Japan
(Romanization according to the
international Hepburn norms)
1
Arai, Ryoji (text/illus.)
Taiyo orugan (A sound of Taiyo-Organ)
Tokyo : Aton, 2007. – [34] p.
ISBN 978-4-86193-084-3
Sun
– Moon – Omnibus – Journey – Zest for life
»Sun-organ, sun-organ...«, with this rhythmic singsong, the elephant bus sets
off on a long voyage with no specific goal in mind. The golden light of the
sun, which plays majestically on its small organ, radiates in the sky. In high
spirits, the bus drives over hills, through tunnels and cities, crosses
bridges and seas, and allows the observers to freely join the crew at their
leisure. Depending on the time of day, the bus is accompanied by the sun or
the moon, sometimes also by a rainstorm, lightning, or thunder. Ryoji Arai
lets his fantasies run free and sets exotic and familiar buildings, plants,
and animals, resembling children’s drawings, against an abstract backdrop.
Spontaneity, brilliant colours, and diverse, playful pictures are
characteristic for his unconventional visual language and express the
colourfulness of the world and zest for life. (3+)
2
Awa, Naoko (text)
Dekune, Iku (illus.)
Yama no Tantara basan
(The
old Ms. Tantara on the mountain)
Tokyo : Shogakukan, 2006. – 62 p.
ISBN 978-4-09-726101-8
Old
woman – Magic – Nature – Spring –
Forest
animals
Ms. Tantara has extraordinary powers. She can help the forest animals with her
herbs and fulfil their wishes. She summons the wind from above the snow-capped
mountain where buds blossom in great abundance. Spring arrives and she changes
her old kimono for a new dress, with which she can fly. She has woven the
dress herself, out of grass and flower blossoms. The essential elements of
Awa’s artistic fairy tale – the characters, storylines, and the descriptive
style – and the protagonist, a mix between sorceress, fairy, and benevolent
mountain-witch, are at the same time European and Japanese. One of the
distinctive features of the text is also the keen sense of nature, which is
bound to a poetic imaginativeness. Iku Dekune has succeeded in reproducing the
uniqueness of the fairy tale in her own visual language. (5+)
3
Hasumi, Haruo (text)
Hingan (idea/illus.)
Arohan to hitsuji : Mongoru no kumo no monogatari (Arohan and her sheep : the
story of the clouds
in Mongolia)
Tokyo : Kogumasha, 2007. – 40 p.
ISBN 978-4-7721-0185-1
Mongolia (Chinese province) – Nomad – Sheep – Death – Mourning – Vitality
On the steppe, the girl Arohan finds a newborn lamb, which has been deserted
by its mother. She accepts it as her own and names it Hongoru. They both
become heartfelt friends. The years pass. Arohan marries and is happy until,
one day, a violent and sudden snowstorm kills countless animals, including
Hongoru along with almost all of her lambs. Affected by the cruelty of fate,
Arohan begins to long for her happy childhood with Hongoru. The clouds, one of
which resembles Hongoru, give the mourner comfort and renewed vitality. Inner
Mongolia is the homeland of the artist Hingan. With his black-and-white ink
drawings, some of which are coloured, he authentically conveys the nomads’ way
of life and renders the grasslands, clouds, wind, and snow in a direct manner.
The text is based on a poem from the artist’s youth, which has been
transformed into a beautiful narrative by Haruo Hasumi, an expert in Mongolian
literature. (6+)
H u
4
Ibaragi, Noriko (text)
Yamauchi, Fujie (illus.)
Kai no ko Puchikyu
(The sea shell child Puchikyu)
Tokyo : Fukuinkan Shoten, 2006. – [42] p.
(Nihon kessaku ehon shirizu)
ISBN 978-4-8340-2143-1
Sea
– Shell – Law of nature – Universe
One of the most representative ambassadors of Japanese poetry after 1945,
Noriko Ibaragi, examines here the law of nature that all living creatures have
a limited lifespan. The protagonist of this picture book is a lonely young sea
shell child, who slumbers on the bottom of the sea, until, one day, he dares
to take an adventurous journey to get to know the most beautiful things in the
world and finally loses his life to a crab. No one learns of his death. All
that is left of him is his shell, which has been washed up by the waves under
a star-studded sky, shining unaltered for eternity. Fujie Yamauchi interprets
the underwater world and the existential question in his highly poetic images,
which are reminiscent of the woodblock prints from the famous »Shell Book« by
Kitagawa Utamaro (1789). Thematically and artistically, this is an
unconventional large-format picture book for children and adults alike.
