About Heibonsha

Heibonsha (平凡社) is a long established Japanese publishing house based in Tokyo, founded in 1914 by Shimonaka Yasaburō. Originally created to publish encyclopedias and educational reference works for a broad public, Heibonsha gradually became one of Japan’s most respected cultural publishers. Its catalogue spans literature, history, philosophy, art, and visual culture, with a strong emphasis on carefully edited, well illustrated books that balance scholarship with accessibility.

Within photography, Heibonsha is best known for its authoritative survey books and historical publications rather than commercial photo books. The publisher has played an important role in documenting and contextualizing Japanese photography through large scale reference works that map the development of the medium, photographic magazines, and key movements from the late 19th century through the postwar and contemporary periods. These publications are frequently cited by researchers, curators, and collectors as essential resources for understanding the history of Japanese photography.

Rather than focusing on trend driven releases, Heibonsha’s photography titles reflect its broader mission to preserve cultural memory and provide long term historical perspective. (Website)