Barakei Shishuban [Ordeal by Roses Reedited].

HOSOE, Eikoh.

Published by Tokyo Shueisha, 1971

About this Item

First edition, oblong folio (378 x 529 mm, 15 x 20¾); black-and-white photographs by Hosoe and colour illustrations by Tadanori Yokoo printed in offset, the original and a new preface for this edition by Yukio Mishima in Japanese and English, design by Yokoo, printed metal plate mounted on the first page, tissue guard; black velvet-covered boards, colour illustrated plate mounted on front, original white cloth-covered board chemise, lettered in red on upper side, lined with an illustration on paper, toned, publisher's shipping carton with a printed label on front, light wear to extremities, label lightly toned, a fine copy in a very good chemise and shipping carton; [102]pp. Tadanori Yokoo designed this revised and reimagined version of Barakei. Unhappy with the original translation, 'Killed by Roses,' Mishima Yukio changed the title to reflect the original Japanese more accurately. The design varies significantly from that of the first book. Working closely with Hosoe and Mishima, Yokoo completely restructured the sequence into five chapters: I. Sea & Eyes, 2. Eyes & Sins, III. Sins & Dreams, iv. Dreams & Death, and ending with V. Death. In November 1970, Mishima committed seppuku, a ritual form of suicide, as a protest against the signing of an extension to the US-Japan security treaty and the loss of traditional Japanese values. Speculation leads to other assumptions about his motives, having initially planned for Ordeal by Roses to be published in the month he died. At first, Hosoe delayed the book's publication and considered shelving the project, but Mishima's widow persuaded him to go ahead a few months later. The Open Book pp276-7; The Photobook A History, I pp282-3; The Japanese Photobook 1912-1990 pp408-9.

Seller Inventory # 110931

Bibliographic Details

• Title: Barakei Shishuban [Ordeal by Roses Reedited].
• Publisher: Tokyo Shueisha
• Publication Date: 1971
• Binding: Hardcover
• Edition: 1st Edition