It’s the year-end and New Year holidays that have been renovated from the 2024 schedule book. I have renovated it to incorporate the techniques we learned in 2023. It also serves as a practice to master the use of my new partner, the foil stamping machine.
I’ve gotten used to making the German version, which I had a series of failures with. I think it’s better to use durable leather for the back and cloth for the cover. What happens if it’s the other way around? I will make it, use it, and try it out.
角は革を漉いて菊寄せ。 昨年習った技術の復習です。
The horns are made of leather and kikuyose. I will review the techniques we learned last year.
スピンは元からついていたものを再利用。 花布は箔押しの色に合わせました。
Spin reuses the original one. The headband matches the color of the foil stamping.
The back is made of indigo leaf-dyed cotton cloth. Hand-dyed by my friend, the artist Keshiki. Indigo fades quickly, so I will experiment with that as well. This is a practice of stamping the foil straight down the center of the back.
The year 2024 began with a disaster. I wanted to be able to repair books, so I knocked on the door of my current bookbinding class. Industrial bookbinding technology is wonderful because it is inexpensive and can be quickly supplied in large quantities. However, a book that is out of print or a book of memories cannot be replaced. I believe that hand-binding allows me to respond to each person, one book at a time. I want to solidify the foundation for this and build upon it.
A lot of people came to the pre-opening of the bookbinding cafe the other day. I sincerely thank you.
先日は製本カフェ試食会に、予想以上の方にお越しいただきました。 本当にありがとうございます。
I exhibited bookbinding tools. 製本道具を展示しました。
A bookbinding cafe is a cafe for making books. It is a cafe as an entrance for those who are interested in books. I also sell bound albums, notebooks and stationery. The cafe offers cheesecake, coffee, tea and apple juice.
These are notebooks to be sold and half-finished. 販売予定のノートと作りかけのノート。Past productions. 過去に作った物。On this day, we also made it possible to experience calligraphy. この日はカリグラフィー体験もできるようにしました。
I will open once a month from this month. Well, here’s the announcement of the 1th opening day.
Date and time ▶︎ Sunday, March 26, 11:00-18:00 Location ▶︎ kitorasu, inside the former Yame-gun government office 2-105 Honmachi, Yame City, Fukuoka Prefecture 834-0031
I hope it will be a time to read a book slowly and open a notebook quietly. ゆっくりと本を読んだり、静かに手帳を開いたりする時間となりますように。
This is a cheesecake that will be offered at a bookbinding cafe. 製本カフェで提供する予定のチーズケーキ。
It’s been a long time. It was a great experience for me to see and hear about bookbinding during my stay in Tokyo. After that, I was lucky enough to attend a bookbinding class in Fukuoka. Right now, I’m in the process of resolving questions that arise as the book is bound.
The ones I bound for practice last year. 昨年、練習に作ったもの。
Then I noticed a change in my senses and sensibilities. So far, I’ve opened a store at events and planned events with someone. My challenge this time is to try it myself. I still haven’t decided what I want to do or what kind of bookbinding I want to do. I want to clarify that.
Also, I’ve been getting more questions about bookbinding. There is also a purpose of a place to respond to it. I would be happy if you could familiarize yourself with bookbinding. Of course, you are welcome even if you are not interested in books or bookbinding. I want you to read quietly, be absent-minded, and relax.
Date: March 3rd 12:00-17:00 Location: kitorasu inside the former Yame-gun government office Cafe menu: Cheesecake and drink set only. 500 yen. ＊ Drinks are hot coffee, hot oolong tea, and cold apple juice. ＊ There is a possibility that you may have to wait for practice on this day. That’s why I have a service price.
Star. This place is a yoga studio and an atelier of artwork. The owner of this studio is Yogini and an artist. 星。 この場所はヨガスタジオでもあり、アートワークアトリエにもなります。 このスタジオのオーナーはヨギーニであり、アーティスト。
I have a lot of things I want to write, but take a break first, not in chronological order. 書きたいことは溜まっていますが、 時系列ではなく、先に休憩を。
A dictionary recommended by her. The typefaces of various old books have been collected. 彼女の推薦辞書。 様々な古い書物の書体が採取されています。
Take a look at her portfolio. Graphic design that looks at the mind and body adjusted by yoga. I was sleepy at the end of yoga. And during the last resting pose, I experienced a mysterious sleep. According to the teacher, it is proof that I was completely weakened. I felt like I was sleeping and awake. It was a sleep with clear thoughts. It was a feeling I had never experienced before, so I wanted to record it.
