Helen Levitt’s photographs provide us with a glimpse into the furor and fastness of life in New York from the 30’s to the 80’s. Chronicling half a century of life on the city streets, Levitt’s lyrical eye reveals the playfulness at the heart of human interaction in the metropolis.

From Tokyo to its surrounding prefectures, a book recently published by Chose Commune reveals the Japanese photography master’s striking world, immersed in urban energy and a playful observation of people that distill it.