The Museum of Fine Arts, Boston is honoring one of the most important photobooks ever created. “Kawada Kikuji: Chizu (The Map)” opens October 24, 2026, and runs through July 18, 2027, giving visitors a rare chance to explore the landmark 1965 work in depth.
In 1965, Japanese photographer Kawada Kikuji (b. 1933) published Chizu — “The Map” — a collection of black-and-white photographs that captured the mood of 1960s Japan: the Atomic Bomb Dome in Hiroshima, Coca-Cola bottles scattered on the ground, ruined fortresses, and quiet scenes full of memory and mystery. Today it is celebrated as one of the most influential photobooks in the history of photography.
The exhibition goes deep into the making of this masterpiece. It presents the MFA’s extensive archive of prints, negatives, notes, and contact sheets — all acquired directly from the photographer in 2022 — alongside an original copy of the book itself.
Photography lovers, students, and anyone curious about Japanese art history will find something unforgettable here. Add it to your fall calendar and experience a true landmark of visual storytelling at the MFA.
Photo: Museum of Fine Arts, Boston (Kawada Kikuji, courtesy of L. Parker Stephenson Photographs)