The photos this time were taken with an iPhone. I had a single-lens reflex camera, but I didn’t put it out. 今回の写真はiPhoneで撮影。 一眼カメラを持っていたのに出すこともなく。
Facebook informed me that I met her four years ago. It was just this season. In addition, I visited this atelier at this time of 2019. I feel like I’ve been connected to the present since three years ago.
This is 3 years ago. There are many driftwoods and dried plants in her atelier. At that time, it was difficult to relax. これは3年前。 彼女のアトリエには流木やドライになった植物がたくさんあるのです。 あの頃は、力を抜くのが難しかったなぁ。Whenever I go to her, I go to this restaurant with her. I am satisfied with the delicious meal that uses plenty of fresh ingredients. 彼女を訪ねると、いつも一緒にこのレストランへ。 新鮮な食材がふんだんに使われた美味しい食事、毎回満たされます。
I want to be a bookbinder in town. I am thinking of receiving an order to manufacture a book that is not suitable for mass production. I would like to receive an order for repairing books that are not cultural properties. I want to sell notebooks and make custom-made books. I’m very happy if you think that a town with a bookbinder is nice. I’ve been rushing until now, but it was an event that made me feel that I needed to get a little tidy toward my goal. Because there is no limit to bookbinding. What the world needs is not perfect binding. It is important to have good binding that is affordable and easy to use on a daily basis. Do not you think so?
Flat surface with no irregularities. Right angle. If I say so myself, it’s good. 凸凹のない平坦な表面。 直角の角。 我ながら上出来です。
Another purpose of my stay in Tokyo is to study bookbinding and calligraphy. I received a workshop by Yonne, who I had been following on Instagram for a long time. It’s my first time to meet face to face. I am excited at the thought of seeing her.
Books inside the case are free as long as they are within the specified size. I made a case of two books bound by myself. 規定サイズ内であれば、ケースの中に入れる本は自由です。 私は自分で製本した本2冊組のケースを作ります。
There are many types of Yonne’s workshops. It covers a wide range of fields, from thread binding, book structure, book repair, to box making. I wish I could receive it during my stay in Tokyo. Fortunately, I had a seat at the slip case making workshop, so I applied immediately.
One of the problems with my bookbinding was cutting cardboard. I couldn’t cut the cross section straight. This time, this problem has been solved! The teacher gave me some tips. I succeeded in cutting out at a right angle!! The size of 3 sheets of cardboard is also perfect.
After cutting out the material, it is time to assemble. Check for size errors during the assembly process. Since the cardboard can be cut out accurately, a box with no unevenness can be created.
When the base is ready, I will put the cover on it. 下地ができたら、カバークロスを貼っていきます。
It was completed! 完成！！
The corners are also beautifully finished. 角も綺麗に仕上がりました。
The size of the book and case is also perfect. Not too big, not too small. According to the teacher, books will last much longer if they are put in a box. I was able to learn not only how to make a slip case, but also basic techniques and information on bookbinding. It was a very fulfilling workshop. Thank you, Yonne.
