Sano100: Shigejiro Sano and His Book Designs

This booklet was produced in conjunction with the "sano100" exhibition held in Utrecht. It introduces the book designs created by Western-style painter Shigejiro Sano, exploring their appeal.

This book is a project that began with the simple question, "How many book designs did Shigejiro Sano create?" The unit "sano100 associe," consisting of Yoko Kawabata, Takahiro Tsuchida, and Izumi Hada, collaborated with Utrecht to compile illustrations of representative book designs, a chronology, interviews, and related materials.

Shigejiro Sano's work, which includes distinctive energetic handwriting, collages using papier-collé, and light sketches, possesses an appeal that transcends the boundaries of painting and design. This book offers a glimpse into an era when art, literature, and publishing were closely intertwined, and is recommended for readers interested in Japanese book design and bookbinding culture.

[Title] Sano100 Shigejiro Sano and his Book Designs
[Publisher] Utrecht HONDERT
[Publication Date] September 16, 2003
[Number of Pages] 32 pages
[Size] Approx. 127*181*3mm / 50g
[Format] Softcover, saddle-stitched
[Language] Japanese
[Title Reading] SANO100 SANO SHIGEJIRO TO SONO SOUTEI
[Author/Editor] sano100 associe, Utrecht / Planning and Production
[Printing] Bunshodo Printing / Printing and Binding
[ISBN] -
[Condition] Used [7] Very Good
[Accessories] Errata
[Featured In] -
[Related Exhibition] 2003 sano100 Exhibition Utrecht FLO Gallery (Tokyo)

Shigejiro Sano (1900-1987)

Born in Osaka City, Osaka Prefecture. Western-style painter, book designer, designer.

He studied under Narashige Koide at the Shinanobashi Western Painting Research Institute. While exhibiting his works primarily at the Nikaten exhibition, he also created numerous book designs and illustrations for literary figures, starting with Riichi Yokomitsu, from the early Showa period.

In 1937, he traveled to France and studied at the Académie Julian. After the war, he participated in the founding of the Nikikai. While working as a painter, he also designed packaging and advertisements for Papilio cosmetics.

Highly acclaimed as a book designer, his book designs are still collected by many enthusiasts today.

< Related Figures >

Narashige Koide, Riichi Yokomitsu, Yasunari Kawabata, Hisui Sugiura