Shashin Jidai: 1981–1988, Daido Moriyama, 2023

Shashin Jidai compiles all of the magazine spreads that photographer Daido Moriyama created for the Japanese porn magazine, from 1981–1988. All of his images are landscapes, portraits and still lives, shot in black and white, and provide a stark contrast to the other content of the magazine.

In reference to Moriyama’s iconic image from Shashin Jidai of a women’s legs in netted stockings, the coverless book block is wrapped in casebinding gauze that is cold glued on top of text and image. This unique binding was tested extensively over multiple rounds with the printer before arriving at a version that was robust enough for machine production.

Because the book has no cover, it lies flat when open. All magazine spreads are sequenced in chronological order, reproduced in three sizes, and placed in the middle of every book spread. As a result, the gutter of the book activates the gutters of the reproduced images. The chapter titles are printed large and also run through the gutter of the title pages.

In addition, a fold-out poster printed on a thin, one-side fluorescent pink sheet accompanies the publication. Text on the poster matches the typesetting of the cover and the book is composed entirely in two sizes of Folio Book and Hiragino Sans.