Masuo Ikeda Hans Bellmer Hajime Sawatari Kishin Shinoyama Simon Yotsuya Tadanori Yokoo Francisco de Goya Yosuke Inoue Shigeo Anzai Kobayashi Kiyochika Hisako Nishino Yasufumi Konishi Nakamura Utaemon Tatsuhiko Shibusawa The Geijutsu Seikatsu / Tokyo Periodicals Out-of-print / Rare Art Painting Performance / Dance / Theater Sculpture / Installation Art Brut / Folk / Visionary / Fantastic Surrealism Ero Guro / Erotic / Grotesque Japanese Photography Occult / Esoterica Symbolism / Decadence / Fin de siècle

Super Art Gocoo 1981/3 No. 23
Harumi Yamaguchi, Pater Sato, Tadanori Yokoo...

1981, English
Softcover, 116 pages, 28 x 21 cm
1st Edition, Out of print title / used / very good
Published by PARCO / Tokyo

$90.00 - In stock -

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Like no other magazine - Super Art Gocoo was the wild late 1970s—1980s art journal from art director Ryōichi Enomoto and published by the mighty Parco gallery, imprint and department-store-like-no-other in Tokyo. With a cover by Harumi Yamaguchi, this bumper issue from 1981 is also largely dedicated to "Harumi Eros" — the work of legendary Japanese airbrush queen Harumi Yamaguchi and her "Gals". Not only does it feature a heavily illustrated behind-the-scenes with Yamaguchi it also visits the studio of fellow-airbrush master Pater Sato in his New York New Wave period. There is also lots of work by the great graphic artist Tadanori Yokoo, a feature on legendary French underground magazine Façade (1976—1983), a story on American dancer/choreographer/composer/Steve Reich collaborator Laura Dean, the photography of Hiroshi Yamazaki, graphic designer Kiyoshi Awazu, graphic designer Yutaka Sugita, a discussion between Japanese pop artists Akiko Yano and Nanako Sato, Tokyo Designers Space Report, plus articles, reviews, reports on art, dance, film, fashion, music, magazines, books.... The Face, Terry Riley, etc. Parco were instrumental in exhibiting, publishing and promoting Japanese and international graphic artists and new pop culture in this period, and these journals create a wonderful time-capsule at the height of that incredible time.

Very Good - Fine copy.

File under: Tadanori Yokoo Kiyoshi Awazu Yutaka Sugita Akiko Yano Nanako Sato Harumi Yamaguchi Pater Sato Ryōichi Enomoto PARCO / Tokyo Periodicals Art Sound / Music Performance / Dance / Theater Out-of-print / Rare Illustration / Graphic Art / Bandes Dessinées Fashion Drawing Film / Video Painting

The Complete Tadanori Yokoo

1971, Japanese / English
Softcover (in slipcase w. obi strip), 22 x 15.5 cm
1st Edition, Out of print title / used / very good
Published by Kodansha Int / Tokyo

$500.00 - Out of stock

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The very first printing of the legendary Complete Tadanori Yokoo book, designed by Yokoo and published in Japan in 1971. Still the quintessential Yokoo book, anyone who sees it knows immediately — boldly designed and beautifully produced with gorgeous colour, thick paper stock, fold-outs, and absolutely comprehensive in capturing the early masterpieces of one of Japan's leading artists of the 1960s. All housed in the original iconic illustrated slipcase with publisher's obi-strip present. 360 total works recorded, alongside 230 photographs — all the posters and other works showcasing his psychedelic, erotic, esoteric and politically charged photo-montage and vivid pop print-making, with documentation of the exhibitions, events, and underground scene Yokoo was central to in the 1960s, captioned throughout with texts by Akiyuki Nosaka and Yokoo himself. A treasure for any fan. A most complete copy.

Tadanori Yokoo (b. 1936) is one of Japan's most successful and internationally recognized graphic designers and artists, who began working with painting in 1966. In parallel, Yokoo’s early screenprints experimented with collage and illustration, combining found photographs with the influence of traditional Japanese ukiyo-e and pop art’s flat vibrant colours and overtly sexual and grotesque content, often reflecting on the rapid changes and Westernisation of Japan post-war society. His interests in mysticism and esotericism, deepened by travels to India, influenced his iconic posters with eclectic psychedelic imagery sharing the aesthetics of the underground counterculture he was associated with. In Tokyo, Yokoo worked as a stage designer for avant-garde theatre, collaborating extensively with Shūji Terayama and his experimental theater group Tenjō Sajiki. By the late 60s he had already achieved international recognition and in the early 1970s MoMA mounted a solo exhibition of his graphic work. His famous designs for The Beatles, Miles Davis, Carlos Santana and collaborations with friend and iconic Japanese fashion designer Issey Miyake are renowned the world over. He also starred as a protagonist in Nagisa Oshima's film Diary of a Shinjuku Thief in 1968.

Very Good—Near Fine copy preserved with very minimal wear, light tanning to obi/spine, VG slipcase.

File under: Tadanori Yokoo Akiyuki Nosaka Kodansha Int / Tokyo Illustration / Graphic Art / Bandes Dessinées Counterculture Performance / Dance / Theater Drugs / Psychedelia Pop Art Ero Guro / Erotic / Grotesque Art Drawing Collage / Mail Art / Xerox Art Graphic Design / Typography Painting Posters / Prints

Angura (Underground Theatre) No. 1
May, 1969 (Anti-Theater)

1969, Japanese
Softcover, 128 pages, 21 x 15 cm
1st Edition, Out of print title / used / very good
Published by Tenjō Sajiki / Tokyo

$360.00 - In stock -

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Very rare copy of the first issue of Angura (Underground Theatre), the "Dramatic Theory Magazine", published in 1969 in Tokyo by Shūji Terayama's radical avant-garde theatre company Tenjō Sajiki. Strikingly designed by the great Japanese art director Ryōichi Enomoto, this issue's special feature is ‘Anti-Theater’, with contributions by Shūji Terayama, photographer Yoshihiro Tatsuki, artist Jiro Takamatsu, poet Tadaaki Mori, director and cinematographer Sakumi Hagiwara, critic Masaaki Hiraoka, critic Koichi Isoda, actor Shigeomi Satô, and many others. A very unique periodical that not only discusses in-depth the works of Angura theatre, but also the international avant-garde, inviting diverse critical perspectives on performance and anti- and living-theatre, sharing ground with Gutai and Fluxus. Illustrated throughout with drawings, diagrams and photographs, mixing themes of pop, protest, surrealism, and eros, plus texts and scripts in Japanese. A rare printed embodiment of Tenjō Sajiki, Terayama, Tadanori Yokoo and the Japanese underground.

