Paperwork made from the ordinary things that surround us—things no longer needed. Why do such utterly unremarkable objects resonate so deeply within us?
— Kazumi Sakata

These paper envelopes were made by Hiromu Kozaki (1919–2014), a master carpenter who spent the later years of his life creating envelopes from discarded paper found in everyday life.

Calling them simply his "paperwork," Kozaki never exhibited or sold them. Instead, he quietly continued making envelopes every day, from morning until night, until his death at the age of ninety-five. Over the years, he produced an astonishing number of them.

The collection survived only because it was discovered by his granddaughter, Sakuko Fujii. This book reproduces 104 envelopes from her carefully preserved collection, anonymous works that were never intended to be seen by anyone beyond their maker.

The materials came from whatever had fulfilled its purpose: newspapers, advertising flyers, wrapping paper, tissue boxes, utility bills, medical reports, prescription envelopes, and countless other pieces of paper that would otherwise have been thrown away.

Grandfather never bought paper specifically to make envelopes. The ephemeral paper passing through everyday life—humble scraps of little apparent value—was the indispensable fuel that allowed him to continue his quiet practice.

In the newly added afterword, some memories are recalled:

One day, while a family member briefly stepped away from a manuscript she was writing, she returned to find that the unfinished pages had already been transformed into one of Grandfather's envelopes. Letters, school reports, and architectural blueprints—all were turned into his envelopes.

Sakuko Fujii also writes in her essay Days of Paperwork:

As my grandfather's skill grew, he began making envelopes faster than discarded paper could be found. To give himself more work to do, he started carefully peeling apart thick laminated paper, layer by layer, before using it. I believe that, for him, the act of keeping his hands in motion mattered more than the envelopes themselves.

To celebrate this new edition, FRAGILE BOOKS has produced a Special Edition that pays homage to Grandfather's envelopes. Each cover is made from thick paper painstakingly peeled apart by hand.

Every Special Edition is unique. Following an idea by Toshiko Sakata, each copy is presented in a removable cloth book jacket sewn from leftover textiles by mon Sakata, making every volume a singular object.

Exhibition Information

Special Edition Exhibition

A special exhibition and sale of the 100-copy Special Edition will be held at the former site of Furudogu Sakata.

Dates: March 17–18, 2023
Hours: 11:00–18:00
Venue: Sakata House (next to mon Sakata Studio)
3-18-9 Shimoochiai, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo 161-0033, Japan

Reservations and holds are not available. Purchases are limited to two copies per person. Sales will end once all copies have been sold.

Grandfather's Envelopes – Commemorative Exhibition

Dates: April 29 – November 26, 2023
Opening Hours: 10:30–16:00 (Open Saturdays and Sundays only)
Venue: museum as it is
41 Iwanade, Chōnan-machi, Chōsei-gun, Chiba 297-0154, Japan