Images of Buddhist icons that fit the palm of your hand with soothing words that bring acceptance and relieve suffering.

This 96-page handy pocket-sized hardcover book is a collection of passages from Buddhist scripture, Japanese prayers and poetry concerning human affliction and suffering written by past generations. These passages are shown together with 46 images of Buddhist icons such as statues, clay molded reliefs decorated interiors of temples, miniature pagodas, pagoda-shaped reliquaries and woodblock prints. In this charming format, which fits in the palm of your hand, the images of small Buddhas, supplemented by the words of the Buddha and famous historical monks such as Kūkai and Saigyō, will relieve emotional suffering and give the reader peace of mind. It will heal those who are stressed, depressed, those who are grieving and anyone else who is searching for a ray of hope.

The artworks featured, including 10 works that are designated as important cultural properties, have been selected from the Nara National Museum and Tokyo National Museum. All scripts are translated into English, along with the description of the artworks at the end of the book (name, size, material, excavation location, etc.). Art direction is by Kazuya Takaoka, who has previously designed Hell in Japanese Art (P.33 9784756249234) and Wagashi (9784756249746). The introduction was written by Mutsuo Takahashi, who has written the text for Wagashi.

This will be an important reference book not just for people who want to be healed but also for Japanese art fans, students of Buddhism, antique collectors and gallery owners, as well.

Author: Kazuya Takaoka
Binding Type: Hardcover
Publisher: Pie International
Published: 09/03/2019
Pages: 96
Weight: 0.5lbs
Size: 7.50h x 5.10w x 0.70d
ISBN: 9784756251695

About the Author
Takaoka, Kazuya: - Born in 1945 in Kyoto. As an art director, Takaoka has overseen numerous graphic design and advertising projects. Among his published works are Sennen (A thousand years; Mainichi Shinbunsha) for which he won the Kodansha Publication Culture Award, Wagashi (PIE Books) for which he won the Gourmand Best Design Award, Yasai kara mita niku (Meet seen by vegetables; Parco Publishing), Women and AIDS, Q.O.L (both Nippon Foundation), and Katachi, Kingyo, Manyoshu, Noh (all PIE International), Japanese Dogs, Hyakunin Isshu, Pochibukuro (all PIE Books). He has staged events such as the video exhibition Kanata e (In the distance) and the AIDS Tokyo Exhibition. He is the recipient of the Gold Medal at the Japan Graphic Design Exhibition, the Prime Minister's Award at the All Japan Calendar Exhibition, and the ADC Award. He is a professor at Osaka University of the Arts.