Tenjō Sajiki was a Japanese independent theater troupe co-founded by Shūji Terayama, Kujō Kyōko, Yutaka Higashi, Tadanori Yokoo, and Fumiko Takagi. Led by Japanese avant-garde poet, dramatist, writer, film director, and photographer Shūji Terayama, the prolific group was active between 1967 and 1983 (until Terayama's death). A major phenomenon on the Japanese Angura ("underground") theater scene, the group has produced a number of stage works marked by experimentalism, folklore influences, social provocation, grotesque eroticism and the flamboyant fantasy characteristic of Terayama's oeuvre. Tenjō Sajiki benefitted greatly from collaborations with a number of prominent artists, including musicians J. A. Seazer and Kan Mikami, and graphic designers Aquirax Uno and Tadanori Yokoo.

Shūji Terayama (1935 — 1983) was a Japanese avant-garde poet, dramatist, writer, film director, and photographer. His works range from radio drama, experimental television, underground (Angura) theatre, countercultural essays, to Japanese New Wave and "expanded" cinema. Terayama is considered one of the most productive and provocative creative artists to come out of Japan, with a wide-reaching influence on many artists from the 1970s onward.

Very Good copy.

File under: Shuji Terayama Shūji Terayama Tenjo Sajiki Tenjō Sajiki Ryōichi Enomoto Yoshihiro Tatsuki Sakumi Hagiwara Jiro Takamatsu Shigeomi Satô Tadanori Yokoo Izumi Suzuki Aquirax Uno Hubert Selby Jr. Koichi Isoda Masaaki Hiraoka Tenjō Sajiki / Tokyo Art Out-of-print / Rare Performance / Dance / Theater Periodicals Theory / Essay Film / Video Eros Counterculture Fluxus Surrealism Dada

Angura (Underground Theatre) No. 3 (Shūji Terayama)
February, 1970 (Eros and Theater)

1970, Japanese
Softcover, 300 pages, 21 x 15 cm
1st Edition, Out of print title / used / very good
Published by Tenjō Sajiki / Tokyo

$360.00 - In stock -

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Very rare copy of Angura (Underground Theatre) issue 3, 1970, the "Dramatic Theory Magazine" published in Tokyo by Shūji Terayama's radical avant-garde theatre company Tenjō Sajiki. With gorgeous graphic design and (Aleister Crowley) cover by graphic designer Heikichi Harata, this issue's special feature is ‘Eros and Theater’, edited by Shūji Terayama and Masahiko Akuta with contributions by Terayama, photographer Hajime Sawatari, writer Taruho Inagaki, director Takahiko Iimura, anthropologist Masao Yamaguchi, playwright Yasunari Takahashi, director and cinematographer Sakumi Hagiwara, film director Nobuhiro Kawanaka, playwright Rio Kishida, and many others. A very unique periodical that not only discusses in-depth the works of Angura theatre, but also the international avant-garde, inviting diverse critical perspectives on performance and anti- and living-theatre, sharing ground with Gutai and Fluxus. Illustrated throughout with drawings, diagrams and photographs, mixing themes of pop, protest, surrealism, and eros, plus texts and scripts in Japanese. A rare printed embodiment of Tenjō Sajiki, Terayama, Tadanori Yokoo and the Japanese underground.

Tenjō Sajiki was a Japanese independent theater troupe co-founded by Shūji Terayama, Kujō Kyōko, Yutaka Higashi, Tadanori Yokoo, and Fumiko Takagi. Led by Japanese avant-garde poet, dramatist, writer, film director, and photographer Shūji Terayama, the prolific group was active between 1967 and 1983 (until Terayama's death). A major phenomenon on the Japanese Angura ("underground") theater scene, the group has produced a number of stage works marked by experimentalism, folklore influences, social provocation, grotesque eroticism and the flamboyant fantasy characteristic of Terayama's oeuvre. Tenjō Sajiki benefitted greatly from collaborations with a number of prominent artists, including musicians J. A. Seazer and Kan Mikami, and graphic designers Aquirax Uno and Tadanori Yokoo.

Shūji Terayama (1935 — 1983) was a Japanese avant-garde poet, dramatist, writer, film director, and photographer. His works range from radio drama, experimental television, underground (Angura) theatre, countercultural essays, to Japanese New Wave and "expanded" cinema. Terayama is considered one of the most productive and provocative creative artists to come out of Japan, with a wide-reaching influence on many artists from the 1970s onward.

File under: Shuji Terayama Shūji Terayama Tenjo Sajiki Tenjō Sajiki Heikichi Harata Tadanori Yokoo Yasunari Takahashi Takahiko Iimura Hajime Sawatari Izumi Suzuki Tenjō Sajiki / Tokyo Eros Out-of-print / Rare Periodicals Art Performance / Dance / Theater Theory / Essay Film / Video Occult / Esoterica Counterculture

Angura (Underground Theatre) No. 6 (Shūji Terayama)
August, 1973 (New Trends in Overseas Theater)

1973, Japanese
Softcover, 340 pages, 21 x 15 cm
1st Edition, Out of print title / used / good
Published by Tenjō Sajiki / Tokyo

$340.00 - In stock -

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Very rare copy of Angura (Underground Theatre) issue 6, 1973, the "Dramatic Theory Magazine" published in Tokyo by Shūji Terayama's radical avant-garde theatre company Tenjō Sajiki. With iconic cover photography by Shūji Terayama, this issue's special feature is ‘New Trends in Overseas Theater’, with contributions by Terayama, musician J. A. Seazer, musician Norihito Inaba, photographer Nobuyoshi Araki, actor Hideaki Sasaki, producer and actress Eiko Kujo, artist Nobuo Sasaki, and many others. Includes in-depth features and interviews on the work of theatre directors Jérôme Savary, Robert Wilson, and Mario Ricci and photo-reports the activities of independent theatre companies around the world, including Teatro Abaco (Rome), Atelje 212 (Belgrade), Teatr Laboratorium (Wrocław), La Mamma Theatre (New York), Forum Theater (Berlin), Odin Teatret (Holstebro), Stichting Mickery Workshop (Antwerp), making it a very valuable resource on the subject. There are also photo reports and scripts on the performances of Tenjō Sajiki, including works performed overseas. Incredible rare performance documents. A very unique periodical that not only discusses in-depth the works of Angura theatre, but also the international avant-garde, inviting diverse critical perspectives on performance and anti- and living-theatre, sharing ground with Gutai and Fluxus. Illustrated throughout with drawings, diagrams and photographs, mixing themes of pop, protest, surrealism, and eros, plus texts and scripts in Japanese. A rare printed embodiment of Tenjō Sajiki, Terayama, Tadanori Yokoo and the Japanese underground.

