There's something about Michael Kenna's photographs that etches them into your memory. When I visited his exhibition at Japan House in London in October 2024, I found myself drawn into each frame, captivated by the quietude and precision that defines his work. I would imagine that many others who visited the exhibition either left with a book, many books, or many books and a print! I had to be careful to keep my wallet firmly tucked away knowing that the book was already en route to me as a Christmas gift!
ABOUT THE BOOK
JAPAN: A Love Story represents decades of Kenna's patient exploration of the Japanese landscape, and it's a masterclass in restraint. His signature black-and-white aesthetic feels almost destined for Japanese subject matter and cultural influences. The minimalist compositions, the careful attention to form and negative space, the way he captures fog rolling over temple grounds or solitary trees against vast skies: it all speaks to a photographer who truly understands the concept of ma, the Japanese appreciation of empty space.
What struck me most, both at the exhibition and in the book, is Kenna's consistency. He's developed a visual language that's immediately recognisable, yet never feels repetitive. Each photograph feels like a meditation, whether he's capturing the geometric patterns of a Zen garden, the ghostly silhouettes of an ancient temple, or the seemingly quiet and ‘mundane’ moments on a small coastline or lake shore. Everything is so accurately placed yet not at the expense of unfolding rhythms and flow.
The book itself is a beautiful object, as we’ve come to expect from Nazraeli Press releases, something to return to again and again. It's the kind of photography book that rewards slow viewing, where you can lose yourself in the subtle gradations of grey and the contemplative mood that permeates every image. The external cover has a textured fabric feel which adds to the luxurious feel of the whole production. The book also benefits from an interesting foreword by Kohtaro Iizawa the Japanese photography critic. It sets the scene for us to learn more about Japanese aesthetics and also ground Kenna’s work in the long lineage of Japanese art appreciation.
Book Details
Title: JAPAN
Photographer: Michael Kenna
Publisher: Nazraeli Press
Pages: 136
Images: 100 plates
Format: Hardcover
Dimensions: 10.5 × 13 inches
Year: 2024
IN SUMMARY
If you have any appreciation for fine art photography or Japanese aesthetics, this book deserves a place on your shelf. It's more than a collection of images—it's an invitation to see the world through a more contemplative lens. I’ve seen many ‘look-a-likes’ over the years (probably including myself at certain points!) but there is only one MK and this book in particular is an absolute joy to flick through and lose yourself in.
Oh, and if you ever get chance to see Michael Kenna’s prints in person at an exhibition I say don’t miss it, they are exquisitely printed and framed, just be mindful of your bank balance!