Autograph Session to Commemorate the Publication of a Photobook

Daido Moriyama has spoken of receiving profound inspiration from Dazai's novels during his adolescence, a period when he disdained school and immersed himself in films and literature, finding his learning in the streets. Though Dazai's life spanned a mere 15 years, from 1933 to 1948, his unflinching narratives, diverse and captivating, left an indelible mark on 20th-century Japanese literature and continue to be highly regarded internationally.

In homage to Dazai, Moriyama has released the photobook 'Daido Moriyama: DAZAI,' a selection of his monochrome works taken from the 1970s to the present. This project, the fifth in a series, is a collaboration between art director Gaku Machida, curator Hisako Otake, and Moriyama himself, aiming to share his work with the world. Alongside Moriyama's timeless monochrome photographs, the book includes both Japanese and English editions of Dazai's 1947 masterpiece, the short story 'Villon's Wife'.



This exhibition, held to celebrate the publication, features approximately 50 works, primarily those included in the photobook. Additionally, an autograph session with Daido Moriyama will take place at the venue on Saturday, January 10th.

'Villon's Wife' unfolds through the feminine voice of the protagonist, who embodies Dazai himself, and 'Satchan,' modeled after his wife. 'Dazai's novels resonate perfectly with the post-war imagery I've perceived and remembered through my senses of smell and sight,' says Daido Moriyama. One can only anticipate the works that will be presented as homage to Dazai. We invite you to step into a world where a preeminent Japanese photographer and novelist resonate across time.

Daido Moriyama Photo Exhibition 'DAZAI'
Dates: Saturday, December 20th – Monday, February 23rd, 2015 (Closed Mondays and Tuesdays, except for the final day, and from December 29th to January 6th).
Hours: 1:00 PM – 7:00 PM
Venue: AM
Jingumae Heights 301/302, 6-33-14 Jingumae, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo
Tel. 03-5778-3913

Daido Moriyama Photobook 'Daido Moriyama: DAZAI'
Publisher: MATCH and Company MMM
Estimated Price: ¥5,400

Daido Moriyama Autograph Session
Date: Saturday, January 10th
Time: 3:00 PM – 4:00 PM
Venue: AM