(6+)
5
Imamori, Mitsuhiko (text/illus.)
Mushi no AIUEO : kirie to kotoba (The A-I-U-E-O of insects : silhouettes
and words)
Tokyo : Doshinsha, 2006. – [96] p.
ISBN 978-4-494-01091-2
Alphabet – Insects – Haiku
The multiple award-winning photographer and author Mitsuhiko Imamori, whose
brilliant publications on ecological topics have also appeared outside of
Japan, surprises us this time with a completely different side of his
creativity. The most varied of insects are precisely and succinctly portrayed
in silhouettes – a favourite activity from his childhood – and are arranged in
Japanese alphabetical sequence according to their species. The texts, most of
which are written in the form of Haiku poems, tie in with the qualities of
the respective insects. Thanks to the great technical knowledge of the author
and his playful way with the language, an extraordinary, artistic ABC-book
about the insect world has emerged. (7+)
6
Imoto, Yoko (text/illus.)
Takenoko nyokinyoki (The bamboo shoots grow higher and higher)
Tokyo : Shikosha, 2006. – [20] p.
(Shikosha bukku kurabu kokusaiban ehon)
no ISBN
Mole
– Excursion – Bamboo – Plant growth – Hat – Disappearance
Three small young moles go on an excursion to the bamboo mountain. Protected
from the sunlight by their straw hats, they walk along merrily until they
become tired and settle down to eat. They fall asleep among the bamboo shoots.
When they awaken, they discover that their hats, which they had laid down on
the ground, are no longer to be seen. In bewilderment they fetch their parents
to come and help them look for their lost hats. The illustrator Yoko Imoto is
known for her special collage technique with Japanese paper, which she finely
tears and reassembles into pictorial elements and scenes. For this comical
story, she effectively makes use of the characteristics of the bam-boo that is
quickly growing toward heaven. The picture book, which also includes puzzle
and pop-up pictures, offers children different possibilities to play on their
own or with adults. (2+)
7
Kashiwaba, Sachiko (text)
Sasameya, Yuki (illus.)
Botansan no fushigina mainichi (The wondrous days of Ms. Peony)
Tokyo : Akane Shobo, 2006. – 174 p.
(Akane bukku raiburari; 12)
ISBN 978-4-251-04192-0
Family – Ghost – Life cycle – Compassion – Benevolence – Everyday life
Set in a traditional Japanese thermal-bath resort, nine original
tragic-comedic stories unfold around Ms. Peony’s family. After they move into
an empty hotel, the family discover that a brave ghost by the name of Snow
Willow already lives there. At first, the family is shocked, but then accepts
the idea of living together with the unusual house-mate. Everyday life
becomes more and more exciting as the family comes into contact with locals,
hotel guests, and even more ghosts. Strange phenomena occur, which make sad
children and gloomy adults happy, such as the silent cherry blossom festival
celebrated by the deceased who once lived in the resort. The author pleads for
human charity and a sense of security to make life familiar and worth living.
(12+) (Sankei Award for Children’s Books & Publications; 2007)
8
Kimishima, Hisako (text)
Ono, Kaoru (illus.)
Tennyo no satogaeri : Chugoku no mukashibanashi
(The homeland visit of the woman of the sky : a Chinese folk tale)
Tokyo : Iwanami Shoten, 2007. – [38] p.
ISBN 978-4-00-111203-0
Folk
tale –
Fairy –
Fisherman – Marriage ceremony – Task – Solution
The European fairytale type »The woman, who helps her groom to escape« is also
common in Asia. The expert on Chinese folk stories Hisako Kimishima creates a
version of this, which the village elder of the Miao people in China relayed
to her. A fisherman hides the fans made of swan-feather belonging to a woman
of the sky. Thus deterred from flying back, she marries him. Years later, she
finds the hidden fans again. Thereupon, she visits her father who imposes
unsolvable challenges on the fisherman in order to punish and destroy him.
However, thanks to the help of his fairy-wife of the sky, he is able to solve
them. Back on earth, they both lead a happy life together. Kaoru Ono
illustrated the eventful folk tale in her own artistic style, diversified and
appropriate for children, using watercolours, pencil crayon, pastel, and ink.
(7+)
9
Nagita, Keiko
Renetto : kiniro no ringo
(Reinette : the golden apples)
Tokyo : Kin no hoshisha, 2006. – 175 p.
