The second in a series of photo books featuring flower arrangements by
URASAWA Mina, the representative of the popular Kyoto flower shop,
Pousse. All of the photos were taken specifically for this book. The
colorful flowers and playful arrangements will fascinate the readers’ heart.

TABATA Kihachi the Third (1877-1956) was the first textile-dyeing craftsman
designated as a Living National Treasure. He and TAKEUCHI Seiho (1864-1942;
one of the representative Japanese painters based in Kyoto) learned painting from
KONO Bairei (1844-1895) and TABATA later took over his father’s textile
dyeing business. This book collects together sketches that TABATA made while
he was studying painting under KONO. He observed plants and flowers with
great attention and carefully depicted them in exact detail. These sketches will be
perfect models for those who are studying painting and design.

A book featuring commercial printing materials between the late-Meiji
period (1868-1912) and mid- Showa period (1926-1989). What kind of
commercial approach did business people take with printed materials
in those days in order to target people of different ages, gender and
social status? Each chapter focuses on the varying commercial approach
depending on the targeted family structure. This wide variety of
commercial designs will make perfect examples for those who study design.

NINAGAWA Mika (1972- ) made her debut in Tokyo as a photographer in 1990s and has been actively
pursuing her work in a variety of exhibitions and publications. When her vivid and even violently
colored photographs are exhibited in the well-deliberated room, the setting becomes like a small theatre
that immediately grasps the viewers’ attention and emotions and makes them a big fan of her work.
She has held exhibitions both in small galleries and large museums, and all of her solo exhibitions have
attracted a large number of visitors. What attracts such a large number of fans to her photography?
One of the answers is that Ninagawa’s photography let one’s mind escape to another dimension and
makes one feel as if he or she were flowing in paradise. However, at the same time, a sweet dream also
includes dangerous poisons, like many excellent fantasies always involve the antithesis of pleasure and
fear. Ninagawa’s photography also expresses this “dual side.” This photo book collection, “TOKYO
INNOCENSE,” consists of many of this talented photographer’s work, showing the “Edge of Tokyo”
and “Extremes of Tokyo.” Tokyo is particularly unique in terms of its mixture of cultures where new
“hybrid” creations are continuously arising one after another, like a chain reaction. One representative
example is Cos-Play (dressing-up like anime characters) and Visual-kei (a style of disguising oneself
using varying levels of make-up, elaborate hair styles and flamboyant costumes). Both originated in
Tokyo and have been developed, or rather, been mutated to become another level of “Otaku” culture
(people with obsessive interests, commonly involved in anime and manga fandom). Today, they are no
longer “underground” but have been developed and accepted by and large in society via TV and Internet
as they are strongly connected to TV stars and pop culture. If there is a word to describe them, “Innocent
Playfulness” might be the one of the representative characteristics of Tokyo culture.

URASAWA Mina is the representative of the super popular flower shop
in Kyoto, Pousse. This book is full of images of her stunningly beautiful
flower arrangements. About 180 photos were newly taken only for this
book. Urasawa’s flower arrangements are very delicate and carefully
designed combinations of colors that create subtly complex gradations –
often called “Pousse Style”. Just looking at the photos in this book will
soothe readers’ moods and make them feel as if they just received a bunch
of wonderful flowers.

An art collection book featuring the work of TAKEUCHI Seiho (1864-
1942), one of the representative Japanese painters based in Kyoto. About
120 painting by TAKEUCHI, including his most recognized ones, are
introduced. Detailed instructions about his name seals on the paintings are
also included.

An art book featuring sketches by SHIBATA Zeshin (1807-1891) from the
collection of the University Art Museum, Tokyo University of the Arts.
One of the noteworthy pieces is the sketch for the huge woven tapestry
(about 230 square meters) that was applied to the ceiling of one of the
rooms in the imperial Meiji Palace (burnt down in 1945). Only the best
sketches of flowers and plants were selected from the 95 sketchbooks left
by SHIBATA.

A photo book collection featuring colorful seasonal flower arrangements by
Pousse, an extremely popular flower shop in Kyoto. URASAWA Mina, the
representative of Pousse, introduces her original flower arrangements and also
took the photos. One will notice that it worth taking focus not only the beauty
of her flower arrangements but also how she coordinates the flowers and other
items together. Easy techniques of flower arrangement, tips on how to display
flowers with some simple tools and an introduction to the types of flowers that
are purchased at the shop according to the season are also included.

A unique photo book featuring detailed structural designs of old Japanese
buildings in Kyoto, Nara, Shiga, Kamakura and other locations with
educational instructions. Delicate designs of decorative patterns are
introduced with colored photos. Drawings of some designs are also
included. The variety of traditional designs will inspire those who study
architecture as well as who are interested in design.

Shoso-in Repository in Nara preserves a number of historically valuable
treasures mainly from the 8th century. Special-appointment Professor
Chiyo Fujino at Nara Women’s University has carefully traced the
patterns of valuable treasures and colored them after thorough research
and consideration, and finally has succeeded in recreating them. These
ancient patterns make good design references and simply their elegance will
impress readers.

A book collection of sketches by one of the recognized Japanese
lacquerware artists based in Kyoto who lived from 1887 to 1973. Japanese
lacquer art is also known internationally as “japan.” As the name attests,
lacquer is one of the most exceptional traditional crafts of Japan and were
highly valued in Western countries. This lacquerware artist devoted his life
to perfecting his skills, especially, he made a great contribution in restoring
old lacquer wares. His delicate and precise sketches show how delicate and
precise he was in order to complete his lacquer works.

A photo book collection of plates, bowls and other wares formerly used
in the Imperial Palace in Kyoto for nearly 200 years since the mid-Edo
period (1603-1868). The elegant designs and decorative patterns reflect
the dignified aesthetics of the Imperial Palace. About 350 color photos of
wares are included. The variety of designs will inspire those who study
design.

A unique book collection depicting medicine packages produced between
the Meiji period (1868-1912) and around the mid-60s. Each nostalgic
package reflects the time and background in which the medicine was
produced. More than 1000 medicine packages are introduced divided by
their type and all originating from the author’s private collection. The
variety of package designs will inspire those who study design.

UEMURA Shoen (1875-1949) is one of the recognized Kyoto-based
Japanese painters known for her elegant paintings of women. This art
collection book includes about 100 paintings by UEMURA including some
of her representative works such as “Hana Gatami” and “Musume Miyuki.”
Her paintings are classified by time into three phases so that readers can
follow how her painting style developed as time passed. Details about the
techniques of her paintings of women are also included.

More than 1000 examples of designs used for labels, packages and
advertizing materials from the Meiji (1868-1912) to Showa (1926-1989)
period are introduced. Those created for cosmetics, medicines, beverages,
snacks, daily commodities and department store-related, unique designs
including some rare ones, will entertain readers as they follow the evolution
of commercial designs and also provide inspiration for those studying
design.

Two volumes collecting background pictures of the theatre animation
movie, “Welcome to the SPACE SHOW.” Kusanagi is a production
group that was in charge of the background pictures and about 450 of their
detailed background pictures are included in both volumes to draw readers
into the world of their animation. Several sketches are also included that
will give readers some ideas of how an animation movie is created.

Two volumes collecting background pictures of the theatre animation
movie, “Welcome to the SPACE SHOW.” Kusanagi is a production
group that was in charge of the background pictures and about 450 of their
detailed background pictures are included in both volumes to draw readers
into the world of their animation. Several sketches are also included that
will give readers some ideas of how an animation movie is created.