Abstract

Chiki Kikuchi, recipient of the 2025 Yanase Takashi Cultural Award, presents a new silent picture book, a monumental 80-page work, 13 years after her previous work.

It depicts universal themes of life--encounters, loss, the future, life, and connections with friends--a work that resonates with people of all ages, from children to adults.

Originally published in 2013 as a limited edition of 500 copies, "Tsunagaru" (The Picture Book Company) tells the story of two monkeys' encounter and loss. Thirteen years later, it has been reborn as a work that depicts hope for the future. 80 pages without words. The story unfolds with alternating scenes of memories and the present, depicting encounters, loss, and new connections. The red figs placed against the monochrome pages vividly color the subtle nuances of the heart. In this work, Chiki Kikuchi also challenges herself with a new style, using a crayon-like drawing material made from solidified graphite. This is a heartfelt book by the author that will leave a lasting impression on each reader's heart, each with its own unique connection.

*Beautiful binding by Hideyuki Saito with foil stamping on the cover. Recommended as a gift for someone special.

One monkey lived a lonely life, teased by the other monkeys. One day, a red fig fruit leads him to an irreplaceable being with whom he can connect. He learns the joy of spending time together, and his days gradually change. And then, one day, a big change comes...

This silent picture book, without words, depicts the delicate fluctuations of the monkey's heart, moving back and forth between memories and the present. Kikuchi Chiki vividly portrays boundless love and the preciousness of living together.

Author’s Information

Born in Hokkaido in 1975, she is a picture book author. She debuted in 2012 with "Shiro Neko Kuro Neko" (Gakken), which won the Golden Apple Award at the Bratislava World Picture Book Illustration Exhibition. Her book "Momiji no Tegami" (Komine Shoten) won the Gold Medal at the same exhibition. "Shiro to Kuro" (Kodansha) won the Sankei Children's Publishing Culture Award Fuji Television Award, and "Ohisama Waratta" (JULA Publishing) and "Choucho Chocho" (Kaiseisha) won the Book Design and Binding Competition. In 2025, she will receive the Yanase Takashi Cultural Award.