ART | 'Enoshima' by photographer Eiichiro Sakata, unveiled for the first time at the Hara Museum

ART│The Individuality of Youth Revealed Through Objects Left on the Shore

Enoshima by Photographer Eiichiro Sakata Premieres at Hara Museum

The Hara Museum will present the premiere exhibition of "Enoshima," a series by Eiichiro Sakata, a master of portraiture, focusing on "portraits without people." The exhibition runs from Saturday, July 13, to Sunday, September 29.

Text by YANAKA Tomomi

Approximately 40 Photographs Rendered in Vivid Color and Contrast

Eiichiro Sakata has been the photographer behind the cover portraits for the magazine "AERA" since its launch in 1988. In 2004, he held a solo exhibition, "PIERCING THE SKY," at the Tokyo Photographic Art Museum, which garnered significant attention. The following year, in 2005, he received the Domon Ken Award and the Photographer of the Year award from the Photographic Society of Japan.

Enoshima coast, a place Sakata has visited for 16 years since the late 1990s. "Enoshima," a collection of vivid still lifes of objects brought to the shore by those enjoying the summer, and portraits of vibrant young people, makes its debut at the Hara Museum.

Many of the photographs in this series depict what young people leave behind on the sandy beach: the scorched sand of midsummer, colorful leisure sheets spread out, casually placed towels and sandals, personal belongings like pouches, and even half-finished drinks and cigarettes. What emerges from these scenes are their individualities and a reflection of contemporary Japan.

The exhibition features 40 photographs captured with large 8x10 and 4x5 inch film, rendered in images of vivid color and contrast. Alongside "portraits without people" where the depicted objects speak to their owners' personalities and lifestyles, the exhibition also includes portraits of energetic young people who posed for Sakata at his request.

"I feel a positive energy from the young people, and I want everyone living in this complex and uncertain era to feel invigorated," says Sakata. His wish for the future, born from his dedication to his subjects and his keen observation of the times, is imbued in these vivid still lifes and portraits.

Eiichiro Sakata──Enoshima
Exhibition Dates│Saturday, July 13 – Sunday, September 29
Closed on Mondays, except for Monday, July 15; Monday, September 16; and Monday, September 23, when the museum will be open and closed the following day.
Hours│11:00 – 17:00 (Until 20:00 on Wednesdays) (Last admission 30 minutes before closing)
Venue│Hara Museum
4-7-25 Kita-Shinagawa, Shinagawa-ku, Tokyo
Tel. 03-3445-0651
Admission│General ¥1000, University/High School Students ¥700, Elementary/Junior High School Students ¥500