OKADA Koyo

OKADA Koyo 岡田 紅陽 (1895.8.31-1972.11.22) Tokamachi, Niigata Pref. Photographer of Mt. Fuji, his life work.

Education Graduated Waseda Univ. law dept. in 1918.

Career Photographed the aftermath of the 1923 Great Kanto Earthquake. Received a letter of appreciation from the Governor of Tokyo for the photos.

Traveled to Europe and the South Seas, gave a large photo of Mt. Fuji to each head of state and received a letter of thanks from them. Established the Mt. Fuji Photo Association in 1940 and became the chairman.

Established the Japan Tourist Photo Federation in 1944. Opened a photo studio in Shibuya, Tokyo in 1947.

He was an avid photographer of Mt. Fuji, taking 400,000 photos of Fuji-san. On the back of the ¥1,000 bill is a picture of Mt. Fuji reflected on Lake Motosu in Yamanashi Prefecture (gyaku-Fuji or Reversed Mt. Fuji). This picture was based on a Mt. Fuji photo by Okada Koyo taken in 1935.

In Oshino, Yamanashi Prefecture, there is the Okada Koyo Photo Museum (岡田紅陽写真美術館) exhibiting his photos and cameras. Address: 2838-1 Shibokusa, Oshino-mura, Minamitsuru-gun, Yamanashi (山梨県南都留郡忍野村忍草２８３８−１)

Website: http://shikinomori.starfree.jp/

Awards Photographic Society of Japan, 1954; Japan National Park Association Award, 1956; Order of the Sacred Treasure, Gold Rays with Neck Ribbon, 1966