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Eshi 100 - Contemporary Japanese Illustration

June 13th, 2011, 9:02PM by nat | 20 comments

Eshi 100 - Contemporary Japanese Illustrations - 3

In May this year, the Eshi 100 Gallery Exhibition opened in the Akihabara UDX building and ran for a brief 5 days showcasing new illustrations by some of the most recognized artists in Japan. The gallery exhibition theme was the very open-ended idea of 'Japan', allowing for amazing creativity from the artists along with many different conceptual representations. This gorgeous exhibition was collected as a book, Eshi 100 - Contemporary Japanese Illustration and sold during the event.

Eshi 100 - Contemporary Japanese Illustrations - 1 Eshi 100 - Contemporary Japanese Illustrations - 2 Eshi 100 - Contemporary Japanese Illustrations - 3

Eshi 100 - Contemporary Japanese Illustrations - 4 Eshi 100 - Contemporary Japanese Illustrations - 5 Eshi 100 - Contemporary Japanese Illustrations - 6

Eshi 100 is a heavy-weight 232-pages and A4-sized. Everything is translated in both Japanese and English, including artists' comments, which are included on the page adjacent to each illustration. There isn't any cover art, which is nice in that it shows a kind of equality for the artists included. And every artist receives the same display for their work; one full page illustration and one profile page.

Eshi 100 - Contemporary Japanese Illustrations - 7 Eshi 100 - Contemporary Japanese Illustrations - 8

Eshi 100 - Contemporary Japanese Illustrations - 9 Eshi 100 - Contemporary Japanese Illustrations - 1

It's rare to say this about a various artist collection, but you're probably going to be able to recognize just about all 100 artists included. This is intentional, as the artists selected are supposed to be modern-day eshi, loved and admired for the work even among their peers. Reading each artist's individual comment about the illustration adds to the experience of exploring this collection, and in many cases allows you to evaluate the art work in a different context. Above are illustrations from Katagiri Hinata, Kantaka, Ginta, and KeG.

Eshi 100 - Contemporary Japanese Illustrations - 1 Eshi 100 - Contemporary Japanese Illustrations - 1 Eshi 100 - Contemporary Japanese Illustrations - 1

Eshi 100 - Contemporary Japanese Illustrations - 1 Eshi 100 - Contemporary Japanese Illustrations - 1 Eshi 100 - Contemporary Japanese Illustrations - 1

There is a general bright and optimistic mood about the illustrations, which several artists commented on in regard to the recent tragic events in Japan. Other artists commented that they wanted to evoke a feel of precious memories with their illustrations, and chose to illustrate beautiful scenes that were relatable. Above are illustrations from Koume Keito, Coffee Kizoku, G Yusuke, Tsuji Santa, Mai Nanaca, and Hiiro Yuki.

Eshi 100 - Contemporary Japanese Illustrations - 1

I was surprised (in a good way) by this illustration by PutiDevil, with a very refined style and non-chibi character. It's a turn away from her usual work, but beautiful nonetheless. Unfortunately, she's also one of the few artists in the book that didn't provide a comment ^^;

Eshi 100 - Contemporary Japanese Illustrations - 2 Eshi 100 - Contemporary Japanese Illustrations - 2 Eshi 100 - Contemporary Japanese Illustrations - 2

Eshi 100 - Contemporary Japanese Illustrations - 2 Eshi 100 - Contemporary Japanese Illustrations - 2 Eshi 100 - Contemporary Japanese Illustrations - 2

Eshi 100 is the kind of collection where it really feels like each artist gave it their all on the illustration. Itoh Ben's illustration included several of the motifs about Japanese art he loves, such as sword wielding girls (a popular theme throughout the book), pigtails (mentioned by a few artists as a Japan feature), ninjas (more than a few in here), and mecha (surprisingly not much).

Eshi 100 - Contemporary Japanese Illustrations - 2

Eshi 100 - Contemporary Japanese Illustrations - 3

Suzuhira Hiro and Nishimata Aoi, having near iconic status on the eshi scene, both really gave it their all in their illustrations. The wa lolita style dress and coloring in Suzuhira Hiro's art work "simultaneously creates an image of Mt. Fuji." Interestingly, Nishimata Aoi's piece also centers around Mt. Fuji, "in the hope [of] capturing the flavor of this symbol of mysterious Japan."

Eshi 100 - Contemporary Japanese Illustrations - 3 Eshi 100 - Contemporary Japanese Illustrations - 3 Eshi 100 - Contemporary Japanese Illustrations - 2

Eshi 100 - Contemporary Japanese Illustrations - 3 Eshi 100 - Contemporary Japanese Illustrations - 3 Eshi 100 - Contemporary Japanese Illustrations - 3

I could easily write so much more about this book, but Eshi 100 - Contemporary Japanese Illustrations is just as much about having one-on-one time with each art work as the gallery exhibition was. Reading the artist's insights while mentally tracing the details in each illustration is the true value of owning this collection. To find out all of the participating artists, as well as links to where you can purchase this, check out the Eshi 100 website. I whole-heartedly recommend this, it's easily the best art book I've purchased in years.