It is a notebook that I have been interested in since I saw it on the web. It is a notebook of Ggouya. webで見た時から気になっていたノート。 吾郷屋のノートです。
Girl eating something. 何かを食べる少女。
The amazing part of this note is the cover with the paper-cutting. The cut out paper is fitted into the paper. The title is a girl who eats something. このノートの驚くべき部分、それは切り絵が嵌め込まれた表紙です。 切り抜かれた紙が紙に嵌め込まれています。 この絵のタイトルは、何かを食べる少女。
According to Mr. Gogo, she is eating something like ”hamukatsu”. 吾郷氏によれば、少女が食べているのはハムカツみたいな物なんだとか。
Head band. Two colors are used to match the cover. 花切。 表紙に合わせた2色使い。
It is sewn firmly. しっかりと編んであります。
Two pens that are the buddies of this trip. Rosewood ballpoint pen, mechanical pencil. I want to be able to look good with something that I can love for a long time. この旅の相棒である2本の筆記具。 ローズウッドのボールペンとシャープペンシル。 永く愛せる良い品が似合うようになりたいもんです。
An elaborate and beautiful bookbinding notebook. I thought I couldn’t make this myself, so I really wanted it. A notebook to give to myself Sometimes this kind of shopping is also good. Well, what should I write? 本当に手の込んだ美しい製本。 これは自分では作れないと思い、どうしても欲しくなりました。 自分自身へ贈るノート。 たまにはこういう買い物も良いもんだ。 さて、何を書こうかな。
The front of the bookstore. Here is Bookstore / Seikatsu tsudurikata. 書店の正面。 こちらが本屋・生活綴方。
I visited Fumiko Iyori, who I met at an event in Hirokawa Town, Fukuoka Prefecture in December 2019. When I met her, I heard that the bookstore she was involved in was rare and interesting, and I was following SNS of the bookstore. The name of the bookstore is “Bookstore / Seikatsu tsudurikata“. Seikatsu means living. Tsuzurikata is Japanese with two meanings: writing a sentence and binding a book.
I arrived without hesitation using this appearance that I saw on SNS. I heard later that it was originally a bookstore for children’s books. The old signboard is left as it is.
Near the entrance is a corner of books published by Seikatsu tsudurikata. Only the top is Tara books. It was said that Mr. Nakaoka of Sanrinsha, who publishes the Japanese version of Tara books “Tsunami”, was involved in the launch of this bookstore. In 2019, the “Town Bookstore Renovation Project” was launched. Opened as Bookstore Seikatsu tsudurikata in 2020 as a result of a project started by a real estate agent, a publisher, and a bookstore in this town.
It seems that everyone in the town made this place, which was once a storeroom. Currently, there are about 60 people involved in this bookstore. Wow, awesome …
I was guided to the back of the store. お店の奥まで案内していただきました。
I noticed the sign on the door. ドアの上には気になる照明が。
This “on air”, yes! This bookstore broadcasts radio. It was broadcast at noon in 2021, and the record is left on YouTube. Click here → Honkota Radio Now they are livestreaming on Instagram at night. Click here for Instagram → Honkota Radio
Well, when I went to the back, it was the room of the Risograph printing machine. What I’m most interested in is the part related to a book production. There is a printing method that is neither a printing company nor a private printer!
Toner and color swatches are right next to the printing machine. 印刷機のすぐ側にはトナーと色見本。
It is a system that anyone can use the printing machine if you pay the usage fee, and after the first explanation of how to use it, you can print freely by yourself.
Furthermore, when I out from the back door, I saw this kind of scenery. Beans, barley, and vegetables grew this season. The potatoes were just planted, and Nozawana had flowers.
There is also a handmade water place. 手作りの水場もあります。
Sometimes a modeling class was held, and there was even a water place. This was also made by an architect in the town.
造形教室を開催されることもあり、水場までありました。 これも町の建築士さんが作ったのだそう。
The building taken from the back of the store and the field side. お店の裏、畑側から写した建物。
Inside this window is a tatami room with a kotatsu. Honkota Radio will be delivered from here. Sometimes it was a radio booth, and sometimes it was a bookbinding place. The air created by the many people involved and moving their hands is fascinating. It wasn’t special, it seemed to happen naturally.
This is the main store, Ishido Bookstore. こちらが本店の石堂書店。
The bookstore is diagonally opposite Bookstore Seikatsu tsudurikata. Ishido Bookstore is the main store of Seikatsu tsuzukukata. It deals with magazines, manga, practical books, etc. At the Seikatsu tsudurikata, literary books, Little Press, etc. were mainly selected. The books they have and the way they are operated are completely different, but both are the bookstores we need in our town.
