Tomoyoshi Murayama – Book Designer and Author

Murayama, Tomoyoshi. 村山知義.

Bōryokudanki. 暴力團記. (Chronicle of violent groups).

Tōkyō : Nihon Hyōronsha, 1930.

(4), 207, (5) pages.

17 x 12 cm. Original brochure with typographic and colour design (designed by Tomoyoshi Murayama).

EUR 280

Tomoyoshi Murayama (1901–1977) is regarded as one of the most radical book designers of the Japanese modern era. His work in the 1920s revolutionised Japanese graphic design by adapting avant-garde concepts from Europe – particularly Constructivism and Dadaism – and integrating them into everyday life.  Murayama was both the author and book designer; this first edition from 1930 was published by Nihon Hyōronsha as part of the series ‘Nihon Proletaria Kessaku Senshū’ (Collection of Japanese Proletarian Masterpieces). The book *Bōryokudanki* (roughly translated as *Chronicle of Violent Groups*), published in 1930, is one of the most significant works from Tomoyoshi Murayama’s proletarian creative period. It marks his transition from purely avant-garde experimentation (Mavo) to politically engaged art and literature. It is a drama (proletarian theatre) that deals with the so-called ‘Two-Seven Incident’ (二·七惨案) of 1923 in China. This concerned the bloody struggle of railway workers against military rulers and the gangs of thugs hired by them (the eponymous Bōryokudan). Contemporaries such as Kubo Sakae praised the work as one of the high points of Japanese proletarian drama, particularly for Murayama’s ability to bring crowd scenes to life.

Contains Bōryokudanki (a play) (p. 1-103) and 12 other short stories.

Lit.: Weisenfeld, Gennifer: Mavo: Japanese Artists and the AvantGarde, 1905-1931 (2002)

Japon des Avant-Gardes 1910–1970, Paris, Centre Pompidou, 1986.

Hackner, Thomas. Dada und Futurismus in Japan. München 2001.

I can only find two copies in libraries in North America; in Japan, the book is somewhat more common, but usually in poor condition. This copy is in fine condition; only the spine is slightly discoloured, but not damaged, as is often the case.