In this
book 100 propaganda magazines, published between 1931 to 1972, are introduced.
The front cover and middle page of each magazine is introduced by year along
with a brief overview. By “propaganda magazines” we mean such magazines
promoting political, military and cultural ideas as is represented by the
magazines NIPPON (Nihon Kobou) and FRONT (Tohosha). Also included in these 100
magazines is tourist guides, export product catalogues, world fair catalogues
and Olympic brochures. In such “propaganda magazines” published by the
government or large companies generous budgets were provided for such
publications. Accordingly, many persons who have contributed greatly to the
history of Japanese photography and graphic design are introduced. (For example
in NIPPON such persons as; Yonosuke Natori, Takashi Kono, Fumio Yamana, Yusaku
Kamekura, Goro Kumada, Ken Domon and Shihachi Fujimoto. In FRONT such persons
as; Tatsuo Hayashi, Hiromu Hara, Seiichi Tagawa, Ihei Kimura, Yoshio Watanabe
and Hiroshi Hamaya). As a result, by
looking at the graphics in these magazines one can see how the world currents
in graphics have been arranged to form a unique Japanese modernism. A look at
the news photos and advertisements in these magazines vividly illustrates
Japan’s evolution over this time span. The people who lived, the cities that
existed and the thoughts that were prevalent at that time are all extensively
recorded. Even though time has passed the vitality of these times can still be
felt.
Author: Yoshiyuki Morioka
Price: 3,800 yen + tax (ISBN: 978-4-86100-826-9) Format: 182 × 257 mm, 208 pages (Full color) Hardcover with Jacket
Language: Japanese
Release date: 26th October 2012
