Photo/Illutration Kishin Shinoyama explains about his photograph of John Lennon and Yoko Ono at the “Shashinryoku” exhibition in 2012. (Asahi Shimbun file photo)

Famed photographer Kishin Shinoyama, whose iconic shot of John Lennon kissing Yoko Ono graced the cover of their 1980 “Double Fantasy” album, died on Jan. 4. He was 83.

Shinoyama, whose real name was Michinobu Shinoyama, also photographed influential author Yukio Mishima at his request shortly before he committed ritual suicide by disembowelment in 1970.

A graduate of the photography department at Nihon University’s College of Art, Shinoyama won fame for portraits of everyone from celebrities to ordinary people, which were published in weekly magazines, women’s magazines and art magazines.

He received the Art Encouragement Prize for New Artists from the education minister for his 1972 collection of photos of Kabuki actor Bando Tamasaburo, whom he became acquainted with through Mishima.

Shinoyama was a speedy photographer, capturing images of things, places and people that caught his eye. 

“I go to people, things and objects that I find interesting at the time and grab a quick shot of the best parts of them,” he said.

The photograph of Lennon and his wife, which he said became “my photograph seen by the most people in the world,” was taken in his characteristic fashion.

Shinoyama said he asked the couple to sit on a bench in New York’s Central Park in 1980, suggested a casual kiss and speedily captured the scene.

Shinoyama traveled around the world with architect Arata Isozaki and published a series of photographs of ancient and modern architectural masterpieces in 1980.

Another series released in 1981 featured photographs he took along the Silk Road.

A prolific photographer, Shinoyama published more than 300 photo collections and other books in his career.

In 1991, he released two collections of nude photographs: “water fruit” featuring actress Kanako Higuchi and “Santa Fe” showcasing idol Rie Miyazawa.

“Santa Fe” sold 1.65 million copies, a rare hit for a photo collection, while “water fruit” gained attention for showing the actress’ pubic hair.

A total of 1 million people visited his traveling photo exhibition, titled “Shashinryoku,” between 2012 and 2019.

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