A couple of months ago, I got an email "flyer" from the gallery that represents Michael Kenna, advising that he had an upcoming exhibition somewhere in Europe. Unfortunately, it wasn't going to be possible to attend. As the email didn't have the "DoNotReply" bit, I responded and asked if he would be visiting Britain anytime soon. To my surprise, I got a reply back from Michael himself saying that he'd been told by his agent he was due to be doing a book signing at Beetles + Huxley in London on the evening of 15th October. No way was I going to miss that as it would be the launch of his new book "Forms of Japan".
I was really looking forward to attending the event and then a friend and work colleague decided he was leaving the company we work for. While I was on holiday, and by sheer coincidence, he arranged his leaving drinks party for the night of Michael Kenna's book launch. I went to the leaving drinks, of course, but not before arranging for the gallery to set aside a signed copy of the book - which I retrieved yesterday.
I've seen some of of his Japan books previously but they are expensive to buy on Amazon (etc) and aren't all in print anymore. This latest book is a collection of shots from his previous books plus a few additions from his most recent trip to Japan. Anyone who likes his work won't be disappointed by this book. In fact, they'll love it.