op.1 Title:
"I tried to write a song about my diary. I felt like it was about someone other than me."

I wanted to draw each picture one by one and make a book with just those pictures. And I didn't want to just collect all the original drawings I'd done so far, without clearly defining the beginning and end like a picture book. I wanted to draw pictures that could be turned into a picture book later.
———From the interview at the end of "Picture Books Before They Became Picture Books" by Ryoji Arai

This is one of 23 original illustrations drawn by picture book author Ryoji Arai specifically for "The Picture Book Before It Became a Picture Book." The illustration has such depth that it gives the impression that a new story is about to be born.

The book has pages that focus on the details to convey the beauty of Arai's drawings, but of course there's nothing like seeing the originals up close. The originals have a unique beauty, like the twinkling of stars in the night sky, that can only be found in the real thing.

The titles of each work are like songs based on a diary. Arai also writes his own lyrics and composes music, and sometimes sings as a vocalist in a band, so this time he used the opus number "Op.", which is the first number on the sheet music.

In addition, you can purchase a special picture frame selected by Arai only during the Fragile Expo (November 1st to November 30th). (*We cannot accept orders for the frame alone.)

This is a custom frame specially selected by Arai to match the theme of this exhibition, "paintings in dark colors." From among several candidates, Arai chose not a shiny, sparkling frame, but one that gives the feeling of the joy of spending a long time with it, as if it had been there for a long time. This frame is an antique-style masterpiece with mud stains. The random base is stained with mud to give it texture. The mud finish is done by hand, so each piece is unique and has a different look. It has a solid thickness and the uneven finish enhances the flavor of the painting.

At FRAGILE BOOKS, we want you to enjoy art more freely and in a more diverse way. We want to treasure both the excitement of new works and the fleeting beauty that has been created over a long period of time. We want you to choose a frame to match your favorite painting, without compromise, just as you would choose the painting inside. We would like to suggest frames for paintings, pedestals for three-dimensional works, and even a "home" where art can rest.
To purchase frames, click here

List of 23 titles:

Photo by Masako Nagano

Ryoji Arai Ryoji Arai

Picture book author. Born in Yamagata Prefecture in 1956. After graduating from the Department of Fine Arts at Nihon University College of Art, he began creating picture books.He has received numerous picture book awards both in Japan and abroad, including the Bologna Children's Book Fair Special Award in 1999 for "Nazonazo no Tabi" (Riddle Journey), and in 2005, he became the first Japanese person to receive the Astrid Lindgren Memorial Literature Award. He is active in many areas, from art museum curation to exhibitions, the opening illustrations for the NHK drama series "Jun to Ai" and artistic direction for the Yamagata Art Festival in the Middle of the Road Biennale. His main picture books include "Happy-san," "Sleeping Princess," "Today's Sky is Round," "Today's I Can Run Anywhere," and "Children Are Hooked." He is known as one of Japan's leading picture book authors, and his work has attracted attention overseas as well.