Tenjō Sajiki was a Japanese independent theater troupe co-founded by Shūji Terayama, Kujō Kyōko, Yutaka Higashi, Tadanori Yokoo, and Fumiko Takagi. Led by Japanese avant-garde poet, dramatist, writer, film director, and photographer Shūji Terayama, the prolific group was active between 1967 and 1983 (until Terayama's death). A major phenomenon on the Japanese Angura ("underground") theater scene, the group has produced a number of stage works marked by experimentalism, folklore influences, social provocation, grotesque eroticism and the flamboyant fantasy characteristic of Terayama's oeuvre. Tenjō Sajiki benefitted greatly from collaborations with a number of prominent artists, including musicians J. A. Seazer and Kan Mikami, and graphic designers Aquirax Uno and Tadanori Yokoo.

Shūji Terayama (1935 — 1983) was a Japanese avant-garde poet, dramatist, writer, film director, and photographer. His works range from radio drama, experimental television, underground (Angura) theatre, countercultural essays, to Japanese New Wave and "expanded" cinema. Terayama is considered one of the most productive and provocative creative artists to come out of Japan, with a wide-reaching influence on many artists from the 1970s onward.

File under: Shuji Terayama Shūji Terayama Tenjo Sajiki Tenjō Sajiki J. A. Seazer Nobuyoshi Araki Hideaki Sasaki Nobuo Sasaki Eiko Kujo Norihito Inaba Jérôme Savary Robert Wilson Mario Ricci Teatro Abaco Atelje 212 Teatr Laboratorium La Mamma Theatre Forum Theater Odin Teatret Stichting Mickery Workshop Tadanori Yokoo Kaoru Abe Izumi Suzuki Tenjō Sajiki / Tokyo Art Theory / Essay Performance / Dance / Theater Film / Video Out-of-print / Rare Periodicals Eros Counterculture

Angura (Underground Theatre) No. 11 (Shūji Terayama)
May, 1977 (Secret Drama — Absurd Ship)

1977, Japanese
Softcover, 64 pages, 21 x 15 cm
1st Edition, Out of print title / used / good
Published by Tenjō Sajiki / Tokyo

$120.00 - In stock -

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Rare copy of Angura (Underground Theatre) issue 11, 1977, the "Dramatic Theory Magazine" published in Tokyo by Shūji Terayama's radical avant-garde theatre company Tenjō Sajiki. With iconic cover photography by Shūji Terayama, this issue's special feature is ‘Secret Drama (Absurd Ship)’, with contributions by Terayama, writer Taruho Inagaki, anthropologist Masao Yamaguchi, film director Nobuhiro Kawanaka, playwright Rio Kishida, and many others. A very unique periodical that not only discusses in-depth the works of Angura theatre, but also the international avant-garde, inviting diverse critical perspectives on performance and anti- and living-theatre, sharing ground with Gutai and Fluxus. Illustrated throughout with drawings, diagrams and photographs, mixing themes of pop, protest, surrealism, and eros, plus texts and scripts in Japanese. A rare printed embodiment of Tenjō Sajiki, Terayama, Tadanori Yokoo and the Japanese underground.

Tenjō Sajiki was a Japanese independent theater troupe co-founded by Shūji Terayama, Kujō Kyōko, Yutaka Higashi, Tadanori Yokoo, and Fumiko Takagi. Led by Japanese avant-garde poet, dramatist, writer, film director, and photographer Shūji Terayama, the prolific group was active between 1967 and 1983 (until Terayama's death). A major phenomenon on the Japanese Angura ("underground") theater scene, the group has produced a number of stage works marked by experimentalism, folklore influences, social provocation, grotesque eroticism and the flamboyant fantasy characteristic of Terayama's oeuvre. Tenjō Sajiki benefitted greatly from collaborations with a number of prominent artists, including musicians J. A. Seazer and Kan Mikami, and graphic designers Aquirax Uno and Tadanori Yokoo.

Shūji Terayama (1935 — 1983) was a Japanese avant-garde poet, dramatist, writer, film director, and photographer. His works range from radio drama, experimental television, underground (Angura) theatre, countercultural essays, to Japanese New Wave and "expanded" cinema. Terayama is considered one of the most productive and provocative creative artists to come out of Japan, with a wide-reaching influence on many artists from the 1970s onward.

File under: Shuji Terayama Shūji Terayama Tenjo Sajiki Tenjō Sajiki Tadanori Yokoo Rio Kishida Nobuhiro Kawanaka Izumi Suzuki Taruho Inagaki Rio Kishida Masao Yamaguchi Tenjō Sajiki / Tokyo Out-of-print / Rare Periodicals Art Performance / Dance / Theater Film / Video Theory / Essay Eros

Angura (Underground Theatre) No. 12 (Shūji Terayama)
November, 1978 (Body Language and the Theatrical Body)

1978, Japanese
Softcover, 80 pages, 26 x 18.5 cm
1st Edition, Out of print title / used / good
Published by Tenjō Sajiki / Tokyo

$120.00 - In stock -

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Rare copy of Angura (Underground Theatre) issue 12, 1978, the "Dramatic Theory Magazine" published in Tokyo by Shūji Terayama's radical avant-garde theatre company Tenjō Sajiki. With iconic cover photography by Shūji Terayama, this issue's special feature is ‘Body Language and the Theatrical Body’, with contributions by Terayama, philosopher Hiroshi Ichikawa, musicologist Fumio Koizumi, film critic Masao Matsuda, illustrator Ryōichi Enomoto, musician J. A. Seazer, and many others. A very unique periodical that not only discusses in-depth the works of Angura theatre, but also the international avant-garde, inviting diverse critical perspectives on performance and anti- and living-theatre, sharing ground with Gutai and Fluxus. Illustrated throughout with drawings, diagrams and photographs, mixing themes of pop, protest, surrealism, and eros, plus texts and scripts in Japanese. A rare printed embodiment of Tenjō Sajiki, Terayama, Tadanori Yokoo and the Japanese underground.

