"Ikeya parte siempre de una idea, una visión,
un tema e intenta equilibrarlo con el azar,
que siempre va a estar presente."
Ikeya always starts from an idea, a vision, a theme —
and tries to balance it against chance, which will always be present.
Alejandra Rodríguez Cunchillos,
La presencia del agua en el arte contemporáneo japonés, 2019, p. 210
translation from the Spanish
"Forgotten Breath, Remembered Life"
Ikeya drew that boundary state out of the abstract by using the water as his instrument — and fixed it, in the darkroom sense of the word, in his photographs.
— Tsuyoshi Saeki, Editor in Chief, Wind Traveller
(風の旅人 第48号「死の力」, June 2014)
(風の旅人 第48号「死の力」, June 2014)
"Life vs Death with the Gasp of One Breath"
We live, knowing full well that death is part of the package.
Elizah Leigh
Art Critic, Beautiful Bizarre Magazine
"Take a Deep Breath"
It’s not just a physical struggle,
but a dialogue with existence itself.
but a dialogue with existence itself.
Inaya Mussa
Vogue Portugal, 2025
Vogue Portugal, 2025
Japón y el agua
LA PRESENCIA DEL AGUA EN EL ARTE CONTEMPORÁNEO JAPONÉS :
LA OBRA DEL ARTISTA TOMOHIDE IKEYA
LA OBRA DEL ARTISTA TOMOHIDE IKEYA
Alejandra Rodríguez Cunchillos
En: David Almazán Tomás (coord.), Japón y el agua
Colección Federico Torralba de estudios de Asia Oriental
Prensas Universitarias de Zaragoza, 2019, pp. 205–219
En: David Almazán Tomás (coord.), Japón y el agua
Colección Federico Torralba de estudios de Asia Oriental
Prensas Universitarias de Zaragoza, 2019, pp. 205–219
Japan and Water: Heritage Studies and Humanities It is published in Prensas de la Universided Universidad Zaragoza
Japan and Water: Heritage Studies and Humanities It is published in Prensas de la Universided Universidad Zaragoza
Japan and Water: Heritage Studies and Humanities It is published in Prensas de la Universided Universidad Zaragoza
Japan and Water: Heritage Studies and Humanities It is published in Prensas de la Universided Universidad Zaragoza
Japan and Water: Heritage Studies and Humanities It is published in Prensas de la Universided Universidad Zaragoza
Japan and Water: Heritage Studies and Humanities It is published in Prensas de la Universided Universidad Zaragoza
Japan and Water: Heritage Studies and Humanities It is published in Prensas de la Universided Universidad Zaragoza
Vogue Portugal Japan Edition — Expo 2025 Osaka
Special Feature: "OCEANS OF LIFE / 命の海 — 深い呼吸"
Special Feature: "OCEANS OF LIFE / 命の海 — 深い呼吸"
Special Limited Edition in Partnership with Turismo de Portugal
September 2025
September 2025
Series: BREATH
Partnership: Turismo de Portugal × Vogue Portugal
Venue: Portugal Pavilion, Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai
Distribution Period: September 2025
Format: Standard Edition & Mini Edition
Language: Complete Japanese Translation
In a submerged environment, where lines and silhouettes are moulded by a liquid state, Japanese artist Tomohide Ikeya has built an artistic universe based on the relationship between the human body and water - through contrasting compositions that highlight the fragility of the human condition and question our relationship with this element.
A hardcover zig-zag coffee table book, thoughtfully designed as both a visual and tactile experience. 101 Art Book: Photography Edition is finished with gold foil detailing and produced with museum-quality printing, reflecting a commitment to both craftsmanship and permanence. Featuring cover artist Dasha Pears, whose conceptual visual language sets the tone for the edition. Bringing together 101 photographers from across the globe, this edition presents a wide spectrum of perspectives spanning portraiture, street, abstraction, and beyond.
Beautiful Bizarre Magazine 2019 Written by ELIZAH LEIGH
Beautiful Bizarre Magazine 2019 Written by ELIZAH LEIGH
Beautiful Bizarre Magazine 2019 Written by ELIZAH LEIGH
Beautiful Bizarre Magazine 2019 Written by ELIZAH LEIGH
Beautiful Bizarre Magazine 2019 Written by ELIZAH LEIGH
Beautiful Bizarre Magazine 2019 Written by ELIZAH LEIGH
Beautiful Bizarre Magazine 2019 Written by ELIZAH LEIGH
Beautiful Bizarre Magazine 2019 Written by ELIZAH LEIGH
FotoNostrum Magazine #15, 2021
FotoNostrum Magazine, issue.15, 2021
FotoNostrum Magazine, issue.15, 2021
FotoNostrum Magazine, issue.15, 2021
FotoNostrum Magazine, issue.15, 2021
FotoNostrum Magazine, issue.15, 2021
FotoNostrum Magazine, issue.15, 2021
FotoNostrum Magazine, issue.15, 2021
FotoNostrum Magazine, issue.15, 2021
FotoNostrum Magazine, issue.15, 2021
By Ann Catherine In his series BREATH, Tomohide Ikeya asks the question, “What is the power of life?” Inside of a large, water-filled tank, he explores the theme of life force. Looking beyond the scientific, Ikeya explores the vital power exuded from human beings, giving power to life. To accomplish this effect, Ikeya would dive into a huge, black-backdropped tank, with a waterproof case around his camera, and take pictures with his models. Among these models are the dancer Mimoza Koike, of the Monte Carlo Ballet Company, and free-diver Ryuzo Shinomiya. They were also accompanied by contemporary dancers, as well as people who were missing limbs, paralyzed, or blind all worthy and capable, Ikeya contends, of producing life force. By including models who are not able-bodied, Ikeya endeavors to represent a wider cross section of society.
