Shinjuku 北村写真機店 (Kitamura Camera), operated by Camera no Kitamura Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo; Representative Director: Kazuhiro Fukumoto), will hold the exhibition "Once More, Shoji Ueda — Rediscovering Shoji Ueda Through Excavated Color Works and Original Prints" at the B1F Basement Gallery from Wednesday, July 1 to Friday, July 31, 2026.
The exhibition presents both previously unreleased color works and the beloved monochrome pieces that have defined the legacy of Shoji Ueda, a master photographer celebrated around the world. In addition to photographs, personal items used during his shoots — including cameras and storyboards — will also be on display.
Discover a New Side of Shoji Ueda Through Unreleased Color Works
Color photographs discovered in the home where Ueda was born and raised — works that have never been publicly shown — will be featured in this exhibition. Highlights include original prints taken during a journey through Hokuriku, inspired by Matsuo Basho's famous travel diary "Oku no Hosomichi," as well as color photographs shot at Tottori Sand Dunes, the iconic location of his celebrated series 砂丘モード (Dune Mode). Several works making their world premiere will also be on view. These color pieces, which Ueda kept largely private during his lifetime, can be appreciated in vivid, full-color prints.
Iconic Works in Original Prints — Plus Cameras and Storyboards
Original prints of Ueda's defining series — including 砂丘シリーズ (Dune Series), which captivated audiences worldwide, and パパとママとコドモたち (Papa, Mama, and the Children), a tender portrait of his own family — will be displayed. These works embody the distinctive aesthetic known as "Ueda-cho" (植田調), a style that has been admired across the globe. The exhibition also features equipment he actually used and storyboards created during the production of his works, allowing visitors to immerse themselves in Ueda's artistic world. Some original prints will also be available for purchase at the gallery.
Following the Record-Breaking Success at Namba CITY
The photography exhibition "植田正治が見た情景" (Landscapes Seen by Shoji Ueda), held in May 2026 at Camera no Kitamura Osaka / Namba CITY store, achieved the highest attendance ever recorded for any event at that location, closing to great acclaim. The Basement Gallery presentation will expand on the most popular element of the Namba CITY showing — original prints — with an even larger selection on display.
Exhibition Overview
- Dates: Wednesday, July 1 – Friday, July 31, 2026
- Hours: 10:00 AM – 7:00 PM
- Venue: Shinjuku 北村写真機店 (Kitamura Camera), B1F Basement Gallery
Photographer Profile
Shoji Ueda
Born in 1913 in what is now Sakaiminato City, Tottori Prefecture. From a young age, he was so devoted to photography that he was nicknamed "shashindo" (photography enthusiast). After graduating from Tottori Prefectural Yonago Middle School, he joined the Yonago Shayukai photography club, then moved to Tokyo to attend the Oriental School of Photography. Upon graduation, he returned to his hometown and opened a commercial photography studio. He attracted attention for his staged photography from before the war, and in the postwar era gained wide recognition for his distinctive works featuring figures placed on sandy beaches and dunes. He received the Nika Prize in 1954, and in 1958 participated in an exhibition at the Museum of Modern Art, New York, curated by Edward Steichen, bringing his work to international attention. He continued to be active through photography books such as 『童暦』 and 『小さい伝記』, firmly establishing the signature "Ueda-cho" style. Remaining in Tottori throughout his life, he was highly regarded both in Japan and abroad until his passing in 2000.
About the Basement Gallery
The Basement Gallery is a photography gallery located on the B1F of Shinjuku 北村写真機店. It was relocated and renovated from the 6th floor in June 2024, launching under the concept "Sending out photography culture from underground." The space continues to communicate the appeal of photography to all who love it, hosting exhibitions by photographers active in a range of industries as well as collaborative events with camera manufacturers.