Tenjō Sajiki was a Japanese independent theater troupe co-founded by Shūji Terayama, Kujō Kyōko, Yutaka Higashi, Tadanori Yokoo, and Fumiko Takagi. Led by Japanese avant-garde poet, dramatist, writer, film director, and photographer Shūji Terayama, the prolific group was active between 1967 and 1983 (until Terayama's death). A major phenomenon on the Japanese Angura ("underground") theater scene, the group has produced a number of stage works marked by experimentalism, folklore influences, social provocation, grotesque eroticism and the flamboyant fantasy characteristic of Terayama's oeuvre. Tenjō Sajiki benefitted greatly from collaborations with a number of prominent artists, including musicians J. A. Seazer and Kan Mikami, and graphic designers Aquirax Uno and Tadanori Yokoo.

Shūji Terayama (1935 — 1983) was a Japanese avant-garde poet, dramatist, writer, film director, and photographer. His works range from radio drama, experimental television, underground (Angura) theatre, countercultural essays, to Japanese New Wave and "expanded" cinema. Terayama is considered one of the most productive and provocative creative artists to come out of Japan, with a wide-reaching influence on many artists from the 1970s onward.

File under: Shuji Terayama Tenjo Sajiki Tsutomu Toda Tenjō Sajiki Shūji Terayama J. A. Seazer Tadanori Yokoo Izumi Suzuki Hiroshi Ichikawa Fumio Koizumi Masao Matsuda Tenjō Sajiki / Tokyo Performance / Dance / Theater Out-of-print / Rare Film / Video Art Theory / Essay Periodicals Eros

Angura (Underground Theatre) No. 14 (Shūji Terayama)
October, 1979 (Drama Lemming / Machine Dramaturgy)

1979, Japanese
Softcover, 26 x 18.5 cm
1st Edition, Out of print title / used / very good
Published by Tenjō Sajiki / Tokyo

$120.00 - Out of stock

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Rare copy of Angura (Underground Theatre) issue 14, 1979, the "Dramatic Theory Magazine" published in Tokyo by Shūji Terayama's radical avant-garde theatre company Tenjō Sajiki. With iconic cover photography by Shūji Terayama, this issue's special feature is ‘Drama Lemming / Machine Dramaturgy’, with contributions by Terayama, scenographer Nobutaka Kotake, playwright Rio Kishida, artist Panamarenko, producer Michi Tanaka, and many others. A very unique periodical that not only discusses in-depth the works of Angura theatre, but also the international avant-garde, inviting diverse critical perspectives on performance and anti- and living-theatre. Illustrated throughout with drawings, diagrams and photographs, texts, scripts in Japanese.

Tenjō Sajiki was a Japanese independent theater troupe co-founded by Shūji Terayama, Kujō Kyōko, Yutaka Higashi, Tadanori Yokoo, and Fumiko Takagi. Led by Japanese avant-garde poet, dramatist, writer, film director, and photographer Shūji Terayama, the prolific group was active between 1967 and 1983 (until Terayama's death). A major phenomenon on the Japanese Angura ("underground") theater scene, the group has produced a number of stage works marked by experimentalism, folklore influences, social provocation, grotesque eroticism and the flamboyant fantasy characteristic of Terayama's oeuvre. Tenjō Sajiki benefitted greatly from collaborations with a number of prominent artists, including musicians J. A. Seazer and Kan Mikami, and graphic designers Aquirax Uno and Tadanori Yokoo.

Shūji Terayama (1935 — 1983) was a Japanese avant-garde poet, dramatist, writer, film director, and photographer. His works range from radio drama, experimental television, underground (Angura) theatre, countercultural essays, to Japanese New Wave and "expanded" cinema. Terayama is considered one of the most productive and provocative creative artists to come out of Japan, with a wide-reaching influence on many artists from the 1970s onward.

File under: Shuji Terayama Shūji Terayama Tenjo Sajiki Tenjō Sajiki Tadanori Yokoo Nobutaka Kotake Rio Kishida Panamarenko Izumi Suzuki Tenjō Sajiki / Tokyo Film / Video Theory / Essay Out-of-print / Rare Performance / Dance / Theater Art Periodicals Eros

天井桟敷 (Ceiling Pier) 1967—1983
Tenjō Sajiki, Shūji Terayama

1996, Japanese
Softcover (staple-bound), unpaginated, 21.5 x 14 cm
1st Edition, Out of print title / used / very good
Published by Uplink / Japan

$80.00 - In stock -

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Issued in 1997 and long out-of-print, this tremendous little publication collects and reproduces every issue of 天井桟敷 "Ceiling Pier" newspaper, published by Shūji Terayama's experimental theatre troupe Tenjō Sajiki between 1967—1983. Ceiling Pier (a term for the cheap seats in a theatre, furthest from the stage) was the voice-piece for the "Theatre Laboratory" activities of Tenjō Sajiki and their associates, published throughout their entire existence, now all impossibly rare. Lovely document of this printed history, from issue No. 1 May 3, 1967 through to No. 26 March 15, 1983, all pages, all reduced to the size of a jacket pocket. Includes the work of collaborators musician J. A. Seazer, graphic artists Aquirax Uno and Tadanori Yokoo, playwright Yutaka Higashi, actress Eiko Kujo, art director Ryōichi Enomoto, illustrator Makoto Wada, playwright Jūrō Kara, and many more. Texts in Japanese.

