The 11th issue of the photo magazine 'Bifuu' by Okinawan photographers published from the mid 1980s to 1990s. The core member of the group was Kenshichi Heshiki, whose work has grown prominence in recent years, largely through his posthumous work 'Goat's Lung'.
This issue also contains work by Mao Ishikawa, a pioneering Okinawan photographer who continues to hold exhibitions and publish photo books to this day.
The works included in this issue are:
- "About June 23rd Memorial Day" by Kenshichi Heshiki
- "Wheel Wind" by Mitsuo Miyagi
- "Ufuji Tune Churn / Chinen Village Azama” by Tatsuhiko Kano
- " Lawyer Diary 4” by Makoto Majikina
- “Philippines” by Mao Ishikawa
- “Kin Shinkaichi” by Toshio Shiroma
The Bifuu magazine (1985-1990), founded by photographers Kenshichi Heshiki and Tatsuhiko Kano, emerged from independent photographic movements born in the mid 1970’s. A first movement called 'Aman', composed of nine photographers split after one year to form a new one, 'Nujun'.
The Nujun artists used a photographic process, the diazotype, close to the cyanotype process with blue prints and started printing handmade photobooks. Inspired by this movement, Kenshichi Heshiki and Tastuhiko Kano create Bifuu, a magazine designed by photographers from Okinawa only, to promote their work. Each photographer was free to choose themes of their own, which explains their diversity in the magazines different issues. Views from Taipei, performances, cock fights or Mao Ishikawa’s photographs of her trip to Philadelphia.
Bifuu was originally hand-printed and bound up to until its 7th issue, with the covers also handmade using woodblock prints. However from issue 8 onwards, the design was changed to a black and white A4 size cover, just like the monochromatic work found within.
Softcover
Published 1989
