Meaning "a tiny bit" or "a small amount," "sukoshi" was borrowed by U.S. servicemen stationed in Japan, and shortened to "skosh." A little wisdom—inspired by Japanese proverbs called kotowaza—reminds us to notice and value the smallest things. Sukoshifeatures images found in nature representing each season, beginning with spring. Each image is paired with a kotowaza, and includes words or phrases in romaji, the romanization of the Japanese language. While some are familiar, like "peas in a pod," others may not be to some readers. Kacho fuugetsu, a six-century-old Japanese philosophy, directly translates to "flower, bird, wind, moon" and encapsulates continuous self-discovery through the appreciation of the natural world. While Sukoshifits like a tiny treasure in the palm of a reader's hand, it unfolds to a wingspan, evoking the expansive power of nature nestled in the smallest things.
Sukoshi is letterpress printed with 12 original linocuts by Yoshi Nakagawa, and handset type by Jessica Spring. Printed on kitakata, and backed with chiyogami paper, each book is folded into an accordion with museum board covers. A variety of vintage Japanese decorative papers were utilized, so—as in nature—each book in the edition is slightly different, belted with the patterned paper inside each copy. Produced in an edition of 100 which includes 12 deluxe copies that are hand-colored and boxed.
2x2 closed, 2x2x48 open, signed by both artists.