"Portraits Of Jennie By Yasushi Rikitake.108" first appeared at the Venice Biennale (2022) in the "Spirits and Spectres" pavilion. It was displayed in a completely dark room illuminated by a single flickering LED designed to mimic a 1940s cinema projector.
Critics were divided. Artforum called it “pretentious sentimentality wrapped in academic mysticism.” But Frieze magazine declared it “the most genuine depiction of ghost love since Goethe’s Erikönig.”
In November 2023, the piece was purchased by a private collector in Kyoto for $4.8 million USD—then immediately donated to the Yamamoto Museum of Spectral Art, where it currently holds a permanent rotating display (the work is so sensitive to light that it is only shown for 15 minutes every 108 minutes).
Born in Fukuoka, Japan, Yasushi Rikitake began his career as a traditional sumi-e ink painter. He transitioned to digital tablets in the early 2000s but never abandoned the wabi-sabi principle of imperfection. Where other digital artists chase 8K hyper-realism, Rikitake programs his brushes to introduce "errors": digital noise that mimics oxidized varnish, algorithmic jitter that resembles a worn charcoal stick.
The .108 piece is a masterclass in this technique. Zoom in on Jennie’s hair. You will not find individual strands. Instead, you find a series of horizontal "cuts"—digital abrasions that look like scratched celluloid film. This is no accident. Rikitake once explained in a rare 2019 interview: "Jennie is a memory of a memory of a film of a painting. Each reproduction loses specificity but gains soul. .108 is where the soul outweighs the face."
That is why collectors covet Portraits Of Jennie By Yasushi Rikitake.108. It is not the most beautiful Jennie (that is arguably .047). It is not the most technically complex (.089). It is the most honest—the portrait where the artist admits he cannot fully remember her, and that forgetting is its own kind of love.
Q: Is "Portraits Of Jennie By Yasushi Rikitake.108" a digital NFT? A: No. Rikitake actively refuses blockchain technology. The .108 denotes the layer count, not a digital token.
Q: Can I buy a print? A: The estate has authorized only 108 archival pigment prints, each signed and annotated with a different layer number. They are priced at $18,000 and sell out within hours of release.
Q: Is the story of the 1948 film required viewing? A: While not required, viewers who watch Portrait of Jennie (1948) before seeing the painting report a dramatically different experience—usually involving tears.
Q: What happened to the other 143 works in the series? A: Rikitake destroyed 36 of them in a performance titled "Forgetting." The remaining works are scattered in private collections. Version .108 is widely considered the pinnacle.
If you have been moved by "Portraits Of Jennie By Yasushi Rikitake.108," consider supporting the Yamamoto Museum’s conservation fund—because even ghosts need caretakers.
Here’s a sample social media post for "Portraits of Jennie" by Yasushi Rikitake (108 version):
🎨 Just listened to “Portraits of Jennie” by Yasushi Rikitake (108) — and I’m completely spellbound.
There’s a haunting, cinematic quality to this piece. It drifts between nostalgia and longing, like a memory you can’t quite hold onto but can’t let go of. The piano feels both fragile and determined, as if Jennie herself is slowly coming into focus through mist and time.
Rikitake’s touch is delicate yet profound — every note seems to breathe. If you’re a fan of evocative, story-driven piano music (think Satie meets anime soundtrack melancholy), this one belongs in your collection.
🎧 Listen closely. You might just see her, too. Portraits Of Jennie By Yasushi Rikitake.108
#PortraitsOfJennie #YasushiRikitake #PianoMusic #CinematicPiano #AmbientClassical #MelancholyMusic #InstrumentalStorytelling
Would you like a shorter version for Instagram/TikTok or a quote-style post instead?
Please note: Yasushi Rikitake is a contemporary Japanese composer known for lyrical, programmatic works for concert band and chamber ensembles. “Portraits of Jennie” is one of his most evocative works, inspired by the classic 1948 fantasy film Portrait of Jennie (directed by William Dieterle, based on the novel by Robert Nathan).
Most portrait artists use the background to highlight the figure. Rikitake does the opposite. In Portraits Of Jennie By Yasushi Rikitake.108, the background is a dense, almost oppressive charcoal grey, but Jennie herself is rendered in translucent layers. She is darker than the background. She is a photographic negative made flesh. This inversion suggests that Jennie is not a person in a room; rather, the room is a dream inside Jennie’s fading consciousness.