The second floor of Ishido Bookstore is a shared coworking space, and its name is “the second floor of a bookstore.” On this day as well, there were users who were working. The room I was shown was a handmade interior with retro chairs lined up, and although it was a workplace, it had a relaxing atmosphere.
The lunch box I ate for lunch. Iyori and her friends also showed me around the shopping district. It was really fun! !! お昼ご飯に食べたお弁当。 伊従さん達が商店街も案内してくれました。 本当に楽しかった！！
And, actually, Iyori introduced me to a person who makes hand-made notebooks. Happy encounter! !! Thank you very much to Fumiko Iyori and the people of Myorenji. A sequel is likely to be born in this story. It will be the next opportunity.
MOTOYA Book Cafe Gallery at the “Book Lovers” venue. Before entering the venue, seeing this garage setting will make me feel good. 『Book Lovers』会場のMOTOYA Book Cafe Gallery 。 会場に入る前、このガレージの様子を見て気分が昂まります。
It’s April. I have been staying in Tokyo since late March. After moving to Tokyo, I started by going to the book art exhibition “Book Lovers” that I am exhibiting.
The appearance of MOTOYA Book Cafe Gallery. MOTOYA Book Cafe Galleryの外観。
MOTOYA Book Cafe Gallery is a book cafe gallery located in a quiet residential area of Shibuya-ku, Tokyo. It’s a bookstore, a cafe, a gallery, and sometimes workshops. There was also a fairly specialized bookbinding workshop, which made me very eager to learn.
MOTOYA Book Cafe Gallery は東京都渋谷区の閑静な住宅街にある ブックカフェギャラリーです。 本屋であり、カフェであり、ギャラリーで、時にはワークショップも催されています。 かなり専門的な製本のワークショップもあり、受講したくてうずうずしました。
entrance. A wooden door painted in blue gray, which is the color of the shop 入口。 お店の色である、ブルーグレーに塗られた木のドア。
Exhibitions and advanced workshops are held by the owner, but There is no formal atmosphere at all. The owner, Motoya, wanted the customer to spend his time as if he were at home, so she chose a house and renovated it into a book cafe.
Of course, books were lined up in the store. There are many foreign books on art. もちろん店内には本が並んでいました。 美術系の洋書が多く見られます。One of the exhibiting artists is reading the book. I was happy to get permission to shoot. 本を読んであるのは出展作家のお一人。 快く撮影許可をいただきました。
It is a state of the exhibition of “Book Lovers”. This day was the last day, and many exhibiting artists were in the hall. At this exhibition, you can pick up and read all the works. You can even touch works that are not for sale. The book is read. The page is turned.
Shop cards and DM are placed. The windows are frosted glass. It’s bright and you can see the flowers, but the line of sight from the outside is blocked. I feel the owner’s awareness so that the customers can concentrate and enjoy the work. ショップカード、DMコーナー。 窓は曇りガラス。 明るくて、お花も見えるのに、外からの視線は程よく遮ってくれる安心感。 集中して作品を楽しめるためのオーナーさんの気づかいを感じます。
This “Book Lovers” was held for the 6th time this year. Some of you have been attending this event for many years and have a long history of bookbinding, and I asked them a lot of questions about bookbinding. Motoya and everyone else kindly answered. Thank you very much.
It was a Book exhibition that I would like to participate in again with a new work. This is a book cafe and gallery with many book-related projects, so I’m looking forward to it as a viewer.
I received a DM from the organizer. It is distributed to acquaintances in Fukuoka who are engaged in creative activities. Contact me if you want. 主催者からDMが届きました。 創作活動をしている福岡の知り合いに配っています。 欲しい方は私に連絡を、ぜひ。
I entered my work in an exhibition. The is exhibition called “Book Lovers”, which is an exhibition of book art. It will be held at MOTOYA Book Cafe Gallery in Tokyo. It will be held from March 2nd to March 27th. You can also see the work online during the period. There are many authors other than me, so you should be able to enjoy it. If you can, go to the gallery, if you’re far away, go to the website, and if you’re creating, join us next time.
