The Archer of the Age by Shuji Terayama

Shuji Terayama, a multi-talented individual, blossomed in various fields, including tanka poetry, essays, novels, theater, and film.

This book was published in 1967, when Terayama was 32 years old. The following year, he was preparing to establish the experimental theater group "Tenjo Sajiki." As a rising star of the era, he was on the path to success, and as the title "The Archer of the Times" (Jidai no Ite) suggests, he was a figure who successively hit the targets of the times.

The book's design is believed to express the concept of hitting the target of the times. It was handled by Ikko Tanaka, a representative graphic designer of the Showa era, who boldly placed a design reminiscent of a target with a bow and arrow on the head of the actor Akaji Maro on the front and back covers. Furthermore, the book itself, without the cover, features a design in yellow and black, with multiple concentric circles that seem to represent the target of the times. Daido Moriyama was also employed as the photographer, and his works are included in the inner pages, making it an exceptional combination for the book's design at the time.

The item has been stored at home for 54 years and shows some wear and tear, such as creasing, scuffing, and abrasion on the upper part of the cover, as shown in the images. The text pages have minimal yellowing and age-related deterioration, with no writing or stains.

Author: Shuji Terayama
Publisher: Haga Shoten
Publication Year:
First Edition: April 30, 1967
3rd Edition: May 10, 1971

Book Design & Layout:
Ikko Tanaka
Photography:
Daido Moriyama
Model:
Akaji Maro

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