Camera Mainichi
Encyclopedia
is a Japanese monthly magazine of photography that started in June 1954 and ceased publication in April 1985.
As in most mass-market photography magazines, much of the editorial content of Camera Mainichi was devoted to news and reviews of cameras, lenses, and other equipment. But from the start it found space for first-rate and unconventional photography, and especially during the period 1963–78 when it was edited by Shōji Yamagishi
it seemed more adventurous than its major rivals Asahi Camera
and Nippon Camera
(which both survived it). After Yamagishi left, it devoted more space to fashion and mildly erotic photography.
The magazine also published the results of two photo contests sponsored by Mainichi Shinbun-sha: the Mainichi photography award (1955–8) and the Domon Ken Award
(from 1982).
Although mainichi literally means "daily", the magazine was instead named after its publisher, Mainichi Shinbun-sha (best known for its daily newspaper Mainichi Shinbun
).
As in most mass-market photography magazines, much of the editorial content of Camera Mainichi was devoted to news and reviews of cameras, lenses, and other equipment. But from the start it found space for first-rate and unconventional photography, and especially during the period 1963–78 when it was edited by Shōji Yamagishi
Shoji Yamagishi
was a photography critic, curator, and magazine editor.Yamagishi entered Mainichi Shinbunsha in 1950. He started as a photographer, but was less successful at taking than at selecting photographs....
it seemed more adventurous than its major rivals Asahi Camera
Asahi Camera
is a Japanese monthly photographic magazine.The first issue was that for April 1926. It has from the outset been published by Asahi Shinbun-sha, publisher of the newspaper Asahi Shinbun....
and Nippon Camera
Nippon Camera
is a Japanese photography magazine, published since 1950.It started in March 1950 as a bimonthly magazine, published by Kōgeisha as the successor to the book series Amachua Shashin Sōsho . It became a monthly magazine from July 1951...
(which both survived it). After Yamagishi left, it devoted more space to fashion and mildly erotic photography.
The magazine also published the results of two photo contests sponsored by Mainichi Shinbun-sha: the Mainichi photography award (1955–8) and the Domon Ken Award
Domon Ken Award
The Domon Ken Award is one of Japan's most celebrated photographic awards.The award was started in 1981 by the Mainichi Newspapers to mark the 110th birthday of the Mainichi Shimbun, its daily newspaper and main publication, in honor of the photographer Ken Domon...
(from 1982).
Although mainichi literally means "daily", the magazine was instead named after its publisher, Mainichi Shinbun-sha (best known for its daily newspaper Mainichi Shinbun
Mainichi Shimbun
The is one of the major newspapers in Japan, published by .-History:The history of the Mainichi Shimbun begins with founding of two papers during the Meiji period. The Tokyo Nichi Nichi Shimbun was founded first, in 1872. The Mainichi claims that it is the oldest existing Japanese daily newspaper...
).
Links and sources
- GJ Photobooks. Notes, on Camera Mainichi and Shōji Yamagishi among others.
- Tucker, Anne Wilkes, et al. The History of Japanese Photography. New Haven: Yale University Press, 2003. ISBN 0-300-09925-8