Seiryu Inoue
Encyclopedia
was a renowned Japan
ese photographer.
Born in 1931 in Tosa
, Kōchi Prefecture, Inoue became the first apprentice to Takeji Iwamiya
in Osaka
in 1951. While continuing to work with Iwamiya in 1954 he started work as temporary cameraman for Asahi Broadcasting Corporation
in Osaka.
Iwamiya recognized his talent and from 1958 encouraged the young Inoue to roam the streets of Kamagasaki
in Nishinari-ku, Osaka
, permitting him to develop his private work in the studio darkroom. During the 1950s Inoue developed a reputation as a young documentary photographer. In 1959 he was a prizewinner in the Fuji Photo Film Contest Professional Section. In Tokyo during May 1960 he held his first solo exhibition, “The Hundred Faces of Kamagasaki” and received in 1961 the Newcomer's Award from the Japan Photography Critics' Association. Also in 1961 “The Hundred Faces of Kamagasaki” was awarded Newcomer Prize by Camera Geijutsu magazine.
In 1959 Daidō Moriyama
joined Iwamiya's studio before moving to Tokyo
in 1961. Moriyama credits Inoue with setting him on the road to photography and as being highly influential in developing his photographic style.
Writing for Inoue's Retrospective exhibition in 2005, Moriyama wrote: "his words - 'You coming, Mori?' - calling me to accompany him to Kamagasaki set me on the road to becoming a photographer" and "without the pioneering Inoue I would not have set out upon the long road of photography that I have followed".
Inoue continued to work in Osaka
, becoming teacher in documentary photography at Osaka Geijutsu (Art) University, eventually becoming full professor in 1987.
Following his work in Kamagasaki, Inoue photographed ethnic Koreans emigrating from Japan to North Korea
and the festivals and city of Kyoto
, among other subjects. He was engaged in photographing daily life on the Amami Islands
in Kagoshima Prefecture
when he met an accidental death in Tokunoshima
in 1988.
Japan
Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
ese photographer.
Born in 1931 in Tosa
Tosa, Kochi
is a city in Kōchi, Japan. It is located on the southern coast of the island of Shikoku.As of October 31, 2007, the city has an estimated population of 29,782 and the density of 325 persons per km²...
, Kōchi Prefecture, Inoue became the first apprentice to Takeji Iwamiya
Takeji Iwamiya
was a Japanese photographer particularly known for his depiction of architecture, gardens, and Japanese crafts.-Career:Iwamiya was born on 4 January 1920 in Yonago, Tottori, the second son of parents running a shop selling traditional confectionery...
in Osaka
Osaka
is a city in the Kansai region of Japan's main island of Honshu, a designated city under the Local Autonomy Law, the capital city of Osaka Prefecture and also the biggest part of Keihanshin area, which is represented by three major cities of Japan, Kyoto, Osaka and Kobe...
in 1951. While continuing to work with Iwamiya in 1954 he started work as temporary cameraman for Asahi Broadcasting Corporation
Asahi Broadcasting Corporation
is a regional radio and television broadcaster headquartered in Osaka, Japan, serving in the Kansai region.-Offices:*Headquarters: 1-30, Fukushima Itchome, Fukushima-ku, Osaka-shi, Japan...
in Osaka.
Iwamiya recognized his talent and from 1958 encouraged the young Inoue to roam the streets of Kamagasaki
Kamagasaki
is an old place name for a part of Nishinari-ku in Osaka, Japan. became the area's official name in May 1966.-Geography:Sections of four different towns — , , , and — are collectively known as Kamagasaki.- Transport :*West Japan Railway Company...
in Nishinari-ku, Osaka
Nishinari-ku, Osaka
is one of the 24 wards of Osaka, Japan. It contains some shopping and entertainment areas beloved to many Osakans, e.g. Shinsekai and Tamade. It lies directly south of the Namba transport hub and extends further south toward Sumiyoshi Park. It is served by the Nankai Railway lines as well as the...
, permitting him to develop his private work in the studio darkroom. During the 1950s Inoue developed a reputation as a young documentary photographer. In 1959 he was a prizewinner in the Fuji Photo Film Contest Professional Section. In Tokyo during May 1960 he held his first solo exhibition, “The Hundred Faces of Kamagasaki” and received in 1961 the Newcomer's Award from the Japan Photography Critics' Association. Also in 1961 “The Hundred Faces of Kamagasaki” was awarded Newcomer Prize by Camera Geijutsu magazine.
