Untitled, Tokyo, 1969. From the series Protest. © Shomei Tomatsu

Thanks to the generosity of Japanese photography expert Marc Feustel of Studio Equis, and the Michael Hoppen Gallery, both of London, Lens Culture is pleased to be able to publish an extended excerpt of the new book, Eyes of an Island, Japanese Photography 1945-2007.

The book traces the evolution of Japanese photography since the end of World War II. Feustel's introductory essay charts three stages of development of Japanese photography: from post-war documentary bearing witness to the destruction of war; turning inward to personal and subjective interpretations of the rapid changes in Japanese society; to a contemporary movement which consistently pushes the boundaries of the photographic medium.

The essay in Lens Culture includes images from Hiromi Tsuchida, Toshio Shibata, Shomei Tomatsu, Eikoh Hosoe, Shigeichi Nagano, and Hiroshi Hamaya. The book, of course, includes images from many other key photographers. The work of all of these photographers illustrates the diversity and virtuosity of the unique Japanese visual language.

Highly recommended.