Keiichi Asakura / Miscellaneous Thoughts 1

This is a zine by Keiichi Asakura, who runs a folk art store in the mountains of Hida Takayama, Gifu Prefecture.
 The author published his solo book, Mingei: Unknown (Sakuhinsha), in 2024. This book is a compilation of what he has been thinking about in the year since the publication of that book, focusing on the perspective of "intuition."
 "When learning about Mingei, there are several words that many people are attracted to, but the more they learn about them, the more they stumble over them and eventually begin to question them. One of these words is probably 'intuition.' In Mingei, it is often said that intuition is important, and this is because Yanagi Soetsu, who coined the term 'Mingei,' imposed upon himself and placed great importance on the attitude of 'observing with intuition' above all else..." - An excerpt from this book
 Beginning with a quote from Kobayashi Hideo, the book connects Ashitaka from the film "Princess Mononoke" to Yanagi Muneyoshi, the father of the Mingei movement, and is written in words that emerge from Asakura's unique daily life. This book invites the reader into nature and its world, and makes them realize that Mingei is an art movement rooted in everyday life.
 Even if you have never come into contact with folk art, this is a zine that you can get into and enjoy to the fullest.
 The hand-drawn illustrations by the author's wife, Yoshiko, are adorable and add a lovely, light-hearted atmosphere to the book.

 Keiichi Asakura
 Self-taught. Owner of Yawaya. Born in 1984. Director of the Hida Folk Crafts Association, editorial committee member of Mingei Magazine, and part-time lecturer at Aichi Prefectural University of the Arts. While dealing in folk crafts pottery, he also runs the exhibition room "4'33", a private library in the attic, and the label "Kasokesha". His main publications include "Mingei as it remains unknown" (Sakuhinsha, 2024).

 Publisher: Kasokesha
 Publication year: 2025
 Number of pages: 59
 Size: 148 x 105 mm
 Format: Softcover
 Language: Japanese
 Accessories: Sign, bookmark
 Condition: New