Chiki Kikuchi's 77 Picture Books Over 17 Years Gathered in Exhibition Catalog, On Sale November 2

Chiki Kikuchi's Picture Books: 77 Picture Books, Everyday Scenery, Small Happenings

As the official catalog for the exhibition 「絵本作家 きくちちき展 いきもの Rhapsody」, to be held at PLAY! MUSEUM (inside GREEN SPRINGS, Tachikawa, Tokyo), BlueSheep will publish "Chiki Kikuchi: Picture Books."

Chiki Kikuchi (born 1975) is a picture book artist who dynamically depicts the vitality of nature and living things. Kikuchi debuted in 2012 with 『しろねこくろねこ』 (Gakken) and the following year received the Golden Apple at the Biennial of Illustrations Bratislava (BIB). Kikuchi's work has continued to be highly regarded in Japan and overseas.

This book introduces the 77 picture books Kikuchi has created over 17 years, in order of publication. It also includes rare handmade picture books and out-of-print titles that are no longer available today.

Kikuchi creates stories from familiar things and small happenings, such as neighborhood cats and insects. In addition to the picture books and original artwork, the book features newly shot photographs of the "everyday scenery" around Kikuchi, including the studio.

It also includes interviews with people close to Kikuchi, such as designer Akira Minagawa and editor Daisuke Tsutsui. Together with Kikuchi's own account of the creative process, they introduce the making of the picture books from various angles. Tracing the picture books and their backgrounds, the book offers a look at how Kikuchi sees the world.

Book Information: "Chiki Kikuchi: Picture Books"

• Price: ¥3,300 (tax included)
• Publisher: BlueSheep
• Specifications: A5 modified size, 232 pages, codex binding
• ISBN: 978-4-908356-84-1
• Editors: 永岡綾, いまむられいこ, 竹下ひかり (BlueSheep)
• Interviews: いまむられいこ
• Binding design: サイトヲヒデユキ
• Photography: 鈴木陽介
• Sales schedule: Advance sale at PLAY! MUSEUM from October 7, 2026 (Wed). On sale at bookstores nationwide from November 2 (Mon).
• Publisher's page: https://bluesheep.jp/projects/chiki_picturebooks/

Contents

• From the 1st book to the 77th book
• Index (in order of publication) / Index (in Japanese syllabary order) / List of included original artworks
• Interview & Photos: Everyday Scenery, Small Happenings
  • Chiki Kikuchi
  • Designer Akira Minagawa
  • えほんやるすばんばんするかいしゃ 荒木健太
  • URESICA カマタユリコ, ダイ小林
  • Picture book specialist 横田敬一
  • 小峰書店 editorial department 小林美香子
  • 偕成社 editorial department 広松健児
  • Book designer サイトヲヒデユキ
  • Chiki Kikuchi and きくちりた
  • 野分編集室 editor Daisuke Tsutsui
  • Musician 平井真美子
• English commentary

About Chiki Kikuchi

Born in Hokkaido in 1975. Kikuchi boldly depicts the vitality of nature and living things with a richly colorful touch. After attending a university in Hokkaido and graduating from its Department of Architecture in the Faculty of Fine Arts, Kikuchi moved to Tokyo, studied design at an art vocational school, and joined a printing company, where Kikuchi worked in design. After encountering a French picture book from 100 years earlier at an antique market, Kikuchi set out to become a picture book artist at the age of 33.

A handmade picture book presented at a solo exhibition became popular, and the debut work 『しろねこくろねこ』, published in 2012, received the Golden Apple at the Biennial of Illustrations Bratislava (BIB) the following year. In 2019, 『もみじのてがみ』 received a gold plaque at the same exhibition, among numerous other honors. In 2025, Kikuchi received the 3rd Takashi Yanase Culture Award. In 2019, the Musashino City Kichijoji Art Museum held the exhibition 「きくちちき絵本展 しろとくろ」.

Exhibition Information: 「絵本作家 きくちちき展 いきもの Rhapsody」

The first large-scale solo exhibition for Chiki Kikuchi that will tour nationwide

Four highlights:

1. First public showing of the giant original artwork for the new picture book 『いきもの Rhapsody』
2. About 150 carefully selected original picture book artworks, including the popular 『しろとくろ』
3. The "Season Room," surrounded by red, pink, and white original picture book artworks
4. About 80 books on display, covering all of the picture books, including handmade books

• Dates: October 7 (Wed) to December 13 (Sun), 2026 (open every day during the exhibition period)
• Venue: PLAY! MUSEUM (Tachikawa, Tokyo)
• Hours: 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM (until 6:00 PM on weekends and holidays / admission until 30 minutes before closing)
• Admission: General ¥1,800, and others
• Website: https://play2020.jp/article/kikuchichiki/