大道兄弟『My name is My name is...』       Book Design：大道兄弟   発行：桜の花本舗 × 赤々舎   Size： H252mm × W227mm   Page：64 pages（52 images）   Binding：Hardcover   Published in March 2024    ISBN：978-4-86541-180-5	¥ 4,000＋tax  国内送料無料！ 【国内／Domestic Shipping】  お支払い方法は、PayPal、PayPay、Paidy 銀行振込、郵便振替、クレジットカード支払いよりお選び頂けます。 【海外／International Shipping】 ＊ Please choose your area from the two below    　　　 Book + Asia shipping ¥6,500 JPY Book + World shipping ¥8,200 JPY

My name is My name is...  

DAIDO Brothers 

A picture is worth a thousand words" makes total sense when encountering Yuki and Koki Daido's photographs.

Twins, Osaka native and at 26 years of age, they can be found roaming the streets of Osaka discreetly taking photos during their spare time.

Social media today has transformed photography from what was once the preserve of the highly trained professional into a "photographic democracy", affording the potential for all citizens with a smartphone to hand to call themselves "Photographer".

The twin's documentary photography casts a cool, empathetic eye over what might be consid- ered the trite, banal and mundane.

Their dispassionate gaze illicits a gamut of emotions in turn humor, meloncholy and irony, they draw us into a potentially romantic view of the rapidly disappearing scenes of Japanese society. What may be an eyesore to most, may well be a source of immense inspiration to others.

Their images certainly evoke emotion. It is no surprise they mainly shoot on film, their DIY ethos lending an urgent and compelling air to their world view. We are also drawn to their distinctive style and choice of subject. It far supercedes a need for technical prowess. So intent on creating a representation of their own world, not only do they take the photo- graphs, but painstakingly produce their own hand made, eminently collectible photographic books. Lucky are the few who manage to get their hands on one.

When asked what inspires their photography, Yuki replied "I don't know, but I am looking for something and I often shoot when my mind has wavered and I am upset by my own useless- ness, that's when I go out and shoot photographs".

Their dedication to their craft as a means to it's own end is a very rare pursuit in the face of relentless contemporary social media forces. How refreshing for us to see their work that clearly reflects the pure enjoyment of the process as fulfilling in and of itself. We very much look forward to seeing much more of their take on the world.

"SEARCHING FOR UTOPIA"

Words by D.K.H.

西田俊英『AURA』       Book Design：おおうちおさむ 山田彩純(nano/nano graphics)   発行：赤々舎   Size：H300mm x W230mm   Page：220 pages   Binding：Hardcover   Published in October 2023   ISBN：978-4-86541-176-8	¥ 7,000＋tax  国内送料無料！ 【国内／Domestic Shipping】  お支払い方法は、PayPal、PayPay、Paidy 銀行振込、郵便振替、クレジットカード支払いよりお選び頂けます。 【海外／International Shipping】 ＊ Please choose your area from the two below    　　　 Book + Asia shipping ¥11,550 JPY Book + World shipping ¥13,700 JPY

AURA

Shunei Nishida

This title "AURA" features the representative works of Japanese painter Shunei Nishida, who continues to paint while treading on a single path, along with his latest work based on the primeval forests of Yakushima Island.

Born near the pristine forests of Ise Grand Shrine and mentored by Togyu Okumura, his lodestar, and Hideo Shiode, an exemplar of the conscience of a painter, Nishida has been guided by everything in the natural world, from a single drop of clear water and the stars in the night sky to the microorganisms beneath fallen leaves. His deep connection to nature allows him to depict the spirituality and universality of the world, including the intangible and the fantastical, expressing the beauty of existence.

There was a period when Nishida, who had fallen into an artistic slump, and avoiding people, he secluded himself around Mt. Tanigawa to immerse himself in sketches. Up to then, Nishida had relied on his imagination for his paintings, but in this period, he recognized again the importance of realistic representation. 

Nishida sketched everything he could think of -- landscapes, animals, people and so on -- awakening himself to their potential for art.

Since 2000, Nishida has contact with Japan's beautiful nature around Hiroshima and other areas in the Chugoku region and to attempt classical motifs such as cranes and cherry blossoms in his paintings. He also tried creating his own new style of bird-and-flower painting.

In 2022, he moved to Yakushima Island for a year, aspiring to create a 70-meter-long masterpiece that delves into the island's history, the cycle of life, and the impacts of logging and development on the pristine forests. A work in progress titled "The Phoenix" reflects everything in the environment, with a meticulous and free brush, and it questions the relationship between nature and humans.

Praying is painting - this book is a culmination of the artist history and view of the work world, where they resonate with each other.

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My mother was forever overworked. She spent her entire life only working without respite. For me, growing up seeing my mother work like that, I think of painting itself as work. Painting is often demanding but I believe that is what working is. If I murmur that I want to take a rest, I then feel someone is telling me: "Well, in that case, give up being a painter." I have vowed that I will follow the same path as my mother. I should just do my job and work. I believe if I do so, someday I will be able to create a work that strikes the heart. Has it come? To you.

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My mentor, Hideo Shiode, said: "Personality is never about being different from others. It is just a matter of becoming yourself." His disciple, I have relied on those words and not tried to have a distinctive personality. I have come to believe that a personality unnaturally made is only bluster and without any value. Sensei! Have I become my true self? Having entered the later stage of my life, am I painting the pictures that are really me? My mentor also told me: "A painting is not created with a brush. It is not painted by your hand." "Well, then how do I paint?" I muttered to myself when I was young. I thought that I could create a masterpiece by myself if I bring to bear all my effort and talent. But before long, I found out that was not the case. I finally realized that a painting is only the expression of my true feelings and the catalyst that keeps me alive. "Don't forget your dreams and strive to learn," my mentor told me in the last years of his life, and I have lived my life cherishing those words. I really think painting is a difficult thing. I had no idea I would have to paint so much of what lies in my heart. That is precisely why I believe it is so valuable to continue putting into practice the lessons from my mentor.

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God dwells in every tree and blade of grass.

Nature lives on as it is.

Yet I feel that what is happening in our human society runs counter to what we desire. Our human-centered egotistic values....

We continue cutting down trees and destroying forests.

Isn't it more important for forests to continue to be forests?

What kind of paintings bring happiness to people?

There is still so much I don't know.

（Shunei Nishida）