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Mitsuhiko Imamori

いまもり みつひこ

Imamori Mitsuhiko

Profile

Gender
Male
Born
1954-08-06 （Otsu, Shiga, Japan）
Nationality
Japan
Languages
Japanese
Residence History
Otsu, Shiga → Ogi district (northern Otsu, Shiga)

Career

Occupations
Photographer, Kirie (paper-cut) artist
Active Years
1980-
Affiliations
Member of the Japan Professional Photographers Society
Memberships
Japan Professional Photographers Society
Influenced By
Michio Hoshino

Education

Kinki University
Faculty of Science and Engineering / Department of Civil Engineering
Degree: 学士
Country: Japan
Studied natural observation and photography while at university. After graduation worked at a commercial photo studio and became a professional photographer in 1980.

Awards

6th Anima Prize
1989
Work: Ant-plants of South America (photo series)
Organization: Heibonsha (Anima Prize)
Result: 受賞
10th Higashikawa Prize (New Artist Award)
1991
Category: 新人作家賞
Organization: Higashikawa Prize Committee
Result: 受賞
Shiga Prefecture Cultural Encouragement Award (17th)
1991
Organization: Shiga Prefecture
Result: 受賞
48th Mainichi Publishing Culture Award
1994
Organization: Mainichi Newspapers
Result: 受賞
20th Kimura Ihei Photography Award
1995
Organization: Kimura Ihei Award Committee
Result: 受賞
Sankei Children's Publishing Culture Award (Grand Prize; multiple years)
1995
Category: 大賞
Organization: Sankei Shimbun
Result: 受賞
50th Sankei Children's Publishing Culture Award
2003
Organization: Sankei Shimbun
Result: 受賞
51st Sankei Children's Publishing Culture Award
2004
Organization: Sankei Shimbun
Result: 受賞
53rd Sankei Children's Publishing Culture Award
2006
Organization: Sankei Shimbun
Result: 受賞
56th Shogakukan Children’s Publishing Culture Award
2007
Organization: Shogakukan
Result: 受賞
28th Domon Ken Award
2009
Organization: Domon Ken Award Committee
Result: 受賞
Otsu City Special Cultural Award
1995
Category: 文化特別賞
Organization: Otsu City
Result: 受賞
Shumei Culture Prize (9th)
1995
Organization: Shumei Culture Prize Committee
Result: 受賞

Awards & Nominations

Works

Major Works

Insect Chronicle

1988 Photobook

A photobook collecting insect photographs taken around Lake Biwa and local satoyama, portraying the detailed life of familiar nature.

InsectsSatoyama (village woodlands)Seasons
Translations
  • French edition
  • German edition

Scarab

1991 Photobook

A collection of insect-themed photographs noted for its bookmaking and photographic composition.

InsectsNature observation

World Insect Chronicle

1994 Photobook

A photobook including insect photographs from overseas fieldwork, offering an international perspective.

InsectsOverseas fieldwork
Translations
  • French edition available
  • German edition available

Stories of Satoyama

1995 Photography / Essays

Photographs and essays depicting satoyama landscapes and local life, narrating seasonal changes and human–nature relations.

SatoyamaCoexistence with natureSeasons

Grandfather Smelled of Water

2006 Children's picture book (photobook)

A photobook picture book themed on memories of watersides and nature, conveying nature from a child's viewpoint.

WatersideMemoryFamily

Bibliography

  • Insect Chronicle
  • Scarab
  • World Insect Chronicle
  • Stories of Satoyama
  • Land of Sprouting Trees
  • Paths of Satoyama
  • Lakeside
  • Blue Planet
  • My Garden
  • Grandfather Smelled of Water

Adaptations

  • Participation and appearances in NHK specials and nature programs

Translations of Works

  • World Insect Chronicle (French edition)
  • World Insect Chronicle (German edition)

Style & Themes

Literary Style
Detailed macro photographyA viewpoint that accurately captures seasonal aspects of natureLyric compositions combining photographs and short texts
Recurring Motifs
InsectsSatoyama (village woodlands)Lake Biwa and watersidesSeasonal change

Legacy

Known for meticulous photographic depictions of familiar nature, he has contributed to Nature conservation awareness and understanding of regional culture by communicating satoyama and waterside ecosystems.

Academic Societies

  • Japan Professional Photographers Society

Archives

  • National Diet Library (catalog holdings)
  • Bibliothèque nationale de France (BnF) data

In Popular Culture

  • Appearances and cooperation on NHK nature programs (e.g., NHK Specials)
  • Radio series such as 'Seasonal Letters from Aurelian Hill'

Trivia

  • His younger brother Yosuke Imamori is a detailed painter.
  • After university he trained at a commercial photo studio and became a professional photographer in 1980.
  • Has photographed satoyama and Lake Biwa extensively over many years.