Tampei Photography Club
Encyclopedia
The was a group based in Osaka
from 1930 until 1941 that promoted avant-garde
and, toward the end, socially concerned photography.
The group was founded around the photographer Bizan Ueda, among photographers who bought their supplies from the Tampei Pharmacy in Shinsaibashi
, Osaka. The founding members included Terushichi Hirai
, Kōrō Honjō
and Tōru Kōno
; these were soon augmented by Kaneyoshi Tabuchi
, Nakaji Yasui
, and others.
The group's first exhibition was held in 1931 but it was the second exhibition, in 1932, that caused a stir, with avant-garde works. The club exhibited frequently; its first exhibition in Tokyo
held in 1935.
The club's 23rd exhibition, in March 1941, featured a series titled Refugee Jews of 22 photographs depicted exiles from eastern Europe who were living in Kobe
. Six of these were by Yasui, who had instigated two photography sessions for it earlier that month. The club was forced to close later that year.
The club reemerged after the war, but did not regain its prominence.
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...
from 1930 until 1941 that promoted avant-garde
Avant-garde
Avant-garde means "advance guard" or "vanguard". The adjective form is used in English to refer to people or works that are experimental or innovative, particularly with respect to art, culture, and politics....
and, toward the end, socially concerned photography.
The group was founded around the photographer Bizan Ueda, among photographers who bought their supplies from the Tampei Pharmacy in Shinsaibashi
Shinsaibashi
Shinsaibashi is a district in the Chūō-ku ward of Osaka, Japan and the city's main shopping area. It centers around Shinsaibashi-suji, a covered shopping street, that is north of Dōtonbori and parallel and east of Mido-suji street. Associated with Shinsaibashi, and west of Mido-suji street, is...
, Osaka. The founding members included Terushichi Hirai
Terushichi Hirai
was one of the most prominent Japanese photographers in the first half of the 20th century in Japan.As an amateur photographer, he was very energetic in photography groups, such as Naniwa Photography Club and Tampei Photography Club....
, Kōrō Honjō
Koro Honjo
was a renowned Japanese photographer.-References:...
and Tōru Kōno
Toru Kono
was a renowned Japanese photographer.-References:...
; these were soon augmented by Kaneyoshi Tabuchi
Kaneyoshi Tabuchi
was a renowned Japanese photographer.-References:*Nihon shashinka jiten / 328 Outstanding Japanese Photographers. Kyoto: Tankōsha, 2000. ISBN 4-473-01750-8....
, Nakaji Yasui
Nakaji Yasui
-Life:Yasui was born in Osaka and became a member of the Naniwa Photography Club in 1920s and also became a member of the Tampei Photography Club in 1930.His photographs cover a wide range from pictorialism to straight photography, including photomontages...
, and others.
The group's first exhibition was held in 1931 but it was the second exhibition, in 1932, that caused a stir, with avant-garde works. The club exhibited frequently; its first exhibition in 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...
held in 1935.
The club's 23rd exhibition, in March 1941, featured a series titled Refugee Jews of 22 photographs depicted exiles from eastern Europe who were living in Kobe
Kobe
, pronounced , is the fifth-largest city in Japan and is the capital city of Hyōgo Prefecture on the southern side of the main island of Honshū, approximately west of Osaka...
. Six of these were by Yasui, who had instigated two photography sessions for it earlier that month. The club was forced to close later that year.
The club reemerged after the war, but did not regain its prominence.