展示会に出品しています。 それは ” Book Lovers ” というブックアートの展覧会です。 東京にあるMOTOYA Book Cafe Galleryにて開催されます。 開催期間は、3月2日−3月27日。 会期中はオンラインで作品を見ることができます。 私以外の作者がたくさん出品されているようですし、きっと楽しめるはずです。 可能な方は会場へ、遠方の方はwebサイトへ、 そして、もし、創作活動をしているのならば、次回はぜひ参加を！
I had released it 2019 may. However, there was an undisclosed special binding version. It’s a hardcover binding. This work needs paper knife to read. I had a craftsman make a bamboo paper knife for this book. It has the shape of a drop that can be used with both hands. This design also has meaning.
Title is printed by silk-screen same as softcover binding. Letters are intentionally blurred. タイトルはソフトカバー製本と同じくシルクスクリーン印刷です。 文字はわざと滲ませてあります。
The end paper was colored to match the photo. 見返しは写真にあわせて色付けしています。
Handmade paper for this book. Before the paper dries, it drops water and marks it. この本のために漉いてもらった特別な手漉き和紙。 落水紙といって、漉きたての紙に水を落とし痕をつけてもらいました。
The three end papers are Yame handmade Japanese paper. These also match the colors in the photo. It’s a very thin paper, and it’s a light color that you can see compared to white. 見返し紙3枚とも八女手漉き和紙です。 これも写真と色をあわせました。 とても薄い紙で、色も白と比べてわかるくらい淡いです。
This book is uncut. You will need a paper knife here. I planned to make a work using this structure. この本はアンカットです。 ここでペーパーナイフ登場。 アンカットを生かした本が作りたくて企画した作品です。
Double section. The keyword of this work is “2”. ダブルセクション。 この作品のキーワードは”2”。
The font used is Tsukushi typeface. I adopted the suggestion from the designer. This is a font that is particular about non-uniform Japanese shapes and spacing. And the point of this work is the emotions that attract each other. I imagine a relationship where the one and only two people fit perfectly. 使用フォントは筑紫書体。 デザイナーからの提案を採用しました。 これは均一ではない日本語の形とスペーシングにこだわったフォントです。 そして、この作品は二人の惹きあう感情がポイントです。 唯一無二の二人がぴたりと嵌る関係をイメージしています。
I use Japanese and English. Not a complete translation. Japanese and English have an auxiliary relationship. The layout of the letters also makes sense. 日本語と英語を使って表現しています。 完全な翻訳ではなく、双方が補助になっている部分があります。 文字のレイアウトにも意味を持たせています。
Strangely, it was exhibited in a work exhibition called Lovers. ” Love is a yearning to be one ” Ancient Greek philosopher Plato’s words. 奇しくも、Loversという展示への出品です。 ”愛とは一つになりたいという願いである” 古代ギリシャの哲学者プラトンは愛をそう説きました。
The second keyword is tears and drops. It expresses the sadness that two people who are attracted to each other cannot become one. They are just two people, and because they are two people, they can attract each other. Drops are tears of joy in finding a one-of-a-kind partner, love to pour, and tears of sadness that cannot be one. 二つ目のキーワードは”涙” ”雫”。 惹かれあう二人の一つになることができない切なさ。 二人はあくまでも二人であり、二人であるから惹きあうことができるという事実。 雫は、唯一無二の相手を見つけた喜びの涙であり、注ぐ愛情であり、一つになれない悲しみの涙です。
What is a book ? Spell the letter. Binding paper. It will be in the form of a book. The book we are looking for. What kind of book is it ?
The text in the frontispiece of “Tsuduru”‘s first issue. Fontworks‘s Kafu pen-style font is used. The word “tsuduru” has both meanings of writing sentences in a row and sewing paper for binding. It’s a word for making books. That is the origin of my shop name and the name of my publication. The design and DTP is creative works Grouper ( Yoko Futagami ) .
I wonder. Why do people want visual elements? Long before the word Mingei was born, we have been patterning earthenware. Not only the building, clothes and tableware, but also the serving of food is enjoyed by the eyes. What we are looking for is not only beauty, but also various kinds of pleasures such as coolness, cuteness, relaxation, and stimulation. In other words, we need more than just usability.
