Tale of a Castle Keep (天守物語 / Tenshu Monogatari) — Bilingual Illustrated Art Book
Tale of a Castle Keep is a bilingual illustrated edition of Kyoka Izumi's fantasy play Tenshu Monogatari, published by Editions Treville as part of the Pan-Exotica series to mark the play's centenary. The Japanese section is illustrated by Takato Yamamoto; the English section, in a translation by Don Kenny, is illustrated by Aquirax Uno (Akira Uno). This copy is signed inside the cover by Takato Yamamoto.
About the Book
The volume presents the complete text of Kyoka Izumi's play in two independent halves: the Japanese original occupies one orientation of the book, the English translation the other. Each half carries its own distinct illustration cycle, produced by a separate artist. The two readings share the same narrative — the strange love story between Tomihime, a beautiful youkai who rules a castle keep, and Nosuke, a young falconer — but diverge entirely in visual language and mood.
Kyoka Izumi (1873–1939) was a novelist and playwright active from the late Meiji through the early Showa period. His fantasy and supernatural writing influenced a subsequent generation of major Japanese authors. The 2016 publication was produced on the occasion of the 100th anniversary of the play, with critical commentary by Tamaki Anakura (穴倉玉日) and the Izumi Kyoka Memorial Museum. Translation supervision is credited to Megumi Kato (加藤めぐみ).
Illustration Content
The book contains more than 80 illustrations in total. Takato Yamamoto contributed 19 monochrome underdrawings and 19 full-colour paintings for the Japanese section. Aquirax Uno contributed 22 sketches and 18 completed paintings for the English section. The volume also includes one full-colour collage featuring both artists, close-up detail excerpts, and smaller sketches integrated within the text. Total illustration count: 37 colour and 46 black-and-white.
About the Artists
Takato Yamamoto (born 1960) developed the "Heisei Decadence" style from the earlier "Ukiyo-e Pop" tradition. His work spans illustrations for aesthetic, fantasy, erotic, and historical fiction, as well as book cover art and advertising. He is a member of the International Ukiyo-e Society and his work has an established international readership.
Aquirax Uno (Akira Uno, born 1934) is a graphic designer and illustrator. At the time of this publication he was described as a leading Japanese graphic designer continuing to work as a front-line illustrator.
Other Works by Takato Yamamoto
Further titles by Takato Yamamoto available at Lokator100:
Browse the full Editions Treville catalogue and our selection of Art & Illustration Books.
