M/E – Rinko Kawauchi Photo Book

Intro

This is an authentic Japanese publication, carefully selected and shipped directly from Japan.
We specialize in Japanese books and magazines focusing on architecture, art, and contemporary culture.

Feature

• Latest photography book by Rinko Kawauchi

• Part of the ongoing M/E photographic series

• Includes essay by writer and photographer Teju Cole

• Printed on delicate translucent paper with cloth binding and foil stamping

• Combines large-scale natural landscapes and everyday scenes

Description

M/E is the latest major photo book by internationally acclaimed photographer Rinko Kawauchi, expanding upon her ongoing series exploring the relationship between humanity and the natural world.

The project began when Kawauchi visited Iceland in 2019, encountering geysers, glaciers formed over immense spans of time, and the interior of dormant volcanoes—experiences that deepened her sense of connection with the Earth. Following this journey, the work continued through the pandemic, incorporating scenes from the natural environments surrounding her home and winter landscapes in Hokkaido.

Parts of the series were presented in the large-scale exhibition M/E Sphere: Infinite Connections held in 2022–2023, and the project continues to be exhibited internationally.

The title M/E carries multiple meanings: the initials of Mother and Earth, which together evoke “Mother Earth,” while also suggesting Me, implying that vast natural forces and intimate personal experiences are inseparably linked. Kawauchi revisits themes she explored in earlier works such as Ametsuchi and Halo, reflecting on humanity’s place within nature during times of global upheaval.

Designed by Hans Gremmen, the book itself is crafted as an art object. Photographs are printed on delicate, translucent paper that gives the images a floating presence, while the cloth binding and bold foil stamping lend the volume a tactile, sculptural quality.

The book concludes with a lyrical essay written by artist, photographer, and art historian Teju Cole, presented in the form of a letter that deepens the emotional and philosophical resonance of the work.

Details

• Title: M/E

• Artist: Rinko Kawauchi

• Essay: Teju Cole

• Publisher: torch press

• Release Date: January 17, 2025

• Language: Japanese

• Format: Large-format hardcover

• Pages: 216

• Dimensions: 22 × 1.5 × 28 cm

• ISBN-13: 9784907562533

Please note:

Import duties, VAT, and customs fees are not included in the item price or shipping cost.
These charges are the buyer’s responsibility.