NAMIKAWA Banri
NAMIKAWA Banri 並河 萬里 (1931.10.29-2006.5.7) Tokyo. Prominent photographer and scholar of world heritage sites.
Major themes World heritage sites and cultural treasures became his main themes. Has photographed such places as Mexico, Spain, Istanbul, Iran, the Silk Road, Indonesia, and Japan.
Education Graduated from Nihon Univ.'s Photography Dept. in 1955.
Career Grew up in Shimane Pref. Entered the news dept. of KR television station (forerunner of Tokyo Broadcasting System) in April 1955. Left the TV station in the same year in Nov. when he turned freelance photographer.
Guest professor (ancient art) at the Istanbul National Arts Academy from 1971 to 1977. Assistant professor (press photography) at Nihon Univ.'s art research institute from 1982 to 1987. Guest professor (comparative culture and art) at Kyoto Geijutsu Tanki Univ. from 1981 to 1992 and at Shimane Prefectural Kokusai Tanki Univ. from 1993.
Numerous overseas awards, photo books, exhibitions, and collections (especially at UNESCO Headquarters in Paris). In 1996, his photo exhibition on swans at Yakushiji Temple toured Japan. His current theme is sacred Izumo in Shimane Pref.
In March 1993, Namikawa donated about 230,000 of his photos accumulated over a period of 40 years to Shimane Prefecture which then established the Namikawa Foundation, Shimane (Shimane-ken Namikawa Banri Shashin Zaidan) in July 1994. This foundation has morphed into the Culture Foundation of Shimane Prefecture (Photograph Cultural Business Room).
This foundation, which owns the copyrights to the photos, was founded to preserve the photos and offer them for rental. It also holds photo exhibits, photo contests, lectures, and other research and educational activities on world heritage sites and cultural assets. It also publishes a Japanese magazine called "Kikan - Bunka Isan" ("Cultural Assets") in April and Oct.
The magazine features articles on world heritage sites and cultural treasures as well as photos by Namikawa. In Tokyo, the magazine is available at Sanseido Bookstore in Jimbocho (Kanda). It is also sent to foundation members. For membership information, see their Web page (in Japanese only).
Awards Spain Photo Culture Award, 1967; Mexico Distinguished Merit Award, 1970; Photographic Society of Japan Annual Award 1971 & 1981; Iran Royal Culture Award, 1972; Turkey Cultural Merit Award, 1973; Mainichi Art Award 1976, Mainichi Publishing Culture Award 1986; California State Commerce Secretary Art Award, 1987; UNESCO Special Appreciation Letter, 1989; Medal with Purple Ribbon, 1994;
Web site http://photo-culture.jp/index.html