Mikiya Takimoto Works 1998–2023: Advertising Photography and Commercial Films

A book that lets you experience the world of Mikiya Takimoto,
who has had an overwhelming presence in the history of advertising since 2000
Mikiya Takimoto is a photographer who works across a wide range of fields — advertising photography, commercial films, his own artworks, films and more — and continues to deepen his distinctive expression while crossing over various genres of expression.
Focusing on client work among his wide-ranging activities, this book gathers into one volume 25 years of advertising work, from 1998, when he began his career as a photographer, to 2023; it is Takimoto's first collection of commissioned work.
The book is in two parts: advertising photography and commercial films.
The first part, advertising photography, includes some 120 varied works: the "Tokyo City Keiba Twinkle Lady Prize", which he worked on soon after going independent; his early signature work "Toshimaen Pool"; the main visuals for NHK taiga dramas such as Ryomaden, Sanadamaru and Seiten wo Tsuke; images for Mr.Children's CD albums, including HOME and SUPERMARKET FANTASY, which remain in the memory even of non-fans; poster visuals for films directed by Hirokazu Kore-eda such as Like Father, Like Son and Our Little Sister; "World Table Tennis", highly acclaimed at numerous international advertising awards; many advertising visuals for Laforet Harajuku that let you enjoy his collaborations with various art directors; the series of visuals for "TOYOTA Five Continents Drive", shot on a scale that went beyond the bounds of advertising; "Pocari Sweat 2023", shot in 2023; and more.
The following commercial film part includes some 70 commercial films, including the "Sapporo Draft Beer Black Label Otona Elevator" series, running since 2010; the "Daiwa House: Here, Together" series, loved beyond the bounds of commercials; "Sansan: Menshiki Ari", which lets you enjoy the gap between cool imagery and humour; the now legendary "Kirin Lager Beer: Time Slip" featuring the three members of YMO; the McDonald's series, each finished like a short film; and "Suntory Tennensui", which left a vivid impression during the COVID-19 pandemic. His recent works in particular, whose expression has deepened after being entrusted by director Kore-eda with cinematography for his films, are a must-see.
As special content, it also includes a dialogue, "The Ideal Relationship between Photography and Design", with art director Kenjiro Sano, a sworn ally with whom he has worked repeatedly since both went independent.
Takimoto himself selected the works featured; although he narrowed them down to only about 10 percent of the vast body of work he has done, the result is still a volume of some 600 pages in total.
The times change dizzyingly, and today "advertising" floods every device.
Precisely now, when "advertising" is treated as noise and skipping it is becoming the norm, Takimoto's expression — believing in the power of a single photograph or a 15-second film and continuing to pursue the possibilities of advertising — can be said to be growing in value.
A book in which to savour the world of Mikiya Takimoto, which could be called a one-of-a-kind "advertising art", always seeking change while continuing to deepen.

Publisher: Seigensha
Publication year: 2024
Pages: 596
Dimensions: 246 × 185 mm

Mikiya Takimoto / Photography Monograph / Japanese Photography