澁澤星 Sei Shibusawa

 

Paintings by Japanese artist Sei Shibusawa on paper with gold leaf. 

Seiichi Tabata

まちがいカレンダ 'Mistake Calendar' Written by Furuta Ashibi and illustrated by Seiichi Tabata (1931-2020) This vast book was published in 1970, this book is almost like a science fiction novel . A group of elementary school students discover the intentions of a fake Santa and enlist the help of the real Santa to save humanity.  

Seiichi had an interesting life, born in Osaka in1931 he lost his father at just 14, he studied while working part-time. In high school, he was head of the art club but he became interested in atomic physics and enrolled in the Faculty of Science at Kyoto University, during the Korean War he began to have doubts about atomic physics and gradually shifted his interest to puppet theatre . 

He dropped out of university and joined the puppet theater company PUK, later he became drawn to the world of picture books when he met and became close friends with Furuta Ashihi, who had moved to the same neighbourhood, they collaborated on many books.

Tatsuo Ikeda 池田龍雄 II

 

This book is 1959 and I am still on my quest to answer who is Tatsuo Ikeda the illustrator. On the Japanese site where I found this the administrator does believe it to be the same person as the artist Tatsuo Ikeda and in the swirl of the dark forest I do see similarities, but find it odd that no one has mentioned a quite extensive repertoire of illustrated children's literature. Plus the signature's though similar differ in that the illustrations have, 'Ike' and paintings full 'Ikeda'. 

Maiko Matsum

"Today I'm Going to Sleep" by Maiko Matsum a new edition published 12 years after it's first self published edition. It is such a gentle beautiful book, and perfect for the beginning of winter, oh to be able to hibernate.

Miroco Machiko XII

 

Miroco Machiko 'Dokurujin' published 2019, I wanted something loud today illustrations that go wham! and the wren/ fish above is just great. 

Fumi Yanagimoto

 

'Hello Cat' by Japanese printmaker Fumi Yanagimoto and many other tender moments of people and animals.

Murayama Tomoyoshi

A late post today and the start of some vintage treasures, 'Mr. Duck and Mr. Chicken' by Murayama Tomoyoshi (1948), beautifully surreal anthropomorphism.

Miki (Milky Water Colour)

 

Wonderful soft illustrations  by Miki, with fabulous characterisation of all the elements especially the trees below.

Narumi Sasaki

 

Narumi Sasaki combines abstract paint compositions with fused glass and ceramic elements to create minature environments.

Jun Tsunoda

Inspired by clouds and mountains the tutti fruity coloured abstracts of  Tokyo based artist Jun Tsunoda.

 

Hiroko Yamaguchi

 There is such charm to the work of Hiroko Yamaguchi, I had to share it and so much joy of spring in all her depictions of bulbs.