Rikitake avoids primary colors in most of his work, but in .108, he allows a single, shocking stroke of vermilion on the lower lip. Not painted on the lip, but bleeding off of it. Art historians have compared this to the "ukiyo-e" tradition of printing imperfections, where a misplaced registration block becomes an emotional cue. Here, the bleeding lip suggests a woman who has just spoken—or just been kissed in a different century.
Why the suffix .108? In Rikitake’s own artist statement (published in the Bardo Journal of Transpersonal Art, 2021), he explains:
“In Buddhism, there are 108 earthly desires. In Hinduism, 108 is the number of wholeness. In the human body, we have 108 marmas (energy points). But in love, 108 is the number of breaths before a ghost forgets your name.”
For Portraits Of Jennie By Yasushi Rikitake.108, the number refers to the layer count. Using a technique he calls kaze-nagashi (wind-flowing), Rikitake would apply oil paint, let it dry for 12 hours, then use a solvent to pull the pigment vertically downward—like rain on a windowpane. Layer 108 was the final "anti-layer." He did not add paint; he removed it.
He took a surgical blade and scraped away the varnish over Jennie’s heart. The canvas below is raw, unprimed, and stained with ghostly outlines of previous Jennies. It is an act of negative creation: the most important part of the portrait is the absence of paint.
Yasushi Rikitake is a Japanese-born, Paris-based visual philosopher. Unlike his contemporaries in the hyper-realistic or purely abstract schools, Rikitake occupies a liminal space. His body of work is obsessed with mono no aware (the bittersweet awareness of impermanence) and yūgen (profound, mysterious grace).
Before the "Jennie" series, Rikitake was known for his "Vanishing Tokyo" collection—paintings of neon-lit alleyways dissolving into fog. However, in 2016, he discovered a deteriorating film reel of the 1948 classic Portrait of Jennie (directed by William Dieterle, starring Jennifer Jones). The film, which tells the story of a man who falls in love with a ghost moving backwards through time, triggered a creative seizure in Rikitake.
He locked himself in his Montmartre studio for 108 days. The result was a series of 144 works, of which "Portraits Of Jennie By Yasushi Rikitake.108" is considered the master key.
"Portraits of Jennie" by Yasushi Rikitake (Issue #108) is an incredibly rare and highly sought-after Japanese vintage photography volume. This entry stands as a definitive artifact of 1970s/1980s Japanese erotic and aesthetic portraiture.
Below is a complete, ready-to-use post designed for art collectors, photography enthusiasts, and vintage publication curators.
📸 Archive Spotlight: "Portraits of Jennie" by Yasushi Rikitake (No. 108)
For connoisseurs of classic Japanese photography and independent art publishing, the name Yasushi Rikitake evokes a very specific era of visual storytelling. Today, we are diving deep into one of his most legendary and elusive releases: "Portraits of Jennie" (Issue No. 108). 🖤 The Vision of Yasushi Rikitake
Yasushi Rikitake is celebrated for his highly distinct approach to the female form. Moving far beyond standard commercial photography of the era, Rikitake’s work is characterized by: Portraits Of Jennie By Yasushi Rikitake.108
Theatrical Lighting: Masterful use of deep shadows, soft glows, and high-contrast monochrome and color palettes.
Cinematic Melancholy: His shoots often feel like frozen frames from a forgotten, avant-garde European or Japanese art film.
Narrative Sensuality: Rather than sterile poses, Rikitake captured raw emotion, fleeting glances, and an atmosphere thick with mood and mystery. 📖 About "Portraits of Jennie" No. 108
Part of a meticulously numbered series, Issue 108 is a prized gem for several reasons:
The Title's Homage: The title "Portraits of Jennie" pays a stylistic and thematic homage to the classic 1948 fantasy-romance film Portrait of Jennie. Much like the film, Rikitake's photographs capture a sense of ethereal, timeless beauty that feels almost ghost-like and dream-driven.
Mastery of Texture: This specific issue is renowned for how Rikitake captures the interplay between skin, delicate fabrics, and grain, giving the physical print a highly tactile quality.
Vintage Rarity: Published in limited quantities during the golden age of Japanese independent photobooks, finding a complete copy of No. 108 in good condition is a true treasure hunt for modern collectors. 🔍 Collector's Corner: What to Look For
If you are actively hunting for a physical copy of this volume in the wild or on auction platforms, keep these checks in mind:
The Spine and Binding: Early softcover publications from this era are notorious for glue degradation. Always check if the pages are firmly attached.
