Abstract

In Japan, there are picture books that have been selling well for over half a century, and at the same time there are about 1,000 new picture books published each year. The author, a picture book expert who has long been writing about 300 book reviews a year for magazines and other media in this “picture book nation,” presents in chronological order her selection of 100 picture books by 100 illustrators, published in the 100 or so years from 1912 to 2014. This fascinating volume conveys the beauty and magic of Japan’s picture books.

Author’s Information

After working as an editor, children’s book collection supervisor, and curator of the Chihiro Art Museum, Hiromatsu became a freelance picture book critic, writer, translator and exhibition planner. She has participated as an international juror in events such as the Bologna Children’s Book Fair, the Biennial of Illustration Bratislava (BIB) and the Nami Concours. At BIB 2017 she was the first Japanese ever to serve as the event’s international jury chairperson. She currently contributes article series on picture books to newspapers and magazines, including the selection of books for Asahi newspaper’s “Children’s Bookshelf.” Hiromatsu is a part-time lecturer at Rikkyo University, Musashino University and Yokohama University of Art and Design, and vice-president of the Japanese Board on Books for Young People (JBBY). Since 2020 she has been co-director of 83gocco, a picture book and restaurant space in Ichigaya, Shinjuku-ku (Tokyo). She has written and translated numerous books and articles.