Asahi Graph アサヒグラフ ( aka Asahi Picture News)
January 25, 1923 - October 13, 2000
Weekly
Founding Publisher: Asahi Shimbunsha ( Tokyo)
Founding editor: Narusawa Reisen
B4 size, 26 x 33,5 cm
approx. 80 pages. Gravure printing.
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The Asahi Graph was one of Japan’s best selling pictorial magazines. A general interest magazine with photos of celebrities, royalty, movie stars, current events and social trends.
A magazine for a broad audience. It was more or less the Japanese equivalent of the American Life magazine.
Not specific a photo magazine for photographers. No contests, no photographic news or instructual articles.
From May till October 1974 Shinoyama had a weekly serial, including the cover, about what was in the news in a wide variety of subjects, chosen by Shinoyama.
Shinoyama: ‘A Fine Day was serialized in 1974 in the weekly magazine Asahi Graph. Each week, I took pictures of the most popular people and places and events and they’d be published right away. That went on for about six months. I just took pictures of the trendiest stuff I could find and put them out there.’
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Asahi Graph July 19, 1974 Cover Shinoyama Kishin.
Editor: Itō Michito. Layout: Kamegai Shōji
Serialized by Shinoyama Kishin as special correspondent for this magazine; Abandoned Houses in Tomakomai,
12 pages.
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Asahi Graph August 16, 1974 Cover Shinoyama Kishin.
Editor: Itō Michito. Layout: Kamegai Shōji
Serialized by Shinoyama Kishin as special correspondent for this magazine; A message from Yoko, 8 pages.
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Asahi Graph September 20. 1974
Cover Shinoyama Kishin.
Editor: Itō Michito. Layout: Kamegai Shōji
Serialized Shinoyama Kishin as special correspondent for this magazine: TYPHOON
8 pages
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Asahi Graph October 18, 1974 Cover Shinoyama Kishin.
Editor: Itō Michito. Layout: Kamegai Shōji
Serialized by Shinoyama Kishin as special correspondent for this magazine; Phantom attacks.
4 pages
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Asahi Graph June 28, 1974
Shinoyama Kishin: Rainy Season, 4 pages
Asahi Graph August 23, 1974
Shinoyama Kishin: White House, 4 pages.
Asahi Graph September 27, 1974
Shinoyama Kishin: Fourth, Third, Nagashima. 8 pages.
"All the subjects of the photography, from object to person, were shot in the light of midday that allowed for fine details to be captured. However, all the shots were underexposed to a level just shy of losing details. Using a pan focus that provided high-fidelety, the photographer's subjective viewpoint vanished, and through the use of underexposure, the resulting distinctive contours gave the subject what seems like its own luminance. Shinoyama shot of all his subjects head-on, in a confronting manner of expression, which, at the time, was starting to be labeled 'jibutsuron' ( 事物論photography that was a direct and dead pan approach) "
Toda Masako in ; Japanese Photography Magazines 1880s - 1980s' , Goliga Books 2022.
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Shinoyama Kishin: Harate Hi ( A Fine Day )
30 x 23 cm 348 pages in offset.
Design: Kamegai Shoji. Hardback with full black leatherette, clear acetate jacket.
Heibonsha, Tokyo 1975.
A photo book composed of a series serialized in “Asahi Graph” magazine for half a year from April 1974.
On the cover page, it says; “A groundbreaking photo book that opens up the horizon of a new documentary.”
Each event is pictured in about 6 pages, with a total of 23 different events.
In the preface of the book, these notes refer to the events.

U.S. Air Force units at Kadena Base in Okinawa are trained in dropping nuclear bombs, from F4 Phantom II fighters, using BDU8B dummies. At Iejima Island, Okinawa Prefecture;
September 24-26
U.S. Air Force units at Kadena Base in Okinawa are trained in dropping nuclear bombs, from F4 Phantom II fighters, using BDU8B dummies. At Iejima Island, Okinawa Prefecture;
September 24-26
The date of the 10th regular election of the House of Councillors was announced. Many “TV talents,” who had been expected to run for Upper House seats, formally made public their candidacy.
June 14
The Weather Forecast Department of the Meteorological Agency announced that the entire territory of Japan excepting Hokkaido had entered the rainy season. It also said that this year’s rainy season would be as usual in the Kanto and the Koshinetsu districts.
June 11

Mr Richard Nixon, involved in the Watergate scandal, resigned as 37th president of the United States. The White House enveloped in smoky drizzle just before the announcement of his resignation.
July 25
Mr Richard Nixon, involved in the Watergate scandal, resigned as 37th president of the United States. The White House enveloped in smoky drizzle just before the announcement of his resignation.
July 25
Mr. Horie Kenichi succeeded in making a west-bound, round-the-world trip in a small yacht “Mermaid III” alone and without calling at any port, establishing a world record in this respect. He returned to the port of Tadaoka on 275th day after his departure.
May 4
Miss Yamaguchi Momoe, a high school student, was the most popular singer and movie actress in 1974 and won the 12th special “Golden Arrow” prize. She is 16 years old.
All these events occured in 1974.