ISBN 978-4-323-06323-2
Child – Death – Mourning – Family conflict – Chernobyl – Nuclear accident
Following her brother’s fatal accident, Mika’s hitherto intact family life
collapses. Her mother, who indirectly blames the father, becomes depressive.
To alleviate their mourning but also out of sympathy for the radiation victims
of Chernobyl, the family invites a young boy from Belarus to recuperate, whom
everyone becomes fond of. Once this happy time ends, the double loss afflicts
the mother anew. In order to forget everything, she leaves the house with
Mika. Many years pass until the family reconciles. The novel was created in
the context of the Chernobyl Children’s Fund, a Japanese citizens’ initiative.
The author vividly portrays the consequences of the loss of a child for a
family and at the same time appeals for reconciliation and hope. (12+)
10
Nakao, Kenji (text)
Nishimura, Shigeo (illus.)
Ehon Mohitotsu no Nihon no rekishi (The picture book of Japan’s other history)
Osaka : Kaiho Shuppansha, 2007. – 40 p.
(Eru Kurabu)
ISBN 978-4-7592-4303-1
Japan/History – Minority – Discrimination – Human rights
Within Japanese society, there have always been various marginalised groups,
without whose existence the culture and tradition of the country would be
unthinkable. These castes, which have been excluded from society since
antiquity, included people from certain backgrounds and despised trades; for
example, those who worked with leather and iron. These castes lived in ghettos
outside of the cities or villages. Nomadic musicians, singers, or monks also
belonged to these groups. This picture book gives a bird’s eye view of these
underprivileged people and their occupations from ancient times to the
present, whose status gradually improved thanks to human rights movements.
This is a very informative read, which stimulates the reader to reflect.
(11+) u
11
Ochi, Noriko (text)
Sawada, Toshiki (illus.)
Pirika, okasan eno tabi (Pirika, the journey to the mother)
Tokyo : Fukuinkan Shoten, 2006. – 50 p.
(Nihon kessaku ehon shirizu)
ISBN 978-4-8340-2214-8
Salmon – Nature – Reproduction – Life cycle – Eastern philosophy
Pirika senses something within herself. Perhaps it is the memory of her
mother, whom she did not know, or a memory of something else that she
experienced at the beginning of her life. Triggered by the irresistible
yearning to rediscover the remembered, she undertakes a long, arduous
journey. Using the example of a maturing animal ready to spawn, this book
insightfully depicts the life of the salmon. It connects young readers first
with the fish protagonist, then to the subject area, thereby demonstrating the
value of animals’ lives. The behaviour of the salmon, which travel in schools
in the ocean and in bodies of flowing water, as well as the landscape are
impressively portrayed in picturesque images. New life emerges from the
thousands of fish eggs; Pirika, however, dies after spawning and definitively
returns to the earth and to the water.
(5+)
12
Ozawa, Toshio (adapt.)
Kanaida, Etsuko (illus.)
Sanmai no ofuda : Nihon mukashibanashi
(The three talismans : a Japanese folktale)
Tokyo : Kumon Shuppan, 2007. – [38] p.
ISBN 978-4-7743-1181-4
Folk
tale – Novice – Demon – Talisman – Cunning – Survival
Using a special graphic printing technique, Etsuko Kanaida strikingly casts a
variety of well-known folk tales about the mountain witch Yamanba into
pictures. The illustrative concept and book design agree perfectly in every
detail and offer an artistic experience. The story of the seminarian who used
his intelligence and the help of a magic amulet to escape the cannibalistic
old she-demon, is faithfully transposed into intense and highly contrastive
images. Dark brown tones dominate the individual scenes in the temple square,
in the mountain hut, at the river, on the sand-mountain, and so forth.
Interacting with the succinct, articulate text, the gripping pictures
captivate the reader. (5+) u
13
Takahashi, Hideo (text)
Miyamoto, Tadao (illus.)
Tochan (Dad)
Tokyo : Komine Shoten, 2006. – 207 p.
(Bungaku no sanpomichi)
ISBN 978-4-338-22402-4
Son
– Stepfather – Family – Poverty – Country life
After his children’s book »Jichan no iru iroribata« (At the Fireplace with
Grandpa, 2006), in which he draws attention to the position of the elderly
generation within the family, Hideo Takahashi now takes on the topic of a
difficult but gradually growing relationship between a boy and his stepfather.