Tenjō Sajiki was a Japanese independent theater troupe co-founded by Shūji Terayama, Kujō Kyōko, Yutaka Higashi, Tadanori Yokoo, and Fumiko Takagi. Led by Japanese avant-garde poet, dramatist, writer, film director, and photographer Shūji Terayama, the prolific group was active between 1967 and 1983 (until Terayama's death). A major phenomenon on the Japanese Angura ("underground") theater scene, the group has produced a number of stage works marked by experimentalism, folklore influences, social provocation, grotesque eroticism and the flamboyant fantasy characteristic of Terayama's oeuvre. Tenjō Sajiki benefitted greatly from collaborations with a number of prominent artists, including musicians J. A. Seazer and Kan Mikami, and graphic designers Aquirax Uno and Tadanori Yokoo.

Shūji Terayama (1935 — 1983) was a Japanese avant-garde poet, dramatist, writer, film director, and photographer. His works range from radio drama, experimental television, underground (Angura) theatre, countercultural essays, to Japanese New Wave and "expanded" cinema. Terayama is considered one of the most productive and provocative creative artists to come out of Japan, with a wide-reaching influence on many artists from the 1970s onward.

Very good with light wear and one fold to cover.

File under: Tenjo Sajiki Shuji Terayama Tenjō Sajiki Shūji Terayama J. A. Seazer Aquirax Uno Tadanori Yokoo Yutaka Higashi Eiko Kujo Ryōichi Enomoto Jūrō Kara Makoto Wada Izumi Suzuki Uplink / Japan Out-of-print / Rare Art Theory / Essay Illustration / Graphic Art / Bandes Dessinées Objects / Ephemera / A/V Film / Video

Throw Away Your Books, Rally in the Streets
Shuji Terayama, Tadanori Yokoo, Yasuhiro Yoshioka

1967, Japanese
Softcover (w. dust jacket), 310 pages, 21 x 15 cm
1st Edition, Out of print title / used / good
Published by Haga Bookstore / Japan

$250.00 - Out of stock

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Rare and iconic book, Throw Away Your Books, Rally in the Streets (1967) is a collaboration between legendary Japanese underground theater and film director Shuji Terayama, graphic designer Tadanori Yokoo and photographer/cinematographer Yasuhiro Yoshioka. As a precursor to Terayama's first audacious feature-length film of the same title, from 1971, this beautiful softcover book is filled with collages, photographs, graphics, drawings and texts (in Japanese), housed in an elaborate dust-jacket (with amazing Beatles homage lipstick collage on verso) typical of the bold and vibrant pop design style of Yokoo, establishes Terayama as a multi-talented avant-garde poet, dramatist, writer, film director, editor and photographer, and one of the central figures of the runaway movement in 1960s Japan. In the same year as this book was published, Terayama (in collaboration with Tadanori Yokoo and others) formed the Tenjo Sajiki, a major phenomenon on the Japanese Angura ("underground") theater scene, the prolific group was known for their stage works marked by experimentalism, folklore influences, social provocation, grotesque eroticism and the flamboyant fantasy characteristic of Terayama's oeuvre. An amazing and rare early example of their published collaborative work, wrapped in one of Yokoo's most iconic graphic works.

Shūji Terayama (1935 — 1983) was a Japanese avant-garde poet, dramatist, writer, film director, and photographer. His works range from radio drama, experimental television, underground (Angura) theatre, countercultural essays, to Japanese New Wave and "expanded" cinema. Terayama is considered one of the most productive and provocative creative artists to come out of Japan, with a wide-reaching influence on many artists from the 1970s onward.

Good copy with Good dust jacket. General tanning and foxing, with edge wear and surface wear to jacket.

File under: Shūji Terayama Tenjo Sajiki Shuji Terayama Tadanori Yokoo Haga Bookstore / Japan Out-of-print / Rare Art Performance / Dance / Theater Japanese Photography Illustration / Graphic Art / Bandes Dessinées Graphic Design / Typography Counterculture Eros Film / Video Pop Art Protest / Revolt Ero Guro / Erotic / Grotesque

Visual Message 1 & 2

1978 / 1979, Japanese
Softcover, 127 pages + 144 pages, 22.5 x 29 cm
1st Edition, Out of print title / used / good
Published by Visual Message / Tokyo

$150.00 - Out of stock

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First (1978) and second (1979) issues of Visual Message, the "comprehensive magazine of the visual age", published in Japan for a short period at the end of the 1970s. This explosive inaugural issue, co-edited by graphic designers Ikko Tanaka and Kazuya Uegami, and copywriter Shinya Nishimura and themed "Visual Scandal" is cover-to-cover packed with leading graphic artists, photographers, architects, textile designers, etc. from Japan and overseas including Tadanori Yokoo, Masao Saito, Harumi Yamaguchi, Masamichi Oikawa, Eiko Ishioka, Shigeo Fukuda, Tomi Ungerer, Masayuki Kurokawa, SITE, Tsunehisa Kimura, Tenmei Kano, Raymond Savignac, Katsumi Asaba, Ken Mori, Andy Warhol, Jean-Michel Folon, Asai Shinpei, Marcel Duchamp, Rene Magritte, Herb Lubalin, Osamu Nagahama, M.C. Escher, Shiro Tatsumi, Hiroki Hayashi, Masayoshi Nakajo, Hiroshi Yoda, Hipgnosis, and many more.

Second 1979 issue of Visual Message is structured around the themes "Before/After" and "Scale" and again is cover-to-cover packed with leading graphic artists, photographers, architects, textile designers, etc. from Japan and overseas including Tadanori Yokoo, Philip Johnson, Hideo Yamashita, Seiji Takada, Takahisa Kamijō, Haruo Takino, Takenobu Igarashi, Akira Yokoyama, Hisaki Hiramatsu, Takamichi Ito, Tomoya Nakano, Shōji Yamagishi, and many more.

V.M. 1. Good copy. Some cover/spine wear/creases/small closed tear to cover edge.
V.M. 2. Very Good copy. Light general wear, bumping.

