Nara Prefectural Library and Information Center to Host 'Gaku Nakagawa Picture Book Exhibition'

The Nara Prefectural Library and Information Center will host a picture book exhibition by Gaku Nakagawa, who wears 'two hats' as a Buddhist monk and an illustrator.

Nakagawa-san creates various motifs, both Japanese and Western, using digital techniques with Adobe Illustrator, and has received high acclaim both in Japan and overseas.

"Today is the Buddha-samas' sports day. Ball toss, bun-eating race, Buddha dance, human pyramid. Daibutsu-sama, participating for the first time, tries his best with his big body, but..."

Beginning with his representative work 'Daibutsu-sama no Undokai' (Winner of the 9th Libro Picture Book Award),

print works from 'Daibutsu-sama Omatsuri desu yo' and 'Daibutsu-sama Kaze wo Hiku' (all three from Alicekan), as well as the Izumi Kyoka series, will be exhibited.

Be sure to see the many charming, comical, nostalgic, and modern works by Gaku Nakagawa, who celebrates his 30th anniversary as an artist this year.

Gaku Nakagawa Born in 1966, lives in Kyoto. A monk of the Jodo-shu Seizan Zenrin-ji sect and an illustrator. He draws illustrations with a wide range of styles and has received high acclaim both in Japan and overseas. In recent years, he has also focused on picture book production. His works include 'The Poorest President's Speech in the World' (Shiobunsha), 'Ehon Kacho' (Kokusho Kankokai), 'Ehon Tono Monogatari Yamabito' (Shiobunsha), 'Suzuri-kun: The Story of Writing Tools' (Akane Shobo), 'Ka~namura no Sonchou-san' (Ehonkan), 'This Week's Menu for a Happy and Long Life' (Mishima-sha), 'Oinari-san', 'Sono Toki Mon wa Hirakareta: Honen Shonin Monogatari', and the 'Daibutsu-sama' series (Alicekan). TIS member, Instagram: gaku.nakagawa.1

[Exhibition] ■ Gaku Nakagawa Picture Book Exhibition ■ Period: June 9 (Tuesday) - July 12 (Sunday), 2026, 9:00 - 20:00 ※ Closed on Mondays during the exhibition period, and on June 30 (Tuesday) ■ Location: Nara Prefectural Library and Information Center 2F Entrance https://www.library.pref.nara.jp/gallery/4809 ■ Organizer: Nara Prefectural Library and Information Center ■ Content: Exhibition of print works from 14 published picture books (approximately 40 pieces in total) and more. 1. 'Daibutsu-sama no Undokai' Alicekan 2017 2. 'Daibutsu-sama Omatsuri desu yo' Alicekan 2020 3. 'Daibutsu-sama Kaze wo Hiku' Alicekan 2025 4. 'Suzuri-kun: The Story of Writing Tools' Akane Shobo 2021 5. 'Oinari-san' Alicekan 2022 6. 'Ehon Ryutantan' Kokusho Kankokai 2023 7. 'Shu Nikki' Kokusho Kankokai 2015 8. 'Boshu ni Mebana no Tsuku Hanashi' Kawade Shobo Shinsha 2019 9. 'Ehon Kacho' Kokusho Kankokai 2012 10. 'Sono Toki Mon wa Hirakareta: Honen Shonin Monogatari' Alicekan 2024 11. 'Yamabito' Shiobunsha 2016 12. 'Inga Banashi' Iwasaki Shoten 2025 13. 'Nokotta Nokotta' Ehonkan 2025 14. 'Sekai de Ichiban Mazushii Daitouryou no Speech' Shiobunsha 2014

[Gaku Nakagawa Talk + Autograph Session: A Monk Illustrator Speaks] ■ Part 1: Focusing on the "Daibutsu-sama Series" ・Content: Gaku Nakagawa will talk about his popular "Daibutsu-sama series" and other Buddhist-related picture books he has created. ・Date: June 13 (Saturday), 2026, 14:00 - 15:00 (Doors open 13:30) ・Location: Nara Prefectural Library and Information Center 1F Exchange Hall ・Participation: Advance reservation required (first 100 people), free ☆ Application acceptance starts: May 12 (Tuesday), 2025, 9:00~ https://www.library.pref.nara.jp/event/4814

Part 2: Focusing on "Inga Banashi" ・Content: Gaku Nakagawa will talk about his topical work 'Inga Banashi' (original by Lafcadio Hearn, adaptation by Toh EnJoe, illustrations by Gaku Nakagawa), published last year, and other picture books with themes of mystery and fantasy, such as those by Izumi Kyoka. ・Date: July 11 (Saturday), 2026, 14:00 - 15:00 (Doors open 13:30) ・Location: Nara Prefectural Library and Information Center 1F Exchange Hall ・Participation: Advance reservation required (first 100 people), free https://www.library.pref.nara.jp/gallery/4809

How to apply: Please apply via one of the following methods: (1) Email form (on the library's website) (2) In person (at the 2F Lending and Return Counter of the Library and Information Center) ※ Participation in the autograph session is limited to those who purchase books at the exhibition venue or talk venue. Participation tickets will be given to those who wish to attend.