Shinoyama approached the project with a high-art intent, selecting Santa Fe for its status as a "creative mecca" popularized by artists like Georgia O'Keeffe and photographer Alfred Stieglitz. The photography style was heavily influenced by Group f/64
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"It's a camera where you put in one sheet of film and take one shot," Miyazawa recalled. "He never said things like 'Oh, that's good, that's good,' and I think that was actually a good thing." Shinoyama approached the project with a high-art intent,
Unveiling the Timeless Elegance of Rie Miyazawa: A Photographic Exploration by Kishin Shinoyama, 1991
In 1991, Japanese entertainment was forever changed by the release of a single, monumental publication: , a coffee table photobook featuring superstar actress Rie Miyazawa and acclaimed photographer Kishin Shinoyama . Published by Asahi Press, the book was not merely a portfolio of images, but a cultural phenomenon that redefined celebrity, photography, and nudity in Japan. The 96-page, 26x33 cm hardcover featured an 18-year-old Miyazawa posing nude against the stark, stunning desert landscapes of Santa Fe, New Mexico. If you share with third parties, their policies apply
In later interviews, Shinoyama revealed the almost surreal origin of the project. He met Miyazawa's mother, who acted as her manager, on the set of the film Gohime in Kyoto. As a half-joke, Shinoyama remarked, "Rie-chan is already 18; maybe it's time to shoot some nudes of her." To his astonishment, her mother replied without hesitation, "Maybe after the holidays, if you're going to shoot, we can do it."
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The photographs lacked the performative, hyper-sexualized poses typical of underground magazines. Instead, Miyazawa appeared completely natural, liberated, and unbothered by the camera, projecting an aura of pure artistic freedom. Breaking Records and Challenging Taboos
The release of Santa Fe was a masterclass in media frenzy. Initial print runs sold out instantly, leading to chaotic scenes outside major Tokyo bookstores. The book became a ubiquitous topic on variety television shows, in weekly magazines, and among the general public. It transcended the typical demographic of male photography buyers; millions of Japanese women purchased the book, admiring it for its fashion sensibility, artistic lighting, and Miyazawa’s courage and physical beauty.
