air, flowers and colours - Mika Horie

Air, flowers and colours is Mika Horie's  second artist book copublished by IBASHO & the(M) éditions.

For this book Horie immersed herself in nearly-forgotten traditions such as kimono-making, the tea ceremony, and even duck hunting. Particularly fascinated by the intricate beauty of the Obi and the entire kimono-making process, she met with artisans who specialise in crafting silk yarns and Obi. Over two months, she raised silkworms to gain a deeper understanding of the silk production process. During this time, she also experienced the enchanting world of native wildflowers and plants during her weekly tea ceremony practice. Her tea instructors shared profound Zen wisdom while discussing the seasonal decorations in the tea room, revealing the deep significance and beauty of each arrangement. These teachings enriched her creativity, inspiring fresh ideas and imagery she eagerly anticipated exploring.

Throughout this journey, she delved deeply into the rich and complex facets of Japanese culture, uncovering uncharted aspects of the island's history. She hopes that her newest book, “Air, Flowers, and Colours”, provides readers with an insightful glimpse into her profound connection to her identity and ancestral heritage.

Each copy of the book is different, for it has  its own cyanotype print of a poetic scenery on handmade paper, which makes each book a unique experience. For the interior, the perception of the original is perceived by the artistic photography that almost makes it look like the original, and enhanced by the choices for ink and paper. The rough edges of the book emphasise the character of the handmade paper and its softness. 

The book design is from Akiko Wakabayashi and it was printed by RobStolk.