Throughout their lives people struggle and pursue “life” through a series of difficult situations. Each person has their own unique experiences which no one else can truly witness. In BREATH, he seeks to capture these moments. The underwater world of Tomohide Ikeya’s BREATH it is frightening, magical, and captivating. On land people may not be entirely aware of how valuable oxygen (and our access to it) truly is. In BREATH there are people who cry out and struggle in the depths as their bodies go into survival mode, struggling for air in the hypoxic world they find themselves in. Darkness surrounds them like an angel of death in wait. Bubbles, their life source, escape from their mouths, reflecting the harsher moments that individuals can endure. Where there is life, there is pain and hardship. Naturally, human beings fight to overcome, to tread water and break to the surface.
One of the photos that depicts the intense, life-sucking horror presents three people entangled together. They are struggling and afraid. They are floating in the darkness with a cloud of small air bubbles trailing from their mouths. Then there are those who embrace the underwater realm they in. The models dance or float along in the gently currents. The underwater world transforms from one of fear and struggle to one of tranquility. In some of these photographs, models wear clothing—a dress, a simple scarf—which enhances the gracefulness of their movements and the magnificence of the underwater setting. The extreme darkness and the soft sunlight breaking through the surface of the water produce an otherworldly effect.
In one image, there is a group of women bundled together, bathed in a silver light, all of them nude. Whether swimming close by one another, embracing, or swimming alone, these women are supporting each other. Here, the artist shows how important human relationships are. It also shows that even though life can mean pain, it can also mean joy. While collective joy is beautiful, it is important to acknowledge the beauty of each person’s existence. The ocean, like life, is beautiful and treacherous. Through BREATH, Tomohide Ikeya explores the power of life and where that power comes from. Every individual and their experience in the series matters, just like in life itself. To view more of Tomohide Ikeya’s works, visit his website
Lens Magazine, Issue 53, 2019
ART'S VICE N'10, 2018
ART'S VICE No.10 2018
ART'S VICE No.10 2018
"THE NEW EROTIC PHOTOGRAPHY 2" TASCHEN, 2012
Dian Hanson
senior editor and writer
"NEW EROTIC PHOTOGRAPHY 2" TACHEN
"NEW EROTIC PHOTOGRAPHY 2" TACHEN
"NEW EROTIC PHOTOGRAPHY 2" TACHEN
"NEW EROTIC PHOTOGRAPHY 2" TACHEN
The Wind Traveller
Tsuyoshi Saeki, Editor in Chief,
(Issue 48: ‘The Power of Death’, June 2014)
English Translation Version
(Issue 48: ‘The Power of Death’, June 2014)
English Translation Version
風の旅人 復刊第4号（第48号） 死の力〜来し方、行く末〜
風の旅人 復刊第4号（第48号） 死の力〜来し方、行く末〜
風の旅人 復刊第4号（第48号） 死の力〜来し方、行く末〜
風の旅人 復刊第4号（第48号） 死の力〜来し方、行く末〜
風の旅人 復刊第4号（第48号） 死の力〜来し方、行く末〜
風の旅人 復刊第4号（第48号） 死の力〜来し方、行く末〜
風の旅人 復刊第4号（第48号） 死の力〜来し方、行く末〜
風の旅人 復刊第4号（第48号） 死の力〜来し方、行く末〜
風の旅人 復刊第4号（第48号） 死の力〜来し方、行く末〜
風の旅人 復刊第4号（第48号） 死の力〜来し方、行く末〜
風の旅人 復刊第4号（第48号） 死の力〜来し方、行く末〜
bitecho, 2015
bitecho 2015
bitecho 2015
bitecho 2015
bitecho 2015
bitecho 2015
bitecho 2015
bitecho 2015
Art ésotérique
Art Newspaper Company
Manuscript written by Toshiki Soma, 2016
Art Newspaper Company
Manuscript written by Toshiki Soma, 2016
芸術新聞社 相馬俊樹 Art esoteriqe
芸術新聞社 相馬俊樹 Art esoteriqe
芸術新聞社 相馬俊樹 Art esoteriqe
芸術新聞社 相馬俊樹 Art esoteriqe
芸術新聞社 相馬俊樹 Art esoteriqe
芸術新聞社 相馬俊樹 Art esoteriqe
芸術新聞社 相馬俊樹 Art esoteriqe
芸術新聞社 相馬俊樹 Art esoteriqe
Soura Magazine Issue 36, 2013
dodho magazine issue12
dodho magazine issue12
dodho magazine issue12
dodho magazine issue12
dodho magazine issue12
PHOTO+, 2013
EROTICA2
RUSSIAN REPORTER, Picture of the year, 2010
