Yamamoto Masao’s artistic journey began to unfold as he developed a keen interest in photography. He pursued formal education in the arts, and his early exposure to traditional Japanese aesthetics and philosophy left an indelible mark on his photographic sensibilities. This background, coupled with Yamamoto Masao’s exploration of Zen Buddhism, heavily influences the meditative and contemplative qualities that characterize his later work.

The photobook “Sasanami” exists as a collaboration between photographer Masao Yamamoto and musician Akira Uchida, initiated by French publishing house Iikki.
Yamamoto’s photographs capture sights and events from the natural world – back-lit flowers, a single cloud in the sky, the sea at night, a tree at night against the stars, three sleeping ducks, the barely visible shape of a mountain behind fog – with unparalleled admiration, poetry and an eye for beauty. While the simplicity of his compositions invites the reader to get lost in single pictures, when viewed in sequence the photographs build towards a bigger picture, towards a heightened awareness of the world’s richness.

The soundtrack to the book is provided by Akira Uchida (with contribution by Miu Sakamoto), whose atmospheric melodies heighten the primordial and ephemeral aspects of Yamamoto’s images.
Each copy of the book includes a bandcamp coupon for a free download of the music album.