Ten-year-old Yoshio hesitates to address his mother’s new husband, whom he
knew before as a door-to-door salesman, as »Dad«. The stepfather is discreet,
but through his industrious and confident way, he supports the family. With
time, Yoshio learns to appreciate him, and in the end is even proud of him.
The author depicts the personality of the protagonist and the father-son
relationship in the utmost subtle way. The realistic portrayal of the everyday
life of country folk, shaped by poverty, in 1950s Japan is masterful.
(11+)
14
Uehashi, Nahoko
Kemono no soja
(The beast player)
2 volumes
Tokyo : Kodansha, 2006. – 319 p. + 414 p.
ISBN 978-4-06-213700-3 / 213701-0
Kingdom – Loyalty – Intrigue – Honesty
Erin’s mother, the keeper of the grand duke’s giant fighting snakes, is
executed, forcing Erin to flee. She eventually reaches the region of the
queen, who keeps giant birds of prey as a symbol of her divine power. Erin
loves these wild animals and learns their ways in the royal menagerie. There,
contrary to the usual methods, she lovingly tames a young raptor, thereby
coming into conflict with authority; something she does again, and more so,
when the grand duke and other conspirators revolt against the injustices of
the kingdom. Nahoko Uehashi, a leading author of Japanese fantasy literature,
has successfully produced a dynamic story with staggering martial scenes. The
conflicts between state and individual, the ideal and reality, contempt and
abuse of loyalty, also reflect our own times. (12+)
15
Uehashi, Nahoko (text)
Futaki, Makiko (illus.)
Ten to chi no moribito
(Guardian of heaven and earth)
3 volumes
Tokyo : Kaiseisha, 2006/2007. – 348 p., 308 p., 364 p.
(Wandarando; 32, 33, 34)
ISBN 978-4-03-540320-3 / 540330-2 / 540340-1
Bodyguard – Prince – Magician – Power struggle – Fantasy world – Spirit –
Natural disaster
With this trilogy, the multiple prize-winning, ten-volume »Moribito« series
comes to an end. The setting of this grandiose work spans four fictional
empires with different political systems and cultures. In the centre stands
the bold bodyguard Balsa, who protects the prince of the mythical empire from
the danger of an invasion. The author and cultural anthropologist Nahoko
Uehashi ingeniously and enthrallingly assembles ambition, intrigue, diplomacy
of peace, the relationship between ruler and people, as well as the mythical
beings connected to nature. At the same time, the detailed depiction of the
way of life of the individual peoples is no less impressive. The first volume,
»Guardian of the Sacred Spirit«, is already well known in several other
countries through its anime and manga adaptations. (12+)
16
Wettasinghe, Sybil (text/illus.)
Inokuma, Yoko (transl.)
Kasadorobo (The umbrella thief)
Tokyo : Tokuma Shoten, 2007. – [26] p.
ISBN 978-4-19-862337-1
Sri
Lanka – Village
– Man
– Parasol
– Disappearance
– Monkey
Back when the people out in the country didn’t know of parasols or umbrellas,
a village man arrives in the city and, for the first time, sees people with
parasols, which are as beautiful as flowers and greatly practical. Fascinated,
he buys one. However, pride and joy don’t last long, because, hardly back
home, his parasol disappears. Each time he buys a new parasol or umbrella, the
same thing happens, until he discovers that a little monkey has hidden them in
a tree. With all the resurfaced parasols and umbrellas, the villager can open
a store and is not at all angry with the little thief. After many years, due
to its quality and tremendous popularity, this humorous, endearing picture
book has finally been reissued. In her folkloric pictures, the Sri Lankan-born
artist lively demonstrates the people and their tropical habitat. (3+)
17
Yazuki, Michiko
Shizukana hibi (Quiet days)
Tokyo : Kodansha, 2006. – 268 p.
ISBN 978-4-06-213587-0
Grandchild – Grandfather – Friendship – Growing up – Childhood memories
Quiet days – this is how the grown-up first-person narrator describes his
life, which up until now has been uneventful. Nonetheless, or precisely for
this reason, he fondly remembers those times when he was eleven and lived
with his grandfather, apart from his mother, who, after the death of his
father, had discovered a new meaning of life in esoteric practice. From his
grandfather, he received the certainty and the feeling of security, essential
for children. Drawing on these happy childhood memories, of which he is proud,
he looks calmly and confidently into the future. In her novel, carried by a
calm, melancholy keynote, Michiko Yazuki captures the memories of the
protagonist in beautiful, expressive pictures. (15+) (Noma Award for Juvenile
Literature; 2007)