Tokyo graffiti: Brightening up the walls

Japanese graffiti has come a long way since its early incarnations sprung up in the late 1980s. From the days of messy and sporadic tagging, graffiti in Japan is now migrating into the PR and advertising realms, and one of the instigators of this process, Remo Camerota, author of "Graffiti Japan", is opening the door on the often secretive crews being commissioned to brighten up the grey corners of Tokyo.

Artists that began life painting illegally wherever they could, keeping their identity hidden, are now actively sought, and paid, to work on shop fronts, in tunnels, on freeway passes and more. From building owners to city councils, Tokyo's leading graffiti experts are today being commissioned to create huge murals on the side of landmark buildings. 

The Tower Records wall in Kichijoji, one of Tokyo's most cosmopolitan and popular districts, is now host to the largest single piece of graffiti art in the city, by the Nanashi Crew and Sca Crew. Taking seven artists six weeks to complete, it took over 1,000 spray cans to complete the task.

Creating such dynamic advertisements for the building, shop or location has led to various businesses seeking out artists that usually closely guard their identity, a la UK artist Banksy. 

For the casual observer, seeing the often grey world of Tokyo brightened up is a sight for sore eyes. As a winner for businesses and artists alike, long may this trend continue. 

All images from the book "Graffiti Japan" [Mark Batty Publisher].