TOKYO LUCKY HOLE, 1983-1985, by Nobuyoshi Araki, SIGNED Start Price USD 1,725.00 Current Price USD 1,725.00 Time Left - Bid Count 0 Buy It Now Price - Reserve Price - Start Time Saturday, August 16, 2008 End Time Tuesday, August 26, 2008 Location Boston, Massachusetts See more about 'TOKYO LUCKY HOLE, 1983-1985, by Nobuyoshi Araki, SIGNED' Description "TOKYO LUCKY HOLE, 1983-1985" – First Edition (Japanese), SIGNEDPhotography by Nobuyoshi ArakiPublished by Ohta Shuppan, Tokyo, 1990SIGNED BY THE ARTISTDespite his iconoclastic ways and controversial subject matter, Nobuyoshi Araki has been and remains one of Japan's most well known artists. Unbelievably prolific, he has produced more than 350 books. Araki has flouted convention from the beginnings of his career; his first book depicted himself and his wife on their honeymoon, a very personal and revealing depiction unheard of in Japanese society. He also shocked the Japanese public with his publication of a book focusing on his wife's sickness and death from uterine cancer. But it is his nude images—sexual acts, bondage, and nude studies—that excite and enrage. With Tokyo Lucky Hole, he delved into the sex industry of the Shinjuku Kabuki-cho district, a wild west" of sexual promiscuity until a police crackdown right at the end of Araki's work period there. From Parr and Badger, "The Photobook: A History Vol. I": "Surprisingly, for all his interest in the sexual, Araki has done relatively few projects with sex workers, and this is an exhaustive documentation of the Japanese sex industry, featuring most kinds of staged sex act."While still very risqué, this first Japanese edition has been censored by the industry authorities, with black lines over privates; more hardcore images were added when the expanded German edition was published.A highly sought-after and very rare book, this first Japanese edition of Tokyo Lucky Hole, 1983-1985 is in VERY FINE condition, SIGNED by the Artist. It is a softcover book with jacket and obi, measuring 8.5 x 5.25 inches and containing numerous black-and-white plates in 272 pages. This copy has been signed by Araki in silver marker in English on the cover. Not for the prudish, this book is nonetheless a collector's item and a legend of Japanese photography. Top Choice Books offers copies with the book, jacket, and obi in VERY FINE condition, a condition not likely to be found elsewhere.PAYMENT DETAILS   Please use the shipping calculator to determine your shipping costs for US addresses   International shipping is available   I will only accept PayPal, personal checks, and money orders (bank, post office).  Payment MUST be received within three business days of the purchase, or the item will be re-listed unless other arrangements have been approved. I will ship by USPS Priority/Express Mail, or FedEx, with REQUIRED shipping Insurance, and Delivery/Signature Confirmation, unless otherwise stated in the auction.   International purchases are welcome. I will ONLY ship by USPS Express/Priority Service or FedEx International Service, which have on-line tracking and some insurance, however, the shipment will be fully insured. Buyer is responsible for any import taxes or duty associated with this purchase. UNDERSTAND that there is no warranty for international shipments once the package leaves the United States. Insurance is therefore required.   As always, if you have any questions about this item, or this auction, please contact me BEFORE you purchase this item. All sales are final unless tracking and/or full insurance is purchased. Place a Bid!