Jakuchu's Lost Elephant (New Story Masterpiece Series)

[Hakugadō's "New Storytelling Masterpiece Series"] The "Storytelling Masterpiece Series" was born from the desire to "create an environment where children can easily experience genuine art." This picture book collection features large, vividly colored illustrations that trace the lives of artists through easy-to-understand text alongside famous paintings. Since its first publication in 1992, it has been enjoyed by many families as an "art experience that can be enjoyed at home." Experts in child education have also given it high praise, stating, "It is important for children to know the real thing. By exposing them to good pictures from a young age, it will help to nurture children's sensibilities." From Volume 21 onwards, while maintaining the spirit of "Storytelling Masterpieces," the number of pages has been reduced to around 30, and the series has been redesigned as the "New Storytelling Masterpiece Series." It is a selected book by the Japan Library Association/National School Library Association and is recommended in school textbooks.

Series Introduction Page: https://www.hakugado.co.jp

Series Introduction Blog: https://www.hakugado.co.jp/%e3%83%96%e3%83%ad%e3%82%b0

[Recommendation from Takashi Yanase] I was a child who loved drawing, so from a young age I grew up looking at art encyclopedias in my father's study. However, those were all for adults, so I couldn't understand the explanatory texts. I wanted to know more about the artist's personality. I wanted to know what kind of person painted this picture, but the technical details were difficult to understand. This "Storytelling Masterpiece Series" has a large format and vivid illustrations, making it enjoyable not only for children but also for adults, and I think it triples the fun and enjoyment of looking at the pictures.

Volume 22: "Jakuchu's Lost Elephant" (B4 modified size, 32 full-color pages) Ito Jakuchu was a great painter born in Kyoto during the Edo period who continued to pursue new painting techniques until his death at the age of 85. The "Elephant and Whale Screen" used on the cover of this book is a massive piece, measuring 1.6 meters in height and 3.54 meters in width. Its whereabouts and activities were unknown until it was exhibited in a museum in the autumn of 2009. While marveling at his stunningly vibrant flower and bird paintings and the remarkably innovative and gigantic elephant and whale screen painting, which seems unbelievable considering it was painted over 200 years ago, this book delves into the mysterious life of Ito Jakuchu. Adults and children alike can fully enjoy the world of Jakuchu with this single volume.