File under: Tadanori Yokoo Masao Saito Harumi Yamaguchi Masamichi Oikawa Eiko Ishioka Shigeo Fukuda Tomi Ungerer Masayuki Kurokawa SITE Tsunehisa Kimura Tenmei Kano Raymond Savignac Katsumi Asaba Ken Mori Andy Warhol Jean-Michel Folon Asai Shinpei Marcel Duchamp Rene Magritte Herb Lubalin Osamu Nagahama M.C. Escher Shiro Tatsumi Hiroki Hayashi Masayoshi Nakajo Hiroshi Yoda Hipgnosis Philip Johnson Hideo Yamashita Seiji Takada Takahisa Kamijō Haruo Takino Takenobu Igarashi Akira Yokoyama Hisaki Hiramatsu Takamichi Ito Tomoya Nakano Shōji Yamagishi Visual Message / Tokyo Illustration / Graphic Art / Bandes Dessinées Out-of-print / Rare Periodicals Japanese Photography Photography Architecture / Interior Art Graphic Design / Typography Eros

ATG (Art Theatre Group) No. 64

1969, Japanese
Softcover (staple-bound), 54 pages, 23.5 x 15.5 cm
1st Edition, Out of print title / used / good
Published by ATG / Tokyo

$25.00 - Out of stock

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Rare copy of issue 64 of Tokyo's ATG (Art Theatre Group) publication, published in 1968/1969, with extensive cover features on the works of Japanese director Yoshida Yoshishige and French director Jean-Luc Godard. Includes many photographs, as well as filmographies on both directors, plus in-depth articles on Yoshishige's Farewell to the Summer Light (1968) and Godard's Le petit soldat (1963). Also includes an article and advertisements for Diary of a Shinjuku Thief by Nagisa Ōshima, listing for the ATG program, galleries and more.

Good—VG copt with some cover/spine wear.

File under: Jean-Luc Godard Tadanori Yokoo Nagisa Ōshima Yoshida Yoshishige Michel Subor Anna Karina Mariko Okada ATG / Tokyo Periodicals Out-of-print / Rare Film / Video Art Theory / Essay

Le Sang et La Rose No. 1, 1968

1968, Japanese / French
Softcover, 228 pages, 23 x 18 cm
1st Edition, Out of print title / used / very good
Published by Tensei Shuppan / Tokyo

$110.00 - Out of stock

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Revue de Érotologie, Homosexualité, Sadisme, Masochisme, Fétischisme, Narcissime, Infantilisme, Magie, Occultisme, Humour Noir, Complexe Psychisme. What more could you ask for? Le Sang Et La Rose is a masterpiece of the Japanese underground. A groundbreaking, powerful, yet short-lived Japanese arts and literary journal published in Tokyo from late 1968—mid 1969, published in a total of four luxurious, now collectible, volumes. The first three issues were edited by Tatsuhiko Shibusawa (1928—1987), a legendary, controversial Japanese novelist, art critic, translator of French writers such as Jean Cocteau, Georges Bataille and Marquis de Sade, and specialist in medieval demonology. The importance of this magazine to the Japanese avant-garde and radical culture cannot be overstated.

Born from a period of political, social and economical turmoil in Japan, Le Sang Et La Rose may be understood as a emblematic distillation and product of the late ‘60s student rebellion and anti-authoritarian underground culture. Wilfully politically subversive, the publication drew upon a vast range of perspectives - from criticism, literature, obscure esoteric sciences, art, eroticism, radical avant-garde and a historical-rooted Japanese counterculture; featuring literature, theory, art, photography, illustration and graphic design from the most innovative and subversive Japanese and international (predominately French) artists, authors and critics, spanning the themes above. As instigator, Tatsuhiko Shibusawa in effect formulated the magazine’s design to be a spiritual and political operative that would weaponize its readers minds. This stance was made clear in the 1969 manifesto text — "My 1969" — in which Shibusawa discuss' how he perceived the ‘60s as being the age of ideas, ideas as weapons, and outlined a distain towards systems of power, moralism, State oppression, sanitised and harmless liberalism, dogmatic academic sciences and an outright distrust for ideological, progressive literary scholars who advocate "freedom of expression", but have never caused friction with the judicial power. The magazine sketched out an aim to push towards a new kind of personal freedom, intellect, autonomy and moral compass. Here, the concept of ‘erotism’ — as discussed by Georges Bataille in his highly influential 1957 book "Erotism: Death and Sensuality" — acts as a critical force. 

Issue no. 1 (1968) sets the scene perfectly, opening with Japanese author Yukio Mishima depicted as Saint Sebastian by photographer Kishin Shinoyama in a pictorial feature "Les Morts Masculines", a photographic homage to Georges Bataille that also features the photography of Eikoh Hosoe, Ikkō Narahara, Masahisa Fukase, and Osamu Hayasaki, with models including Butoh founder Tatsumi Hijikata, actor Akira Mita, author Tatsuhiko Shibusawa, actor Jin Nakayama, playwright Jūrō Kara, and others. Other features include " All Japanese are Perverse" — stories by Japanese writers including Yukio Mishima, Taruho Inagaki, Yutaka Haniya, Shinji Sōya; Henry Miller's letters to Anais Nin; a colour gallery of artwork by Belgian painter Paul Delvaux; articles on Vampire fantasy in the arts (including many original illustrations; Witches (illustrated by James Ensor); Oriental Eros, Ancient Indian poetry; Kama Sutra; female bi-sexuality; the history of gay (Danshoku) theatre in Japan; the full-colour art gallery "Masturbation Machine", featuring avant-garde artists Natsuyuki Nakanishi, Masuo Ikeda, Setsu Nagasawa, Carlos Marchioli, Kuniyoshi Kaneko, Masakazu Horiuchi, Tadanori Yokoo, Koji Suzuki, Tommy Ungerer; the fully illustrated museum supplement "Pain and Pleasure : On Torture" by Tatsuhiko Shibusawa with artworks throughout history; pornographic stories by Guillaume Apollinaire and Nicolas Restif de la Bretonne (who coined the term "Pornographer"); fiction by Pierre Morion (pseudo. André Pieyre de Mandiargues); critic Jin'ichi Uekusa on the controversial writings of Roger Peyrefitte, illustrations by Ernst, Bellmer, Labisse, Fini, Lam, and much more.

Tatsuhiko Shibusawa (1928—1987), was a well-known and controversial Japanese novelist, art critic, and translator of French writers such as Jean Cocteau, Georges Bataille and Marquis de Sade. In 1960 he and his publisher, Kyōji Ishii, were trialled for public obscenity over the publishing of Shibusawa's translation of de Sade's Juliette into the Japanese language. What was to be known as the "Sade Trial" took 9 years and although many of Japan's leading authors testified for the defense, in 1969 the Japanese Supreme Court ruled them guilty and charged. This did not deter Shibusawa, whose essays on black magic, demonology and eroticism were popular reading in Japan, and in 1981 he was awarded the 9th Izumi Kyoka Literature Prize.

