425 pp. volume on the development of modernism in Japan and abroad, illustrated with reproductions from photographs on plates. Octavo (8 1/8 x 6 inches). Original cloth with mounted cover illustration, accompanied by original slipcase with mounted paper title label. Some small tears and losses to slipcase, extremely minor soiling to boards, very light marginal foxing, interior mostly clean and bright, overall very good. Tokyo: Rokubunkan, 1932.

Takao Itagaki (1894-1966) was a Japanese academic and art historian and a pioneer in the study of photography, modern architecture, and cinema. He spent time in Europe where he was influenced by the German New Objectivity (Neue Sachlichkeit) style. Itagaki praised the functional beauty of "modern machinery", including airplanes, ocean liners, bridges, film, and skyscrapers. His work often focused on introducing Japan to the work of contemporary European artists, architects, and filmmakers. He was considered the foremost proponent of modernism in pre-war Japan, and had “studied in Europe and been exposed to German visual sensibility, particularly the New Objectivity movement led by Franz Roh. After returning to Japan, Itagaki began publishing essays promoting an art of mechanical civilization in all genres of expression” (Joe Takeba, The History of Japanese Photography, p. 146).

This volume represents an important point in Itagaki's series of publications in which he explores the cultural transfer of Modernism to Japan. The photographic plates include illustrations of domestic and commercial architecture, interiors, theaters, transit including automobiles, trains, and ships, skyscrapers, advertising, and lighting.

Scarce institutionally; as of July 2026, OCLC locates four holdings of this volume in North American libraries.

Book ID: 53728

Price: $2,250.00