The piece is through-composed but has three emotional sections:
| Section | Tempo | Character | Musical cues | |--------|-------|-----------|----------------| | I. Meeting | Moderato, wistful | Solo clarinet/oboe; arpeggiated piano; fragile melody | Rising 4ths/5ths (mystery) | | II. Passing of time | Poco più mosso | Flowing woodwinds; chimes mark “lost years” | Shifting meters; ambiguous tonality | | III. Revelation / Storm | Agitato – Maestoso | Full band; brass chorale; storm effects (timpani, wind) | Apocalyptic climax → quiet, ethereal ending |
Key motif: A descending minor third (Jennie’s “theme”) appears throughout, transformed from gentle to dramatic.
The keyword "Portraits of Jennie" by Yasushi Rikitake refers to a significant series of Japanese photobooks published in the late 1990s. Specifically, "Portraits of 'Jennie' 7" was published on August 1, 1998, by the Rikitake Yasushi Shashin Jimusho (Yasushi Rikitake Photography Office). The "108" in your query likely refers to a specific volume, page number, or a digital archive identifier common in collectors' circles. The Vision of Yasushi Rikitake
Yasushi Rikitake is a Japanese photographer known for his contributions to the "Photo-Lolicon" genre, which saw a peak in popularity in the mid-1980s before facing a slow decline following high-profile criminal cases in Japan that shifted public perception. Despite the shifting legal and social landscape, Rikitake continued to publish high-quality, large-format photobooks through his own private office.
His "Portraits of Jennie" series is characterized by its formal, stylized approach to portraiture. The books were typically published in B5 size (approximately 27cm) and featured high production values, often commanding a high retail price (e.g., ¥12,000 for Volume 7). Key Features of the Series
The series is notable for its focus on youth and the "shoujo" (young girl) aesthetic, featuring various models such as: Akiho Iino (15 years old) Yuki Kiyohara (15 years old) Yuko Miho (15 years old) Noriko Kawai (15 years old)
These works are often sought after by collectors of vintage Japanese photography for their specific aesthetic and the technical quality of the printing. While the title "Portrait of Jennie" is also a famous 1940 American novella by Robert Nathan, Rikitake’s series is a distinct visual work that shares only a nominal connection, perhaps inspired by the ethereal, timeless themes of the original story. Availability and Legacy
Finding original copies of Rikitake's work today can be challenging, as they were often released in limited quantities. Collectors typically look to specialized retailers like Kinokuniya or second-hand Japanese bookstores.
The series remains a point of interest in the history of Japanese subculture photography, representing a specific era of "image-maker" culture that flourished before the tightening of Japanese child protection laws in the late 1990s and early 2000s.
Ｐｏｒｔｒａｉｔｓ ｏｆ'Ｊｅｎｎｉｅ'<２> by 力武靖 "Portraits Of Jennie By Yasushi Rikitake
Item Type : Japanese Books. Publication Date : 1998/08. Publisher : 力武靖写真事務所 (JP) ISBN : 9784915979170. Size/Pages : B5 27cm. N.B. Books Kinokuniya Australia
Portraits of 'Jennie' is a multi-volume photography collection by Yasushi Rikitake
that primarily features portraits of the Japanese gravure idol and actress Jennie Chen (often referred to as Jennie). Key Feature: The "Series" Format A prominent feature of this work is its publication as a multi-part series , often categorized as a "Photographic Story." Serialized Release : The collection is divided into multiple volumes (e.g., Portraits of 'Jennie' <1> Portraits of 'Jennie' <2> Thematic Focus
: Unlike a standard one-off photobook, this series was designed to capture different "chapters" or moods of the subject over a specific period, allowing for a more comprehensive visual narrative than a single volume. Aesthetic Style
: Rikitake is known for a classic, film-like aesthetic in his portraiture, often utilizing natural lighting and intimate settings to highlight the subject's personality. Books Kinokuniya Australia
These volumes can occasionally be found through specialist retailers like Kinokuniya or second-hand marketplaces like Amazon Japan of these portraits or other works by Yasushi Rikitake AI responses may include mistakes. Learn more Amazon.co.jp: Portrait of Jennie : Japanese Books
The series Portraits of Jennie (also known as Portraits of Jenny
) is a significant multi-volume photographic collection by the Japanese photographer Yasushi Rikitake , released primarily in the late 1990s. Overview of the Series Artist and Intent:
Yasushi Rikitake curated this series to showcase what he considered his most artistic and aesthetically refined work. It serves as a comprehensive retrospective of his career's focus on portraiture. Scale and Scope:
The collection consists of multiple large-format hardcover volumes (often cited as up to 10 volumes). Each book typically contains around 160 pages of high-quality, acid-free archival paper.
