Naohiro Harada, Tokyo Fishgraphs, 2022 Artist Book

Naohiro Harada’s (b. 1982, Japanese) series is an attempt to explore the origin of the eccentricity of Japanese visual culture through the usage of traditional methods by composing a fictional documentary for the audienceless 2020 Olympics, which was postponed due to the restrictions of the pandemic.

During this phantasmal time, Harada decided to convert the strange experience into a series of contemporary Mitate-e, i.e. a genre term within Japanese art that witfully plays with allusions, puns, and gaps in what we understand, by depicting and parodying historical and traditional events.

During 2020 and 2021, people were forced to refrain from meeting face-to-face, and the city was almost empty for a period of time, which was an unrealistic sight.

If the Tokyo 2020 Summer Olympics had been held as initially planned, the fishes Harada photographed might have been tasted as sushi by the visitors of the world.

The book contains 32 ukiyo-e prints by Utagawa Hiroshige (b. 1797, d. 1858, Japanese) and a preface written by the author.

First edition of 500 copies. Special edition of 30 copies, numbered, with signed original print. Choice of 3 prints — 10 copies of each print.

Naohiro Harada is the recipient of the 2022 Libraryman Award.

22.8 x 26.1 cm. 80 pages. 70 color plates.
Offset printed paperbound hardcover. Linen thread bound. Blind embossing on spine and back cover, with authentic tip-in image on front cover. Dustcover in offset, with typography on spine, back cover and flaps in black foil. Blue headband.

ISBN 978–91–88113–59–7

Published in 2022.