Textual Analysis of Fukase Masahisa’s Ravens (1986)
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.5294/pacla.2026.29.s3.7Keywords:
Japanese photography, Fukase Masahisa, textual analysis, phantasmatic scene, RavensAbstract
Article discusses the photographic series Ravens (1986) by Japanese photographer Fukase Masahisa, focusing on the construction of a phantasmatic scene and its capacity to evoke deep emotional connections in viewers. The methodology is grounded in textual analysis, drawing on Text Theory to integrate the semiotic, imaginary, and real levels in interpreting the work. The analysis reveals how the series goes beyond mere photographic documentation to create a scene in which viewers may recognize their own experiences of loss and transformation. It concludes that Ravens’ enduring relevance lies in its ability to bridge the photographer’s personal experience and the universal dimensions of grief and melancholy.
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Copyright (c) 2026 Lorenzo Torres Hortelano
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Ishibashi Foundation
Grant numbers FY2022-23
