The Japanese Photographer Who Captured David Bowie’s Ethereal Beauty

Sukita
Sukita

“From the moment I was born into this world until today, I have been living with time,” said Masayoshi Sukita. “One day, when I was in high school, my mother bought me a camera and I discovered that there is another ‘time.’ Photography is the ‘eternal time.’ I believe that the power of photography is to mark time. I wonder how much more ‘eternal time’ I can acquire in my remaining time...”

For the past six decades, Sukita, who turns 83 today, has produced some of the most eye-catching and memorable photographs ever—from the iconic cover image for David Bowie’s album Heroes, kicking off a four-decade partnership between the two artists, to images of other counterculture-movement icons like Iggy Pop, Marc Bolan, David Sylvan, and those of the Jim Jarmusch film Mystery Train.

On June 14, Sukita and ACC Art Books will release Sukita: Eternity, a coffee table book of his most memorable photographs, from his early days as a high-fashion photographer in Tokyo to his collaborations with some of the most legendary musical artists of the 20th century.

Here are a selection of images from Sukita: Eternity, available exclusively at The Daily Beast:

<div class="inline-image__caption"><p>David Bowie wearing a Kansai Yamamoto costume at RCA Studio, NYC, 1973.</p></div> <div class="inline-image__credit">Sukita</div>

David Bowie wearing a Kansai Yamamoto costume at RCA Studio, NYC, 1973.

Sukita
<div class="inline-image__caption"><p>David Bowie at RCA Studio, NYC, 1973.</p></div> <div class="inline-image__credit">Sukita</div>

David Bowie at RCA Studio, NYC, 1973.

Sukita
<div class="inline-image__caption"><p>David Bowie at RCA Studio, NYC, 1973.</p></div> <div class="inline-image__credit">Sukita</div>

David Bowie at RCA Studio, NYC, 1973.

Sukita
<div class="inline-image__caption"><p>Iggy Pop at Harajuku Studio in Tokyo, 1977.</p></div> <div class="inline-image__credit">Sukita</div>

Iggy Pop at Harajuku Studio in Tokyo, 1977.

Sukita
<div class="inline-image__caption"><p>Marc Bolan (cover of <em>Melody Maker</em>) at Pelling+Cross studio in London, 1972.</p></div> <div class="inline-image__credit">Sukita</div>

Marc Bolan (cover of Melody Maker) at Pelling+Cross studio in London, 1972.

Sukita
<div class="inline-image__caption"><p>Yellow Magic Orchestra's <em>Solid State Survivor</em> album cover in Tokyo, 1979.</p></div> <div class="inline-image__credit">Sukita</div>

Yellow Magic Orchestra's Solid State Survivor album cover in Tokyo, 1979.

Sukita
<div class="inline-image__caption"><p>The B-52's in Tokyo, 1979.</p></div> <div class="inline-image__credit">Sukita</div>

The B-52's in Tokyo, 1979.

Sukita
<div class="inline-image__caption"><p>Tomoyasu Hotei in Tokyo, 2002.</p></div> <div class="inline-image__credit">Sukita</div>

Tomoyasu Hotei in Tokyo, 2002.

Sukita

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