London: HERBIE YAMAGUCHI in Matsukawa Box

March 10, 2025

London: HERBIE YAMAGUCHI in Matsukawa Box

March 26 – May 30, 2025

Michelle LONDON / HERBIE YAMAGUCHI　1988年

THE MIRROR is pleased to present “London: Herbie Yamaguchi in Matsukawa Box.”

This exhibition showcases a collection of photographs capturing the everyday moments of people in London, where Herbie Yamaguchi spent ten years from 1973.

His monochrome photography, though depicting unfamiliar landscapes, evokes a deep sense of nostalgia.

The exhibition venue, Matsukawa Box, was designed by renowned architect Dan Miyawaki and completed in 1971.

The timeless photographs, alongside the architectural masterpiece of Matsukawa Box, bring the memories of the 1970s and 1980s vividly to life.

Exhibition Details

Exhibition Period：Wednesday, March 26 – Friday, May 30, 2025
Opening Hours：Wednesday to Friday, 1:00 PM – 5:00 PM (hourly admission slots)
Closed: Saturday to Tuesday
Reservations： Advance reservation required (Children below school age must be accompanied by one guardian per child)
Admission Fees：
• General： ¥1,000 (incl. tax)
• University students and younger：¥500 (incl. tax)
• Middle school students and younger： Free
※ Please select the ¥1,000 admission fee when booking for university students and younger. A student ID must be presented at the venue to receive the discounted price of ¥500.
※ Reservations are required for elementary and middle school students. Please select the ¥1,000 admission fee when booking.

Organizer: TOSHIO SHIMIZU ART OFFICE

Herbie Yamaguchi (Photographer)

PhotographerBorn in Tokyo in 1950, Herbie Yamaguchi moved to London at the age of 23 and spent ten years there. He joined a theater group led by Japanese expatriates and performed as an actor in 100 productions.During his time in London, he became deeply involved in the punk rock movement, forming connections with British musicians. His photographs, capturing the essence of London’s vibrant culture, received high acclaim.After returning to Japan, he continued photographing artists and everyday people in a snap portrait style. His early battle with caries disease from childhood to his mid-teens shaped his artistic philosophy, with “hope for life” as the central theme of his work.His gentle and pure artistic style resonates with fans across generations. Beyond photography, he has written essays, worked as a radio personality, and contributed lyrics to several songs for guitarist Tomoyasu Hotei.In 2011, he was awarded the Japan Photographic Society’s Author Award. He has served as a visiting professor at Osaka University of Arts and Kyushu Sangyo University and became the Principal of the Japan Institute of Photography and Film in 2024.

Major Works:
• London After the Dream
• Daikanyama 17-Banchi
• Hope: The Sky Turns Blue
• What Makes a Good Photograph
• Photographs That Bring Happiness to People

His professional name, Herbie, is derived from his admiration for jazz flutist Herbie Mann.

THE MIRROR

THE MIRROR is a contemporary gallery launched in the fall of 2023 by artistic director Toshio Shimizu.Set in the iconic Matsukawa Box, designed by Dan Miyawaki, THE MIRROR serves as a creative hub for art, design, literature, science, and other disciplines. The gallery primarily focuses on contemporary art while fostering diverse artistic and cultural activities.

AccessAddress:

Matsukawa Box A Building, 2-14-15 Nishiwaseda, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo 169-0051, Japan
The entrance is on the left after climbing the stairs. Look for the wooden door.By Train:
• 4-minute walk from Exit 2 of Nishi-Waseda Station (Fukutoshin Line)
• 10-minute walk from Exit 2 of Waseda Station (Tozai Line)
• 15-minute walk from Takadanobaba Station (JR Yamanote Line, Seibu Shinjuku Line)By Car:
• No parking is available. Please use parking meters along Suwa Street near the Meiji Street Suwa-cho intersection toward Waseda University.By Bicycle:
• No bicycle parking is available.

Visitor Guidelines

• A maximum of 10 visitors per hour can be admitted. Please make separate reservations for each individual.
• Entry and viewing are allowed anytime within the reserved hour, but visitors must leave at the designated exit time. Please allow ample time for viewing.
• There is no waiting area at the venue. Since the gallery is located in a residential area, please do not arrive early or wait outside the gallery, as it may disturb neighbors.
• Food and drinks are not allowed.
• The gallery will remain open on public holidays.
• Opening dates, hours, and admission times are subject to change without prior notice.
• There are no group discounts, advance ticket sales, or other discount programs.
• The venue is not barrier-free. If you require assistance, please contact us in advance.
• Media representatives can schedule interviews in advance.
• Photography is allowed for personal use, such as social media posting. The exhibition venue will provide guidelines on whether specific exhibits can be photographed.
• Please review and adhere to all visitor guidelines.