I have been asked to make a selection of 10 Japanese photobooks for the 10x10 Japanese photobooks. Here is my statement for this, and my choice.

I love the pondering side of Japanese photography. Japanese photobooks are compilations of poems for me. Some poets are well known; some use light; some use nostalgia. I love the magic of Japanese photobooks —a magic that can only be encountered during a visit to Japan.

Shuichiro Shibata, Bus stop (Tokyo: Little More, 2010)

Bus stops are everywhere, especially in Japan, so it is an excuse for Shibata-san to make a portrait of the country. More pictures of the book here.

Tomomi Matsutani, 2010.3 (Self-published, 2010)

“Miss, it’s snowing !”. The snow scene is my photographic magnet, too. So I felt very much attracted to this trip. More pictures of the book here.

Shingo Wakagi, T (Hamamatsu, Shizuoka: Young Tree Press, 2001)

An inventory of Shingo Wakagi’s grandfather’s tools. As the man was getting older, he had made his tools lighter so that he can use them for his farm-work. A great and simple lesson. All black and white.

Hiroshi Nomura, Exdora (Self-published, 2008 (reprint of 1991))

A xerox self-published book with a Japanese binding. See more pictures of the book here.

Shinichiro Kobayashi, American Twins (Magazine House, 1992)

What could be American photographs (theme, way to photograph, light…) but Japanese.

Daisaku Nishimiya, Hi mi tsu ki chi (Tokyo: Shogakukan, 2009)

Photographs of children huts in Tokyo. See more pictures here.

Orie Ichihashi, Paris (Tokyo: PIE books, 2011)

The very first time I’m being surprised with Paris photographs. My city. I love it again through Ichibashi’s eyes. See more pictures of the book here.

Masafumi Sanai, Ikiteiru (Seigensha, 1997)

A book Pierre brought me from a Tokyo trip, Sanai-san quickly became one of my favorite Japanese photographers. More pictures of the book here. More Masafumi Sanai books there.

Katsumi Omori, Bonjour (Tokyo: Match and co, 2010)

An (unfocused) rabbit story. More pictures of the book here.

Syoin Kajii, Nami (Tokyo: Foil, 2007)

Photographs or Japanese water prints? I got this book signed from Syoin Kajii, a Buddhist monk in the Paris Photo fair.

More details about the ICP Library Reading room, live 28-30 September 12, with 100 photobooks selected by 10 specialists there, and the online “space” with another 100 books chosen by online specialists.

Ken (my new notebook) / 748 / Microcord /  Parapera / A Japanese photobook / Book dummy press / Visual culture blog / Des Livres et des Photos / Eyecurious

An event sponsored by ICP Library, organized by Russet Lederman, Matthew Carson and Olga Yatskevich.

Originally published 2004 by Little More, then published 2005 by Foil , this one is a 2010 reprint (Foil), bought at Dashwood NYC while my NY trip in June

Published 2010 by Foil, bought during Paris Photo.

Published 2010 by Foil, bought at Paris Photo in november. I have selected this book in my best books of 2010 / Photoeye

Syoin Kajii was there on Foil’s booth at Paris photo, so I was lucky enough to get my book signed.

I love this book, for its comtenplative part. A  wisdom feeling comes out of these water pictures.

Sharp. Sharply amazing.

The artist is a buddhist monk, there are similarities in this photography work and sutra.

Incredible !

Published 2009 by Foil, I bought this book in September at the Jeu de Paume bookstore, 54 euros.

I love this sands pictures. I thought I already had those pictures in a book or magazine, but can’t remember.

When I saw this book in the store, I needed it.

The other chapters are not as strong, but still interesting.