Santa Fe Rie Miyazawa Photo By Kishin Shinoyama 1991 72
Stephanie Dejoode
Santa Fe Rie Miyazawa Photo By Kishin Shinoyama 1991 72
Santa Fe is a Japanese nude photo book published in 1991. It was modelled by Rie Miyazawa, a popular actress in Japan, and photographed by Kishin Shinoyama, a renowned photographer who has worked with celebrities such as John Lennon and Yoko Ono. The book contains 72 photos of Miyazawa taken in Santa Fe, New Mexico, USA, where she posed nude in various locations and situations. The book was a huge success, selling over 1.5 million copies and becoming a cultural phenomenon in Japan. It also sparked controversy and debate over the issues of censorship, sexuality, and artistic expression.
The Model: Rie Miyazawa
Rie Miyazawa was born in Tokyo, Japan, on April 6, 1973. She is of Japanese and Dutch descent, and has dual citizenship of Japan and the Netherlands. She started her career as a child model at the age of 11, and made her acting debut in 1988. She rose to fame as a teen idol, appearing in numerous films, TV shows, commercials, and magazines. She won several awards for her acting performances, such as the Japan Academy Prize for Best Actress for her role in The Twilight Samurai (2002). She also pursued a singing career, releasing several albums and singles. She is regarded as one of the most versatile and talented actresses in Japan.
The Photographer: Kishin Shinoyama
Kishin Shinoyama was born in Tokyo, Japan, on December 3, 1940. He graduated from Nihon University College of Art with a degree in photography. He started his career as an advertising photographer, and later became famous for his portraits of celebrities, politicians, athletes, and artists. He is known for his innovative and provocative style, often incorporating nudity, eroticism, and humor into his works. He has published over 200 photo books, and held numerous exhibitions around the world. He has also received many awards and honors for his contributions to photography, such as the Medal with Purple Ribbon from the Japanese government in 2008.
The Book: Santa Fe
Santa Fe was published by Asahi Shimbun Publications in November 1991. It was the result of a collaboration between Miyazawa and Shinoyama, who had met through a mutual friend. They decided to create a photo book that would showcase Miyazawa's natural beauty and personality, without any makeup or artificial lighting. They chose Santa Fe as the location for the shoot, because they wanted to capture the contrast between Miyazawa's Asian features and the American landscape. They spent two weeks in Santa Fe, taking photos in various places such as hotels, deserts, mountains, churches, and cemeteries. The book contains 72 photos of Miyazawa posing nude or semi-nude in different outfits and moods.
The Impact: Success and Controversy
Santa Fe was an instant hit when it was released in Japan. It sold over 1.5 million copies within three months, breaking the record for the best-selling photo book in Japan. It also received critical acclaim from both the public and the media, who praised Miyazawa's courage and beauty, and Shinoyama's artistic vision. The book elevated Miyazawa's status as a star, and boosted Shinoyama's reputation as a photographer.
However, Santa Fe also caused controversy and criticism from some sectors of society. Some people considered the book to be obscene and immoral, and demanded that it be banned or censored. Some bookstores refused to sell or display the book, while some schools confiscated it from students. Some conservative groups protested against the book, claiming that it violated the public morals and harmed the image of Japan. Some feminists also criticized the book, arguing that it exploited Miyazawa's body and reinforced the patriarchal stereotypes of women.
The Legacy: Influence and Inspiration
Santa Fe is widely regarded as a landmark work in Japanese photography and pop culture. It influenced many other photographers and models to create similar nude photo books, such as Naomi Campbell by Seiji Kurata (1992), and Madonna by Nobuyoshi Araki (1993). It also inspired many artists and writers to create works based on or related to the book, such as the manga Santa Fe by Ryoichi Ikegami (1993), and the novel Santa Fe by Banana Yoshimoto (1994). It also generated academic and social discussions on the topics of censorship, sexuality, and artistic expression in Japan and beyond.
Santa Fe is still considered as one of the most iconic and influential photo books in Japan. It is a testament to the collaboration and creativity of Miyazawa and Shinoyama, who challenged the norms and expectations of society with their bold and beautiful work.