In 1959 Daidō Moriyama
Daido Moriyama
is a Japanese photographer noted for his images depicting the breakdown of traditional values in post-war Japan.- Life and career :Born in Ikeda, Osaka, Daidō Moriyama studied photography under Takeji Iwamiya before moving to Tokyo in 1961 to work as an assistant to Eikoh Hosoe...
joined Iwamiya's studio before moving to Tokyo
Tokyo
, ; officially , is one of the 47 prefectures of Japan. Tokyo is the capital of Japan, the center of the Greater Tokyo Area, and the largest metropolitan area of Japan. It is the seat of the Japanese government and the Imperial Palace, and the home of the Japanese Imperial Family...
in 1961. Moriyama credits Inoue with setting him on the road to photography and as being highly influential in developing his photographic style.
Writing for Inoue's Retrospective exhibition in 2005, Moriyama wrote: "his words - 'You coming, Mori?' - calling me to accompany him to Kamagasaki set me on the road to becoming a photographer" and "without the pioneering Inoue I would not have set out upon the long road of photography that I have followed".
Inoue continued to work in Osaka
Osaka
is a city in the Kansai region of Japan's main island of Honshu, a designated city under the Local Autonomy Law, the capital city of Osaka Prefecture and also the biggest part of Keihanshin area, which is represented by three major cities of Japan, Kyoto, Osaka and Kobe...
, becoming teacher in documentary photography at Osaka Geijutsu (Art) University, eventually becoming full professor in 1987.
Following his work in Kamagasaki, Inoue photographed ethnic Koreans emigrating from Japan to North Korea
North Korea
The Democratic People’s Republic of Korea , , is a country in East Asia, occupying the northern half of the Korean Peninsula. Its capital and largest city is Pyongyang. The Korean Demilitarized Zone serves as the buffer zone between North Korea and South Korea...
and the festivals and city of Kyoto
Kyoto
is a city in the central part of the island of Honshū, Japan. It has a population close to 1.5 million. Formerly the imperial capital of Japan, it is now the capital of Kyoto Prefecture, as well as a major part of the Osaka-Kobe-Kyoto metropolitan area.-History:...
, among other subjects. He was engaged in photographing daily life on the Amami Islands
Amami Islands
The are a group of islands that is part of the Satsunan Islands, which are then part of the Nansei Islands. The islands are part of Kagoshima Prefecture, in the Kyūshū region of Japan...
in Kagoshima Prefecture
Kagoshima Prefecture
is a prefecture of Japan located on the island of Kyushu. The capital is the city of Kagoshima.- Geography :Kagoshima Prefecture is located at the southwest tip of Kyushu and includes a chain of islands stretching further to the southwest for a few hundred kilometers...
when he met an accidental death in Tokunoshima
Tokunoshima
is an island in the Amami Islands of southwestern Japan. Administatively it belongs to Kagoshima Prefecture. Three towns are located on the island: Tokunoshima, Isen, and Amagi...
in 1988.
Books of Inoue's works
- Inoue Seiryū Shashinshū Kamagasaki / Seiryū Inoue Photography Book: Kamagasaki Ginga Shobo, Osaka, 1985. Includes poetry by Kamagasaki resident Higashibuchi Osamu . In Japanese.
- Hysteric One: Inoue Seiryu Hysteric Glamour, Tokyo, 2005.
- Shashinka Inoue Seiryū Kaikoten / Retrospective Exhibition of Seiryū Inoue, Photographer. Amagasaki City Sogo Bunka Centre, 2005. In Japanese. This book also contains a detailed biography and several articles in memory of Inoue, including one by Daidō MoriyamaDaido Moriyamais a Japanese photographer noted for his images depicting the breakdown of traditional values in post-war Japan.- Life and career :Born in Ikeda, Osaka, Daidō Moriyama studied photography under Takeji Iwamiya before moving to Tokyo in 1961 to work as an assistant to Eikoh Hosoe...
. - Inoue Seiryu / Kojima Ichiro Rat Hole, Tokyo, 2007.