Exploring Daido Moriyama's 'Quartet': The four groundbreaking photobooks that shaped the iconic street photographer's career

In a new release from Thames & Hudson, "Moriyama: Quartet," curator Mark Holborn has brought together four formative works of renowned Japanese photographer Daido Moriyama. The books, which include "Japan: A Photo Theater," "A Hunter," "Farewell Photography," and "Light and Shadow," offer a unique glimpse into the foundations of Moriyama's practice, now widely revered.

The idea for "Quartet" came from recognising the centrality of these four books to understanding Moriyama's practice moving forward. His earlier work, radical for its time, may not have been fully embraced by the world, but it has undoubtedly left a lasting impact on the visual landscape, placing him alongside the likes of William Eggleston and Lucian Freud.

The selection criteria for the four books could include their artistic and thematic influence, as well as their significance within Moriyama's career. However, without specific information on the motivations behind the selection, this can only be speculated. What is clear is that the compilation aims to provide a comprehensive overview of Moriyama's work.

Holborn shares reflections on the medium of the photo book, the challenges of capturing a narrative across multiple works, and the instincts that guide a lifetime of editing. One of the challenges in bringing the four books together into one volume was maintaining the integrity of each work while creating a cohesive whole. These books have shaped Moriyama's restless, boundary-pushing vision, and their inclusion in "Quartet" provides a valuable opportunity for readers to explore the roots of this vision.

While the books in "Quartet" may not cover the entirety of Moriyama's career, they offer a unique insight into the photographer's early works and the themes that have continued to shape his practice. From the urban landscapes of Japan to the exploration of identity and time, Moriyama's work remains as relevant today as it was when he first began pushing the boundaries of photography.

Exploring Daido Moriyama's 'Quartet': The four groundbreaking photobooks that shaped the iconic street photographer's career