Shinzo Fukuhara and his Contemporaries:
- The Shiseido Photographic Design Department and Protégé of Fukuhara.
- Fukuhara the Nihon Shashin Kai (Japan Photographic Society).

Shinzo Fukuhara was a photographic pioneer who's considered the father of Japanese modern art photography. Publishing seven books and over 100 articles in his lifetime, the wealthy Fukuhara was also a patron of all the arts and supported young and aspiring artists as well as founding the Nihon Shashin-kai or Japan Photographic Society (JPS) in 1924. According to Shiseido, the cosmetic company he founded with his family, Fukuhara's concepts on art formed the basis of "Shiseido Style", one of the companies’ most enduring legacy. The following images were taken by photographers who either worked in the Shiseido Photographic Department as a Fukuhara protégé from the 1920s to the 1940s, or were ranking members of the JPS and close Fukuhara associates. They are: Akira Ibuka, Yasuo Hirai and Kanichiro Shimada.

To see our other Fukuhara gallery, please click here.

Image: Shiseido model Yumiko Togawa shot for company advertisement.
Item #: SD-092
Artist: Akira Ibuka
Date: 1939
Price: inquire
Description: vintage glossy gelatin silver print.
Image: a maiko taken during a Kyoto photo excursion with Shinzo and Roso Fukuhara.
Item #: SD-087
Artist: Yasuo Hirai
Date: 1936
Price: inquire
Description: vintage gelatin silver print.
Image: photograph of Shinzo and Roso Fukuhara at Yoshino River, Nara Prefecture.
Item #: SD-091
Artist: Akira Ibuka
Date: 1920s
Price: inquire
Description: vintage matte gelatin silver Opal Paper print.
Image: Ruth St. Denis of the Denishawn Dance Company performing in Tokyo.
Item #: SD-090
Artist: Akira Ibuka
Date: 1925-26
Price: inquire
Description: vintage matte gelatin silver print.
Image: Denishawn Dance Company performing in Tokyo.
Item #: SD-088
Artist: Akira Ibuka
Date: 1925-26
Price: inquire
Description: vintage matte gelatin silver print.
Image: Denishawn Dance Company performing in Tokyo.
Item #: SD-089
Artist: Akira Ibuka
Date: 1925-26
Price: inquire
Description: vintage matte gelatin silver print.
Image: Asa no Kiyomizu (Morning at Kiyomizu Temple, Kyoto).
Item #: SD-093
Artist: Kanichiro Shimada
Date: late 1920s
Price: inquire
Description: vintage gelatin silver print by a ranking member of the Nihon Shashin Kai (Japan Photographic Society).
Image: Musashino Fubutsu Shashinshu (Views of Musashino), First Edition.
Item #: SD-096
Artist: Shinzo Fukuhara editor
Date: 1943
Price: 75,000 JY
Description: published by Seibunsha, includes photos by Fukuhara and members of the Nihon Shashin Kai.
Image: grand opening of Shiseido chain store, Tokyo; exterior view.
Item #: SD-094
Artist: Shiseido Photo Dept.
Date: 1953
Price: 45,000 JY
Description: vintage gelatin silver print.
Image: grand opening of Shiseido chain store, Tokyo; interior view.
Item #: SD-095
Artist: Shiseido Photo Dept.
Date: 1953
Price: 45,000 JY
Description: vintage gelatin silver print.