Koshiro Toda, a picture book writer who left behind many long-selling books with high design. What message did he really want to convey? The works that hold the answer will be exhibited at Ginza Morioka Shoten, which continues to attract attention as a bookstore and gallery.
・ From February 1st to 6th, 2022, an unknown "masterpiece picture book collection" by picture book writer Koshiro Toda will be exhibited at Ginza Morioka Shoten.
・ Koshiro Toda, who has been described as a “pioneer of educational picture books” by incorporating simple and beautiful designs into educational picture books, including his masterpiece “Aiue Oehon”. We will deliver the charm of a profound work that is completely different from other long-selling works, including original drawings.
・ The "human heart" drawn by the sharpened sentences of famous Japanese literary masters such as Osamu Dazai and Kenji Miyazawa and the powerful oil paintings of Koshiro Toda. Feel the timeless message that reaches your heart.
・ "The pioneer of educational picture books" An unknown work drawn by Koshiro Toda will be exhibited for the first time at Morioka Shoten.
Koshiro Toda (1931-2011) is said to be the "pioneer of educational picture books" by incorporating a fun and beautiful design that attracts adults to the world of educational picture books.
After working as a freelance designer, he published his first picture book "Aiueo Ehon" at the age of 51 and established Toda Design Laboratory Co., Ltd. Since then, he has produced 42 works, all of which have become long-selling products.
The first exhibition of "Koushiro Toda Masterpiece Picture Book Collection", which is said to be "Unknown work" by Koshiro Toda, will be held at Ginza Morioka Shoten.
— ■ Session: February 1st (Tuesday) to 6th (Sunday), 2021
■ Venue: Ginza Morioka Shoten [Suzuki Building 1st floor, 1-28-15 Ginza, Chuo-ku, Tokyo]
■ Corridor time: 13:00 to 19:00 (last day, 6th only until 18:00)
☆ From 19:00 on February 1st (Tuesday), an instagram of Morioka Shoten owner, Yoshiyuki Morioka and Toda Design Laboratory representative, Yasushi Toda will be delivered (time may change).
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During the exhibition, "Koshiro Toda Masterpiece Picture Book Collection", as well as his representative work "Aiue Oehon" and "Aiue Otsumiki" made with a woodworker in Gifu. We also sell art frames that are usually sold only at the Toda Koshiro Picture Book Museum (Atami City, Shizuoka Prefecture).
Koshiro Toda
[About Koshiro Toda]
Born in Obanazawa City, Yamagata Prefecture. His work is everything from city planning to store design and graphics.
At the age of 51, he turned from a designer to a picture book writer and established the Toda Design Laboratory. He released 42 works until his death at the age of 80, all of which became long-selling books.
In 1997, he opened the Toda Koshiro Picture Book Museum in Atami City, Shizuoka Prefecture, in order to convey the charm of the original paintings to many people.
"Aiueo Ehon", which designed everything from pictures to hiragana, has exceeded 1 million copies in total and is said to be the pioneer of Japanese educational picture books.
https://toda-design.com/
[About Morioka Shoten]
Opened in 2015 as "a bookstore with exhibitions inspired by a single book".
Attention is paid to the unique bookstore and gallery where the unique perspective of Yoshiyuki Morioka, the owner who has gained experience in the old bookstore in Kanda Jimbocho, Tokyo, and has a deep knowledge of various cultures centering on books, shines. I'm collecting.
https://www.instagram.com/moriokashoten/
You can also enjoy the contents related to this exhibition on the official website of Toda Design Laboratory.
https://toda-design-column.blogspot.com/2022/01/blog-post.html
・ What is "Toda Koshiro Masterpiece Picture Book Collection"?
Koshiro Toda Masterpiece Picture Book Collection
Kenji Miyazawa, Osamu Dazai, Mimei Ogawa, Hanaoka University. "Koshiro Toda Masterpiece Picture Book Collection" is a series of five books drawn by Koshiro Toda with powerful oil paintings of masterpieces of famous Japanese literary masters.
It has been called "Koushiro Toda's unknown work" because it has a profound and bold world, which is very different from the style that was popular with its vivid colors and adorable touch.
Each of the works in the masterpiece picture book collection depicts the "human heart."
Koshiro Toda responds to the compassion, justice and trust, deep mother's love, and sometimes the brushstrokes of a literary master who even reveals the humbleness of human beings, and the power is overwhelming.
・ A message that reaches your heart over time
From the image of a general picture book called fairy tale fantasy, "Koushiro Toda's masterpiece picture book collection" has a profound and inaccessible impression, but these five books are strong for children as well as adults. It has been described as having the power to deliver messages and the power to question the way of life of human beings over time.
A collection of picture books created by Koshiro Toda with all his heart, aiming for the reader's "blood and bone" work.
The original drawings will be on display during the exhibition, and you can see the handwriting up close. Please feel the whole message that one picture book writer wanted to convey at this opportunity.
[Koushiro Toda Masterpiece Picture Book Collection 5 Volumes]
・ "The Story of the Dragon" (December 1983): Written by Kenji Miyazawa ・ "The World's No. 1 Stone Tower" (September 1984): Written by Hanaoka University ・ "Running Melos" (December 1984): Written by Osamu Tadashi・ "Hyakka no Tsuru" (June 1985): Written by Hanaoka University ・ "Ushijo" (August 1988): Written by Miaki Ogawa
Please see the right for the details of the work. https://toda-design.com/?pid=106818786
・ What is Toda Design Laboratory?
A small company with a philosophy of designing a wide range of things and things, centering on picture books, cards, woodworking toys, etc., including works by Koshiro Toda, based on the philosophy of "enriching life with design".
He has produced many long-selling books, and his representative works include "Aiueo Ehon," "National Flag Picture Book," and "Ring Card Series."
In recent years, he has been engaged in manufacturing and collaboration that goes beyond the boundaries of publishing and educational activities, and has gained widespread support for his design and quality that attracts adults.
https://toda-design.com/