Good copy with some spine damage and tanning/wear.

File under: Max Ernst Léonor Fini Felix Labisse Wilfredo Lam Hans Bellmer Paul Delvaux Natsuyuki Nakanishi Masuo Ikeda Setsu Nagasawa Carlos Marchioli Kuniyoshi Kaneko Masakazu Horiuchi Tadanori Yokoo Koji Suzuki Tommy Ungerer Tatsumi Hijikata Tatsuhiko Shibusawa Eikoh Hosoe Ikkō Narahara Masahisa Fukase Osamu Hayasaki Kishin Shinoyama James Ensor Tatsuhiko Shibusawa Jin'ichi Uekusa Roger Peyrefitte Yukio Mishima Taruho Inagaki Yutaka Haniya Shinji Sōya Henry Miller Suehiro Tanemura Guillaume Apollinaire Andre Pieyre De Mandiargues Nicolas Restif de la Bretonne Jūrō Kara Tensei Shuppan / Tokyo Fiction / Poetry Japanese Photography Occult / Esoterica Philosophy Photography Art Illustration / Graphic Art / Bandes Dessinées Fetishism / BDSM LGBTQ+ Eros Ero Guro / Erotic / Grotesque Out-of-print / Rare Periodicals Counterculture Surrealism Symbolism / Decadence / Fin de siècle Transgressive / Visceral / Abject Ancient / Medieval / Gothic

Tadanori Yokoo
PUSH

1972, Japanese
Softcover (w. french-fold dust jacket and printed cardboard slipcase w. original obistrip), 246 pages, 13 x 19.5 cm
1st Edition, Out of print title / used / very good
Published by Kodansha Int / Tokyo

$160.00 - Out of stock

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The very scarce and unique PUSH by Tadanori Yokoo, published in 1972 and featuring photography by Kishin Shinoyama and Daido Moriyama.

After a car accident in 1972 Tadanori Yokoo decided to take a two year hiatus from work at the height of his fame. PUSH is a visually inventive dairy of this period beautifully designed by Yokoo himself with colour nude girl photographs and b/w self-portraits of the artist by none other than Kishin Shinoyama, Daido Moriyama and Tadashi Krahashi. A gorgeous and curious production with humorous over-printing and incredible design, housed in original printed slipcase with the original publisher's obi-strip.

Tadanori Yokoo (b. 1936) is one of Japan's most successful and internationally recognized graphic designers and artists, who began working with painting in 1966. In parallel, Yokoo’s early screenprints experimented with collage and illustration, combining found photographs with the influence of traditional Japanese ukiyo-e and pop art’s flat vibrant colours and overtly sexual and grotesque content, often reflecting on the rapid changes and Westernisation of Japan post-war society. His interests in mysticism and esotericism, deepened by travels to India, influenced his iconic posters with eclectic psychedelic imagery sharing the aesthetics of the underground counterculture he was associated with. In Tokyo, Yokoo worked as a stage designer for avant-garde theatre, collaborating extensively with Shūji Terayama and his experimental theater group Tenjō Sajiki. By the late 60s he had already achieved international recognition and in the early 1970s MoMA mounted a solo exhibition of his graphic work. His famous designs for The Beatles, Miles Davis, Carlos Santana and collaborations with friend and iconic Japanese fashion designer Issey Miyake are renowned the world over. He also starred as a protagonist in Nagisa Oshima's film Diary of a Shinjuku Thief in 1968.

Very Good—Near Fine copy, with only light wear and age. Very well preserved and complete.

File under: Daido Moriyama Kishin Shinoyama Tadashi Krahashi Tadanori Yokoo Tadanori Yokoo Kodansha Int / Tokyo Art Graphic Design / Typography Out-of-print / Rare Photography Drugs / Psychedelia Japanese Photography Illustration / Graphic Art / Bandes Dessinées Pop Art Performance / Dance / Theater

Bondage Fantasy (SALE2 Special Issue)
cover by Tadanori Yokoo

1991, Japanese
Softcover, unpaginated, 26 x 21 cm
1st Edition, Out of print title / used / very good
Published by Fiction Inc. / Tokyo

$120.00 - Out of stock

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Stunning special edition of the great SALE2 periodical from Tokyo Japan, dedicated to the theme of Bondage Fantasy. With cover design by Tadanori Yokoo and design by Makoto Ohrui and edited by Japanese novelist Mari Akasaka, this 1991 volume is profusely illustrated throughout showcasing the erotic illustration and photography of artists John Willie, Irving Klaw, Eric Stanton, ENEG, Jim, Bill Ward, Jay, Tealdo, Europa, Gilles Berquet, Wolfgang Eicher. Perfectly compiled in the way SALE2 did so well, with elegant scrapbook style, dense with imagery, blown-up, full-bleed reproductions from many publications, and although a primarily visual volume packed cover-to-cover with illustrations, it also features a number of interviews with the artists in Japanese. Highly recommended!

Published regularly as a sort-of fanzine/journal/catalogue/pocket-book by Fiction, Inc., a specialty shop and publisher of fetish and erotica in Tokyo in the 1980-90s. Each issue covers different themes and features, heavy on fetishism.

Mari Akasaka (b. 1964) is a Japanese novelist born in Suginami, Tokyo, and studied Politics in the Law Department at Keio University. In 1999 her novel Vibrator was nominated for the Akutagawa Prize, which was adapted into a 2003 film directed by Ryūichi Hiroki. She was again nominated for the Akutagawa prize in 2000 for her novel, Muse, and won the Noma Literary Prize for New Writers for the same novel.

Very Good copy, with some light wear to cover, inc. one crease to cover corner.

File under: Tadanori Yokoo John Willie Irving Klaw Eric Stanton Jim Bill Ward Jay Tealdo Europa Gilles Berquet Wolfgang Eicher Makoto Ohrui Eneg ENEG Mari Akasaka Fiction Inc. / Tokyo Eros Out-of-print / Rare Periodicals Photography Illustration / Graphic Art / Bandes Dessinées Drawing Art Fashion LGBTQ+ Weird / Speculative / Science Fiction Fetishism / BDSM Counterculture

Harumi Yamaguchi
Harumi Gals (Parco View 2)

1978, Japanese
Softcover (w. obi-strip), 98 pages, 30 x 42 cm
1st Edition, Out of print title / used / good
Published by PARCO / Tokyo

$190.00 - Out of stock

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First printing of the great "Harumi Gals" from 1978. Legendary over-sized, glossy, and long out-of-print airbrush artbook from the incredible Harumi Yamaguchi, published by PARCO in Tokyo.

