Issei Suda’s vivid scenes capture the energy of Tokyo and its surroundings, where the protagonists are caught in their unique moments.

The story behind 78 tells of a promise kept after the passing of the Japanese master of photography Issei Suda, to publish a book with an original approach. Although the project originated in January 2019, 78 presents a selection of unseen photographs selected from the Suda archive in November 2019. Shot between 1971 and 1983, these photographs have never been published until this day.

In this book, Suda’s unique and profoundly urban vision unfolds in a series of contrasts and allusions. The unexpected presence of animals and children’s mischievous looks fill up the streets, adding a sense of strangeness to these everyday scenes. From Tokyo to its surrounding prefectures, the photographer’s striking world is immersed in urban energy, bringing out – with a hint of humour – its spirit. The same energy can also be found in Suda’s trademark deep and contrasted blacks, a unique hallmark of his work.

“It was only upon our return to France that I realised Suda had passed away at 78, the exact number of prints we had intuitively selected on that autumn afternoon. This book is a tribute to the great photographer he was.”

Cécile Poimboeuf-Koizumi