In my last blog, I mainly talked about concept setting and didn’t talk much about design. This time I would like to talk about the visual issue, design.
“Tsuduru” is a booklet that I edit and publish. I started making it for the purpose of popularizing a project that triggered the bookbinding. But when it comes to creating, “what is a book?” I was faced with the question. I can’t make it without answering this question. So I decided to put that question into shape. Since then, I have been publishing with the attitude of making books that I really want to make.
The first three book designs from Yoko Futagami. An image of calligraphy in the pink colored part. フタガミヨーコ氏からの最初の表紙デザイン3案。 ピンクに色付けされた部分にカリグラフィーが入るイメージ。
The cover of Volume 1 of “Tsuduru” expresses the etymology of the Chinese character 綴. The basic meaning is to connect disjointed things together. That is design A. It is the Chinese character of the radical that represents the thread. So, it has a special meaning of connecting with a thread. Plan B is a design that expresses the meaning of connecting with threads. In addition, the sound of Tsuduru’s “Tsudu” has the same roots as the Tsuduku’s( following , continue ) “Tsudu”. Both are words that describe disjointed things stick together and do not separate. From that meaning, design C represents the everyday life that continues.
All three were designed to express the etymology. But, all three have completely different designs. When you find something that suits your heart, it’s easy to decide. I chose design A at a glance. The first edition was 2017. I thought it was great at the time, but now that 2021 is nearing the end, I can finally talk about design. And I still fall in love with this design.
There were two conditions in the design of this book. One is to use handwritten calligraphy (not printing). The second is Japanese binding. The text inside is written vertically, so it is a book design with right binding. The binding thread pattern of the bookbinding is also considered as part of the design. Matching the content, binding, and design is also an issue of “Tsudurru”.
Encounter with Yoko Futagami from this book. From planning to publishing, she made zine “Irohani”. フタガミヨーコ氏と出会うきっかけになった一冊。 企画から出版まで彼女が作ったniche na zine 『いろはに』。
I was looking for a designer to make a booklet for the purpose of popularizing a project. I found her zine in my favorite bookstore. The name of the bookstore is taramu books & cafe. It’s a good bookstore, so I recommend checking it out. The owner introduced her to me. First of all, I was attracted to the design of the cover of this zine. A title logo that is not an existing font. Block pattern of watercolors. I felt that the color and the atmosphere of the typeface were in harmony.
“Irohani” frontispiece. The content is also very good. 『いろはに』の口絵。 表紙デザインはさることながら、内容もとても良かったのです。
The content of “Irohani” consisted mainly of interviews with local radio stations and electric companies. This issue is in the winter of 2016. It was the year when the electricity retail market was completely liberalized in Japan. And the opening of radio stations in this area is also in 2016. She interviewed herself about current affairs at the time and wrote an article carefully. The project I planned was aimed at supporting the reconstruction of the Kumamoto earthquake, so I asked her to interview the project. I thought her zine was good for making the project widely known. But unfortunately, this zine was the final volume. So, it was “Tsuduru” that she and I started together.
Advertisement for Kumamoto earthquake reconstruction support project, Nishiharamura fusuma arts & crafts project. This is described in Volume 1 of “Tsuduru”. Yoko Futagami is redesigning the advertisement I was making. Easy to read and well-balanced. This kind of sensibility is the ability of people who work in design. 熊本地震復興支援プロジェクト、西原村ふすまアート＆クラフト プロジェクトの広告。 これは『綴る』vol.1に載せています。 私が作っていたものを、フタガミヨーコ氏がデザインしなおしてくれました。 それにより、読みやすく、バランスも整いました。 こういった感性が、デザインを生業にしている人の能力だと思います。
In the final issue of “Irohani,” Yoko Futagami wrote an article about what she was really interested in and designed it as she wanted. The medium of zine clearly expresses the person who created it. I fell in love with the design and content. This is probably because our philosophies and sensibilities are in agreement with each other. Therefore, the communication in the production of “Tsuduru” was very good. Next time, I would like to talk about a typesetting.
