142

Tadanori Yokoo

1936-

Diary of a Shinjuku Burglar. 1968.

Condition A. Silkscreen. Paper, tipped to archival mount. Framed.

"This silkscreen poster for the Japanese new-wave film Diary of a Shinjuku Thief, directed by Oshima Nagisa, demonstrates Yokoo Tadanori's signature psychedelic colour palette and photomontage technique, echoing the film's surreal aesthetic. Revolving around the relationship between a young man (played by Yokoo himself) and the clerk (played by Yokoyama Rie) who catches him stealing from a bookshop, the film explores sexuality and identity against the backdrop of 1960s youth culture in Tokyo's Shinjuku district. Oshima uses a combination of black-and-white photography and saturated colour footage to blur the distinction between fantasy and reality. The names of the cast and crew are listed on the poster, with figures cut from film stills placed across the composition. Oshima's portrait appears at the top, above the title, and images of Yokoo and Yokoyama occupy the centre, encircled by the legs of a man standing on his head from an early scene in the film. Other figures from the film also appear: at the bottom is avant-garde playwright and theatre director Kara Juro, at left is Freudian sexologist Takahashi Tetsu, and at right is Tanabe Moichi, founder of the Shinjuku bookstore Kinokuniya, which is now an international chain" (M+ Museum, mplus.org.hk).

MoMA 73.1972, Yokoo 36.
40½x28¾ inches, 103x72¾ cm.

  • Condition:
    Please contact the Specialist for the auction to request a condition report.

    Condition reports and additional images are provided as a courtesy and should be used by you to aid in the formation of your own opinion regarding condition. All material is sold subject to Swann's standard Terms and Conditions of Sale as published in our catalogues and posted on our website, and include the following terms: (1) all property is sold "as-is"; and (2) works cannot be returned on the basis of condition.

Accepted Forms of Payment:

Money Order / Cashiers Check, Personal Check, Wire Transfer

Shipping

Upon request, Swann will facilitate the shipping of purchases to out-of-town buyers at an additional charge for packing, shipping and insurance, but will not be responsible for any loss, damage or delay resulting from the packing, handling and shipping thereof. Unless specific instructions are received, Swann is the sole judge of the method to be used for shipment. Packing and shipping costs will be noted on the invoice mailed to successful bidders after the sale, and are based on the actual costs involved. Be advised that a full commercial invoice must accompany any purchase shipped outside the US.

April 7, 2026 12:00 PM EDT
New York, NY, US

Swann Auction Galleries

You agree to pay a buyer’s premium, as outlined below, and any applicable taxes and shipping.
Buyer's Premium
$0 - $100,000:
27.00%
$100,001 - $1,000,000:
22.00%
$1,000,001+:
12.00%

View full terms and conditions

Bid Increments
From: To: Increments:
$0 $149 $10
$150 $499 $25
$500 $999 $50
$1,000 $1,999 $100
$2,000 $5,999 $200
$6,000 $9,999 $500
$10,000 $19,999 $1,000
$20,000 $49,999 $2,000
$50,000 $99,999 $5,000
$100,000 $199,999 $10,000
$200,000 $499,999 $20,000
$500,000 + $50,000