KikiMe books

A small archive of inspiration.

[kikimebooks]

Dictionary of Traditional Japanese Patterns

This reference book provides an overview of traditional Japanese patterns used from ancient times to the present day. It explains the names, origins, uses, and production techniques of a wide variety of motifs, making it a valuable resource for exploring the history and meaning behind Japanese decorative design.

Book: 文様の事典 Mon’yo no Jiten Written by 岡登貞治　Okanobori Teiji Published by 株式会社東京堂出版 ©︎ 1968

[kikimebooks]

The World of Farming in Art

Published for an exhibition held at the Museum of Modern Art, Ibaraki in 2023, this catalog explores the many meanings of the Japanese concept of 農 (nō)—a term that encompasses agriculture, rural life, and the people who work the land. I purchased this catalog during my visit to the exhibition at the Museum of Modern Art, Ibaraki. Featuring around 100 carefully selected works from museums across Japan, it introduces the world of nō through the works of artists including Ogawa Usen, Asai Chū, Minami Kunzō, Millet, and Van Gogh. It is a thoughtful exploration of how agriculture and rural life have been interpreted through art across different periods and cultures. Catalogue 土とともに、美術にみる〈農〉の世界

Cover artwork Yuriko Asano

Published by The Museum of Modern Art, Ibaraki © 2023 The Museum of Modern Art, Ibaraki

[kikimebooks]

Vintage Aloha Shirts

Published for an exhibition at the Chigasaki City Museum of Art, this catalog features vintage Aloha shirts from the 1930s to the 1950s.

I purchased this catalog when I visited the exhibition in Chigasaki. The shirts featured in the book were selected from the collection of Ryoichi Kobayashi, an Aloha shirt collector and the director of the Japanese Aloha shirt brand SUN SURF.

The catalog offers a closer look at the patterns, fabrics, and craftsmanship of vintage Aloha shirts, and remains one of the books I return to for textile design reference.

[kikimebooks]

A Collection of Ainu Patterns

Ainu Minzoku Monyoshu (A Collection of Ainu Patterns) by Sanae Ogawa. Purchased at the Hokkaido Museum in Sapporo, this book offers a fascinating introduction to traditional Ainu embroidery and pattern-making. Drawing on techniques passed down through generations in her family, Sanae Ogawa carefully documents the stitching methods, garment construction, and distinctive motifs that have long been part of Ainu culture. An inspiring reference for anyone interested in textile traditions, embroidery, and indigenous design. A Collection of Ainu Traditional Patterns Written by Sanae Ogawa Published by Tezukuri Utara, Association for the Preservation of Ainu Culture　©︎2013

[kikimebooks]

One Hundred Camellias　

Hyakuchinzu (One Hundred Camellias), a beautifully illustrated collection celebrating the remarkable diversity of camellias in Japan.

A particularly charming feature of the book is the way camellias are displayed in an array of unexpected vessels, transforming everyday objects into flower containers.

Catalogue: 「百椿図」 One Hundred Camellias Published by ©︎ 2012 Nezu Museum

[kikimebooks]

Welcome to KIKIME Books

I'm a textile designer based in Tokyo.

Here, I'll be sharing art museum catalogs, art books, and craft-related publications that I have collected over the years.

Some were purchased after visiting exhibitions in person. Others were discovered in secondhand bookstores and brought home simply because they caught my eye.

Some have served as references for my textile design work, while others were chosen as souvenirs of memorable exhibitions. A few found their way onto my shelves because I loved the design of the cover itself.

KIKIME Books is a small archive of these discoveries, and the inspirations that continue to shape the way I see and create.

Thank you for visiting.