Color Preservation: Look for copies that have been stored away from direct sunlight to ensure the rich, saturated tones haven't faded into a washed-out yellow.
Completeness: Ensure that no pages have been removed by previous owners, a common occurrence with vintage portraiture books.
Are you a collector of Yasushi Rikitake's works, or do you have a favorite Japanese photographer from this era? Let us know in the comments below! Rikitake avoids primary colors in most of his work, but in
#YasushiRikitake #PortraitsOfJennie #JapanesePhotography #VintagePhotobooks #ArtArchive #FilmAesthetic
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Portrait of Jennie (1948), starring Jennifer Jones and Joseph Cotten
Portrait of Jennie (1948), starring Jennifer Jones and Joseph Cotten : r/classicfilms. Reddit·r/classicfilms
Portrait of Jennie (1948), starring Jennifer Jones and Joseph Cotten
Portrait of Jennie (1948), starring Jennifer Jones and Joseph Cotten : r/classicfilms. Reddit·r/classicfilms
The "Portraits of Jennie" collection by photographer Yasushi Rikitake
is an adult-oriented digital photography series that consists of a large number of images—set 108 being one installment in a broader catalog of thousands of photos.
Yasushi Rikitake is a Japanese photographer known for his extensive work in the nude and erotic art
genres. The "Portraits of Jennie" series typically features high-resolution, candid-style photography of a model identified as Jennie in various settings, ranging from domestic environments to studio setups. Key Aspects of the Series : Adult digital photography and Japanese erotica.
: Rikitake is highly prolific, often releasing sets numbered into the hundreds or thousands.
: Usually distributed as digital archives or image sets (e.g., .rar files) on specialized adult photography platforms. Note of Distinction: “In Buddhism, there are 108 earthly desires
This photography series should not be confused with the 1948 supernatural romance film Portrait of Jennie
or the 1940 novella by Robert Nathan, which tell a story about a struggling artist and a girl who seems to be traveling through time. availability of his collections? Portraits Of Jennie By Yasushi Rikitake.rar - Facebook
The digital series Portraits of Jennie by Yasushi Rikitake, specifically installment 108, serves as a compelling study of the intersection between classical portraiture and modern digital photography. Rikitake, known for his prolific work in the late 1990s and early 2000s, uses this particular entry to explore the nuances of female grace through a minimalist lens. The Aesthetic of Simplicity
In Portraits of Jennie.108, Rikitake strips away the artifice often found in high-fashion photography. There are no elaborate sets or distracting backdrops. Instead, the focus is placed entirely on the subject, Jennie. This minimalist approach forces the viewer to engage with the subtle details: the texture of the skin, the stray strands of hair, and the quiet intensity of her gaze. It is an exercise in "the art of the glance," capturing a moment that feels both fleeting and permanent. Lighting and Mood
The lighting in the 108th portrait is quintessential Rikitake. He employs soft, diffused light that mimics the natural glow of an afternoon sun. This technique rounds the features of the subject, creating a sense of warmth and intimacy. Unlike the harsh, high-contrast lighting of contemporary editorial work, Rikitake’s choice of illumination evokes a nostalgic, almost painterly quality, reminiscent of a Vermeer or a Wyeth. The Role of Digital Medium
As an early pioneer in digital photography, Rikitake’s Portraits of Jennie series was a testament to the medium's potential. In #108, the clarity provided by the digital format allows for a level of intimacy that feels voyeuristic yet respectful. The series was designed to be viewed on screens, and Rikitake masterfully balances resolution and softness to ensure that the human element isn't lost to the coldness of technology. Conclusion
Portraits of Jennie.108 is more than just a photograph; it is a meditation on the quiet beauty of the individual. Yasushi Rikitake succeeds in elevating a simple portrait into a timeless piece of art by focusing on the harmony between light, subject, and digital precision. It remains a definitive example of how subtle composition can evoke profound emotion. To help you refine this, let me know:
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In the vast ocean of contemporary art, where novelty often trumps nuance, certain works transcend their medium to become cultural touchstones. One such enigmatic masterpiece is "Portraits Of Jennie By Yasushi Rikitake.108" . This is not merely a painting; it is a spectral dialogue between memory, loss, and the relentless passage of time. For collectors, cinephiles, and spiritual art seekers, the code “.108” has become a digital sigil—a key unlocking one of the most haunting visual narratives of the 21st century.
But what exactly is Portraits Of Jennie By Yasushi Rikitake.108? Why does it resonate with such visceral power? To understand this work, we must first dissect its three components: the artist, the muse, and the mystical number.