Airbrush illustrator Harumi Yamaguchi was one of the world's leading commercial artbrush artists of the 1970's. Born in Matsue in the Shimane prefecture, Yamaguchi graduated from Tokyo University of the Arts with a degree in oil painting. After working for the publicity department of Seibu Department Stores, Yamaguchi begun her career as a freelance illustrator, participating in the advertising production for PARCO with its opening in 1969. Since 1972 Yamaguchi has depicted female figures using airbrush techniques, instantly establishing herself as an illustrator that symbolized her era.

The encounter between Yamaguchi and PARCO was an inevitable one. Tsuji Masuda whom served as the president of PARCO had established plans for creating a department store that functioned as a cultural facility, collectively combining platforms such as museums, theater, and publishing in addition to retail, and as a result had headhunted Yamaguchi for this endeavor. As could be seen in Masuda’s decision of appointing Eiko Ishioka for the art direction, Kazuko Koike as copywriter, and Harumi Yamaguchi for the illustration, PARCO had soon focused on ‘women’ as a major driving source behind Japanese society of 1970s and onward, further succeeding in diverting this power to the business sector. Yamaguchi’s female figures are far from notions of eroticism as portrayed allegedly through male eyes in the form of pin-ups. On the contrary, the women themselves appear to joyously celebrate their own sexuality and existence. Furthermore, the images of women partaking in boxing, baseball, and skateboarding which Yamaguchi had illustrated in the 70s, could be interpreted as an ironic gesture towards a male-dominant society at a time prior to the establishment of the Equal Employment Opportunity Act in 1985; an era when women were unable to equally advance into society.

In the catalog published in correspondence to “Women of the 70s PARCO Poster Exhibition 1969-1986” that took place at the Tokyo Metropolitan Museum of Photography in 2001, Chizuko Ueno had critiqued Yamaguchi’s works stating, “while appearing to adhere to the scenario of male-tailored eroticism, Yamaguchi deconstructs male desire through her exaggerative depictions. As a consequence, the female body is idealized to a realm unreachable by male hands.” (‘The Idea of the Woman’)

Alberto Vargas, famous for his pin-ups for Esquire magazine and Playboy, is notably the international pioneer of airbrush illustrations. However, in the context of early ‘70s Japan there were no pre-eminent illustrators working with the airbrush medium with the exception Harumi Yamaguchi. It is certain that Yamaguchi’s achievements will continue to receive acclaim as an inaugural figure of super-real illustration that took Japan’s advertising industry of the 70s and 80s by storm.

Alongside her huge collection of women, Yamaguchi's great staged reference photographs are included, with photgraphy by Michiko Matsumoto and Hideki Hosoya and Graphic Design by the Tadanori Yokoo!

Good, tight copy with original obi-strip (not pictured), general wear and ageing/discolouring for over-sized book.

File under: Harumi Yamaguchi Tadanori Yokoo PARCO / Tokyo Art Fashion Illustration / Graphic Art / Bandes Dessinées Out-of-print / Rare Eros

Visual Message 1 & 2

1978 / 1979, Japanese
Softcover, 127 pages + 144 pages, 22.5 x 29 cm
1st Edition, Out of print title / used / very good
Published by Visual Message / Tokyo

$150.00 - Out of stock

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First (1978) and second (1979) issues of Visual Message, the "comprehensive magazine of the visual age", published in Japan for a short period at the end of the 1970s. This explosive inaugural issue, co-edited by graphic designers Ikko Tanaka and Kazuya Uegami, and copywriter Shinya Nishimura and themed "Visual Scandal" is cover-to-cover packed with leading graphic artists, photographers, architects, textile designers, etc. from Japan and overseas including Tadanori Yokoo, Masao Saito, Harumi Yamaguchi, Masamichi Oikawa, Eiko Ishioka, Shigeo Fukuda, Tomi Ungerer, Masayuki Kurokawa, SITE, Tsunehisa Kimura, Tenmei Kano, Raymond Savignac, Katsumi Asaba, Ken Mori, Andy Warhol, Jean-Michel Folon, Asai Shinpei, Marcel Duchamp, Rene Magritte, Herb Lubalin, Osamu Nagahama, M.C. Escher, Shiro Tatsumi, Hiroki Hayashi, Masayoshi Nakajo, Hiroshi Yoda, Hipgnosis, and many more.

Second 1979 issue of Visual Message is structured around the themes "Before/After" and "Scale" and again is cover-to-cover packed with leading graphic artists, photographers, architects, textile designers, etc. from Japan and overseas including Tadanori Yokoo, Philip Johnson, Hideo Yamashita, Seiji Takada, Takahisa Kamijō, Haruo Takino, Takenobu Igarashi, Akira Yokoyama, Hisaki Hiramatsu, Takamichi Ito, Tomoya Nakano, Shōji Yamagishi, and many more.

V.M. 1. Good copy. Some cover/spine wear/creases/small closed tear to edge.
V.M. 2. Very Good copy. Light general wear.

File under: Ikko Tanaka Raymond Savignac Harumi Yamaguchi Andy Warhol Marcel Duchamp Rene Magritte Tadanori Yokoo SITE Tsunehisa Kimura Shigeo Fukuda Tomi Ungerer Jean-Michel Folon Eiko Ishioka Katsu Yoshida Tenmei Kano Asai Shinpei Masao Saito Katsumi Asaba Ken Mori Herb Lubalin M.C. Escher Masayuki Kurokawa Masamichi Oikawa Hipgnosis Shiro Tatsumi Hiroki Hayashi Masayoshi Nakajo Hiroshi Yoda Osamu Nagahama Visual Message / Tokyo Eros Out-of-print / Rare Periodicals Art Illustration / Graphic Art / Bandes Dessinées Architecture / Interior Italian Radical Design / Postmodernism Fashion Graphic Design / Typography Japanese Photography