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Haikyo: The Modern Ruins of Japan Hardcover – 20 July 2017

4.9 4.9 out of 5 stars 30 ratings

Dotted over Japan from north to south, hundreds of abandoned abodes lay forgotten and left to decay. These shadowy realms provide a paused, silent and darkly enchanting contrast to a country known for the brightness, sound and movement that swells in it many thriving metropolises. Stepping away from the lights and into the shadows, one adventurous photographer embarks on an underground voyeuristic journey, documenting a curious collection of images that provide a rare and intimate glimpse into a secret, mysterious and sometimes bizarre world.

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From the Back Cover

Stepping away from the lights and into the shadows, one adventurous photographer embarks on an underground voyeuristic journey, documenting a curious collection of images that provide a rare and intimate glimpse into a secret, mysterious and sometimes bizarre world. Miniature jungles sprout and thrive in the rooms of a discarded beachside resort. Filled with curiosities and eccentric furniture, a long forgotten love hotel crumbles away on the outskirts of a small country town. Inside a large snow covered building, a giant taxidermy walrus sits wedged in the corner of a darkened, dust filled room. After years of abandonment, vines and foliage take over from past crowds to engulf roller coasters, carousels and water slides in a swampy amusement park. Rows of stools await more customers as the years pass by in a dilapidated strip club filled with retro treasures. Each with its own unique story to tell, the end result is the presentation of a fascinating realm where one can contemplate Japan's hidden journey from permanence to disposability, composition to decomposition and construction to deconstruction.

About the Author

Believing there is a strong cultural value in the documentation of the past, Shane Thoms focus's solely on the abandoned space, visually capturing the remaining traces of human emotion that linger before the process of urban evolution erases them completely. Shooting within a carefully considered landscape format, Shane Thoms's photographic style presents a fictionalized, cinematic stage-like realm by which the observer can contemplate ideas on the constructed human world. More than just visuals of decayed environments, these images become thought provoking mediums that raise questions not only regarding our past, but also our present and future states. Through these photographs, ideas on population, space, economy, infrastructure and environment are pushed forward via a narrative that speaks volumes regarding the human condition. Along with this, the observer also has the opportunity to embark on a voyeuristic journey into the shadows of the forgotten urban environment, gaining an intimate glimpse into a secret, mysterious and sometimes bizarre world. As featured on CNN, The Business Insider, Huffington Post, Daily Mail, Messy Nessy Chic, So Bad So Good, Aplus, la repubblica, Viral Nova, Daily Best, The Weather Channel etc, this work is a visual documentation of the inevitable human destiny. *Exhibits: 'Prypiat', January to February 2013, 'Cesium 137', August 2013 *Awards: 2014 Best Architectural Image, Centre for Contemporary Photography Salon for White Found in Haikyo **Bachelor of Design, Vis Comm, (photography major), Monash University, Melbourne, Australia

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Carpet Bombing Culture; 1st edition (20 July 2017)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Hardcover ‏ : ‎ 216 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1908211466
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1908211460
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 24.9 x 2 x 24.6 cm
  • Customer reviews:
    4.9 4.9 out of 5 stars 30 ratings

About the author

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Shane Thoms
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Shane Thoms is an architectural photographer, photojournalist and author from Melbourne, Australia.

With a focus on urban spaces, his cross-cultural photographic work has been featured on the BBC, CNN, ABC Australia, Atlas Obscura and The Architectural Digest. He is known for visually documenting a number of exclusion zones including Fukushima, Chernobyl and Montserrat. Additionally, he has extensively explored and constructed essays on abandoned civic spaces across Australia, China, North America and Europe.

His first photographic book, 'Haikyo: The Modern Ruins of Japan' was released in 2017. Exploring a number of abandoned spaces (including Hashima Island, theme parks, hospitals, mines and residential dwellings), these ruins provide a striking contrast to a country known for the illumination and activity that weaves through its pumping metropolises.

Shane Thoms's second book, 'Abandoned Australia' uncovers the post-colonial modern ruins dotted over this vast continent.

Focusing solely on a more isolated region, his third book 'Abandoned South Australia' reveals a diverse, unique and often unexplored area of The Great Southern Land.

His fourth book 'Abandoned New South Wales' focuses again on another region of Australia. Visually documenting the factories, convents, churches, civic spaces and rural dwellings dotted over its broad landscape, this work raises discussions on the suburban evolution of Australia's most populous state.

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  • Amyly
    5.0 out of 5 stars Livre magnifique, qui nous transporte dans un monde post apocalyptique où l'homme à disparu !
    Reviewed in France on 24 August 2020
    Le livre est juste sublime ! Je collectionne les livres sur l'Urbex, et celui-ci est un de mes préférés ! Ne vous attendez pas à du texte, mais à des photos magnifiques et franchement la sensation de traverser un autre monde, où les humains auraient disparus de la surface de la terre. C'est un très beau cadeau à tous ceux qui adorent les lieux insolites ou abandonnés.
  • Amazon Customer
    5.0 out of 5 stars The photos in this book feel like the photographer has a real sensitivity and understanding of ...
    Reviewed in the United States on 2 August 2017
    The photos in this book feel like the photographer has a real sensitivity and understanding of the places he documents. It lends a real magical feel to the book. The text gives the reader brief histories of the locations and stories surrounding both the places themselves and the photographer's experience in them. It's easy to imagine being there with him. The book is divided into themes based on functions of the locations such as hospitals, schools and mines and various locations shot within these themes give a real insight into Japanese life of times past. I found it intriguing that many everyday items as well as bizarre ones were left within the spaces when they were abandoned (and have not been pillaged since) and there is endless detail in the images to explore.The book itself is a square format with a heavy weight and solid feel. It has a luxurious cover with heavy paper stock - it feel likes a substantial book!
  • Joshua
    5.0 out of 5 stars What a stunning collection, beautifully presented.
    Reviewed in the United States on 11 August 2017
    I am thrilled with the purchase of this book. Shane Thoms' work is exceptional. He certainly has an incredible eye for photography. Absolutely stunning, haunting and beautiful images that keep you staring at every page at length absorbing more and more each time. Each picture transports you to the incredible places presented. The quality of the book is amazing. From the hardcover to the quality feel of the pages. Very proud to have this in my house and it has already been highly commented on by visitors. I highly recommend this to any one with an interest in photography and art. Would make a lovely gift or present.
  • R.L.
    5.0 out of 5 stars Haikyo is a collection of haunting pictures beautifully and thoughtfully put together
    Reviewed in the United States on 21 July 2017
    Haikyo is a collection of haunting pictures beautifully and thoughtfully put together. Shane Thoms does a great job of capturing these derelict places and forgotten worlds. The focus on Japan makes this book even more interesting (as an American who has only visited the very populated areas of the country). Its a wonderful glimpse into another side of modern excess and "progress" left behind. I have been a fan of abandon space photography for a while and had even seen some of Shane's work on blogs and websites, it was nice to get a complete collection of very high quality prints in an overall great book.
  • Amazon Customer
    5.0 out of 5 stars Great book.
    Reviewed in the United States on 1 August 2017
    I bought this book because of my love for photography and abandoned buildings. Shane Thoms has captured the haunting abandoned buildings beautifully and with lots of talent. You get transported to the locations with his photos and descriptions. It is refreshing to see an abandoned building book that doesn’t rely on over processed HDR photos to convey their story like other books in this genre. I highly recommend this book.