  • Title: Eshi 100 - Contemporary Japanese Illustration
  • タイトル: 絵師100人展
  • Pages: 232
  • Release date: 05/03/2011
  • Buy: eBay, Amazon Japan
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Andy

12 years, 9 months ago

 

neither ebay nor amazon has this book listed. does that website you listed (evesanshop) shop to the US?

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nat

12 years, 9 months ago

 

Nope, you need a deputy shop. If they shipped to the US, I'd mention it, because that'd be the exception to the rule with Japanese shops ^^; That being said, it may not hurt to ask since they don't explicitly say they will not ship overseas.

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Kira-kun

12 years, 9 months ago

 

I am still waiting this one (most of things from Japan take a considerable time to arrive in my country). Anyway, thanks for the review nat ! I was really curious to know more about this artwork. In fact, I was attracted by the illustration made by Kimizuka Aoi. But now I see it is much more interesting than I thought.

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nat

12 years, 9 months ago

 

You're welcome!

It takes a long time anywhere! I ordered mine at the beginning of May and didn't receive it until last week ^^; There's a lot more to see than what I've shown, so it'll still be awesome when you finally receive it ^^

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Chr0n0

12 years, 9 months ago

 

Hey Nat, do you know if this will be up on Amazon jp eventually? thanks! ^^

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nat

12 years, 9 months ago

 

I don't think Amazon will ever be selling it directly, but a third party seller putting it up seems likely. But the situation would be the same as it is from evesanshop.com, you would still need a deputy service since very few shops handle overseas customers.

Avatar for Lonigus
Lonigus

12 years, 8 months ago

 

I see Vania600 pic there! Omg I wish he finally publishes a damn artbook! >_<". Something like Foo Midoris book! >_>

Well the book would be more likely a railroad fetish book, but I simply love this combo of the "Makoto Shinkai" like amazingly drawn backgrounds, but in Vanias case much much better looking characters in them.

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nat

12 years, 8 months ago

 

I wonder if Vania600 has enough art work for that... Then again, shows what I know, I didn't think Midori Foo had enough art work for the book she released! Well, with any luck Vania600 will release another illustration collection for C80 :)

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Merun

12 years, 8 months ago

 

I found that one while randomly browsing auction for Comic1☆5 and immediately picked it ( with a cover signed by Misaki Kurehito ). I was really lucky time wise since I didn't know about the event.

As you say, it's certainly the best artbook I have gotten for a while. Presentation and choice of artist is outstanding. But the best is the fact that there are only new illustration. I know I spent 1 whole hour to flip all the pages.

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nat

12 years, 8 months ago

 

Hehe, took me longer to go through too, because I was actually reading the artists' comments for once! XD

I saw your autographed copy, very nice catch!

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Riven

12 years, 8 months ago

 

After seeing the review from both you and Merun on this artbook, I absolutely HAD to get it. I only just now realized that there are English descriptions along with the Japanese. I'm enjoying this new bi-lingual trend in book publishing. I can't wait to sit down and read through it and gawk at the pictures. It certainly looks like a MUST GET for any artbook collector. Thanks!

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Sooyung Heat-Seeking Art Missile

12 years, 8 months ago

 

I was able to purchase this book on ebay by chance while searching for Tinkle Art books. Thing was, the title was "Eishi" instead of "Eshi" so it probably didn't show up. I got really lucky with this one and purchased it immediately. Thank you for your reviews! I really love reading them and appreciate the hard work you put into it! ^_^

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nat

12 years, 8 months ago

 

Awesome! That does sound like you managed to luck out, that's probably the one time it didn't help to know exactly what you were looking for XD

And thank you for your kind words! ^^

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Sooyung Heat-Seeking Art Missile

12 years, 8 months ago

 

I just got this book today in the mail, and you're absolutely correct! It really is the best art book I've purchased. It's my favorite out of my collection! Thank you for this awesome recommendation. ^____^

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nat

12 years, 8 months ago

 

Yay! Glad to hear it ^^ I feel validated XD

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Saa-chan

12 years, 8 months ago

 

The only one I've been able to find is $90 on the ebay site. I really want it though >_<

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Sooyung Heat-Seeking Art Missile

12 years, 7 months ago

 

It's by the same seller that I got it from. I got his/her other copy for $10 cheaper because it was slightly damaged. The book, however, was in very good condition and well worth the money. Also, I haven't been able to find it else where that ships to the USA.

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nat

12 years, 7 months ago

 

Not to be a downer or anything, but you're not really going to get a much better deal with a deputy service when you add up internal shipping, "wire transfer fee", service/auction fee, and shipping to you, which would probably be EMS. And then take into account the current exchange rate for the dollar -___-

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CodeKyuubi

12 years, 6 months ago

 

;_; 90 dollars. And as an amateur artbook collector, I absolutely cannot ignore this... The conflict within me rages fiercely.

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nat

12 years, 6 months ago

 

Save up for it? I started my collection with expensive books I felt I had to have (after buying a lot of duds), and then expanded from there. No rage that way, just patience! :)

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