Eikoh Hosoe: SENSEI, a Retrospective of Photographic Mastery
izabella Rajh
IBASHO Gallery in Antwerp presents “Eikoh Hosoe – SENSEI“, a retrospective celebrating one of Japan’s most influential photographers. Running from 31 October to 20 December 2026, the exhibition explores Hosoe’s experimental approach to photography through four landmark series. It therefore highlights his collaborations with artists, dancers and writers who shaped Japan’s post-war avant-garde.
PHOTO: courtesy of IBASHO
PHOTO: courtesy of IBASHO
Born in 1933, the artist Eikoh Hosoe emerged as a pioneering figure in modern Japanese photography. In 1959, he co-founded VIVO, which was an independent photographic agency that encouraged a more subjective and experimental visual language. Furthermore, throughout his career, Hosoe crossed artistic boundaries. He worked with prominent figures including writer Yukio Mishima, butoh dancer Tatsumi Hijikata and artist Yayoi Kusama.
Overall, the exhibition centres on four significant bodies of work. “Ordeal by Roses” (1961–62), created with Yukio Mishima, transforms the writer’s image into a theatrical exploration of eroticism, ritual and mortality. Meanwhile, “Kamaitachi” (1965–68) was developed with Tatsumi Hijikata. It therefore blends rural Japanese landscapes, folklore and avant-garde performance into a haunting visual narrative. This evocative narrative reflects artist’s aesthetic vision throughout his oeuvre.
PHOTO: courtesy of IBASHO
PHOTO: courtesy of IBASHO
In contrast, “Embrace” (1969–70) examines the human body through intimate, fragmented compositions that challenge conventional representations of identity. Furthermore, “Simmon: A Private Landscape” was photographed in the 1970s and published as a book in 2012. However, this series offers a more personal perspective. Overall, it follows actor Simmon Yotsuya through the urban environments that become an extension of his identity and connects back to artist’s interest in individual expression.
Eikoh Hosoe and the mergence of medias
Together, these series reveal Hosoe’s distinctive ability to merge photography, performance, theatre and literature. His work continues to influence generations of photographers through its psychological intensity and visual experimentation. Additionally, the exhibition coincides with a presentation of photographs by Hitoshi Fugo, a disciple of Hosoe. This further explores his artistic legacy and demonstrates the ongoing impact of Hosoe across contemporary media.
PHOTO: courtesy of IBASHO
PHOTO: courtesy of IBASHO
PHOTO: courtesy of IBASHO
The exhibition opens with a vernissage on Saturday, 31 October, from 14:00 to 18:00, at IBASHO, Tolstraat 67, Antwerp. Regular opening hours are Thursday to Sunday, 14:00–18:00, or by appointment. Visitors will have the chance to discover the influence of Hosoe on both Japanese and international visual culture through this retrospective.
Featured image: Eikoh Hosoe, Yayoi Kusama (1964). PHOTO: courtesy of IBASHO.
Share this post
Izabella Rajh is a Slovenian journalist with a bachelor’s degree in Comparative Literature and Philosophy. She has previously worked for literary publications, independent cultural platforms, and journalistic outlets, including N1 Slovenia. She currently works for Delo, one of Slovenia’s leading national newspapers, where she covers a wide range of topics, from international politics to culture. In her work, she seeks to connect diverse fields and explore complex issues from a holistic perspective, with a particular emphasis on their cultural dimensions.
Read Next
