"From the end of the Pacific War in 1945 to the Tokyo Olympic Games in 1964, Japan underwent an extraordinary transformation: from a nation ravaged by the destruction of war, Japan became a rising economic power. This period of radical change generated an unprecedented creative energy which breathed new life into Japanese photography. By the mid-1950s, Japan was at a crossroads between tradition and modernization, a moment fraught with contradiction, immortalized by the most talented photographers of the time." "The 150 photographs in this collection represent a unique vision of a nation struggling to define itself. These images are accompanied by essays from renowned Japanese experts, who provide social and historical insight into this period and its photographic output. The first comprehensive review of this period in Japanese photography, Japan: A Self-Portrait offers a tribute to the nation's strength and solidarity in the face of profound upheaval and a rare chance to view the depth of its artistic talent."--BOOK JACKET