Masahisa Fukase was worn on February 25, 1934 into a family of photographers who had run a studio on Hokkaido – Japan's second largest island – for three generations. Even after finishing his training and moving to Tokyo, frequent visits kept the photographer in close touch with his family, and gave him the opportunity to take unusual family portraits. An interaction with himself and his immediate surroundings is at the centre of Fukase's work. To this day, his experimental photography essays are considered among the most significant artistic works coming out of Japan.
Fukase died on June 9, 2012, though his work already came to an end in 1992 after a bad fall that led to severe brain trauma. Exhibitions and new editions of his books have been responsible for the rediscovery of the photographer and his work in recent years.