The series features portraits of approximately 200 different models. Notably, while it includes a vast range of subjects, the famous model Rika Nishimura —a central figure in Rikitake's other works like the Six Years Trilogy
—is included through previously published images rather than new sessions. Artistic Philosophy:
Unlike many commercial photography books of the era, Rikitake intended Portraits of Jennie
to be uncensored, presenting his subjects in a raw, naturalistic, and artistically focused light. Significance of "108" The number
often appears in relation to specific volumes or editions within Rikitake's bibliography. In Japanese culture and Buddhist tradition, 108 is a sacred number representing the number of worldly desires or "Kleshas" that one must overcome. In the context of Rikitake's work, it often refers to: Limited Editions: High-end collectors' versions or specific archival sets. Volume Numbering: If you have been moved by "Portraits Of
Specific catalog entries within his broader "Jennie" project. Market and Rarity Upon its release in
, the series was notably expensive, with individual volumes retailing for over $90. Today, due to their limited print runs and high production quality, they are considered rare collector's items and often command significantly higher prices on the secondary art book market. Artistic Legacy
Rikitake is often associated with the "Girls Photography" movement in Japan, but Portraits of Jennie
Portraits Of Jennie " by Yasushi Rikitake is a renowned published in Japan in , featuring the model Rika Nishimura
. Yasushi Rikitake is a Japanese photographer known for his work in the and portraiture genres. Key Report Details Portraits Of Jennie Photographer: Yasushi Rikitake Main Model:
Rika Nishimura (frequently featured in Rikitake's mid-90s collections) Release Year:
Typically published as a high-quality hardcover or softcover photobook by Japanese publishers like Tatsumi Publishing Artistic Style & Content The collection is celebrated for its cinematic lighting
and soft-focus aesthetic, capturing Rika Nishimura in various indoor and outdoor settings. The ".108" suffix in your query likely refers to a specific digital file identifier
or page count often associated with archival scans or digital distribution of the work. Cultural Context
This work is part of the peak era of Japanese idol photobooks. Rikitake's style often blended innocent, "girl-next-door" aesthetics with sophisticated photography techniques, making it a collector's item for fans of 90s Japanese photography. of this book or the market value for a physical copy? Portraits Of Jennie By Yasushi Rikitake.108
Portraits of Jennie " by Yasushi Rikitake is an adult-oriented photo book (often cited as 108 Club: Portraits of Jennie) by the Japanese photographer known for his work in the "shibari" and aesthetic bondage genres.
This specific volume, often found in digital archives or collector circles as a ".rar" or compressed file, is part of a broader series of works by Rikitake. The "108" typically refers to the 108 Club, a series of publications from the late 1980s and 1990s that focused on erotic art and photography. Key Characteristics
Artist: Yasushi Rikitake is a prominent figure in Japanese erotic photography, particularly known for his technical skill in capturing bondage (Kinbaku).
Subject Matter: The "Jennie" in the title refers to the featured model. The book consists of a series of portraits and full-body shots that emphasize light, shadow, and the aesthetic composition of its subject.
Genre: It falls under adult aesthetic photography, often blending traditional portraiture with stylized erotic elements.
Historical Context: These works were primarily released in Japan during the peak of the "idol" and specialized photography book boom of the 1990s. Distinctions
It is important not to confuse this work with the famous 1940 novella "Portrait of Jennie" by Robert Nathan. Nathan's work is a classic supernatural romance about an artist who meets a girl who "slips through time". Rikitake’s work is entirely separate and belongs to the niche field of Japanese adult photography. Portraits Of Jennie By Yasushi Rikitake.rar - Facebook