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ONIKAGE
A selection of Toshio Saeki's previously unseen works, uniquely printed in a large, lush format. Throughout, paper vellum overlays reproduce Saeki's unique method for adding color to his black and white artwork. He does not apply color directly, but instead uses overlays to indicate the exact colors he wants. He calls this method chinto printing - the picture is complete only after it has been printed - a modern version of the ukiyo-e, a genre of Japanese woodcut prints. Though Onikage contains nearly two-dozen full color and seven black and white images, the viewer is not allowed to see every image in all stages. Like the artist, the viewer must use his or her imagination to complete these peculiar pictures.
100 pages, Paperback
First published June 1, 2010
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
August 14, 2017
"I'm always thinking, how wonderful it would be to give shape to psychological pictures which everyone hides and holds deep within them."
July 13, 2016
I'm just writing this as a general review of Saeki's work. I'm not prepared to buy one of his books yet, so I just looked at all the available scans online and am going to guess that most are from this edition.
These are contemporary Japanese art books, but they are almost H manga or guro. Its described accurately as nightmare erotica. Each page is a single panel. However, they are mostly illustrative, in that you can infer a backstory from the characters outfits, expressions, postures, setting etc. Subject matter ranges from bugs, animals, bizarre fetishes, tentacles, demons, gods and other insane creatures, pedophilia, incest, gang rape, freakish protrusions, multiple heads, living severed heads, heads where vaginas should be etc etc etc etc and beyond. Its basically all in there. No aliens though, probably because stylistically and in regards to the clothing, these all look like old 1920s or 1940s style drawings, or antique wood block prints. He also never actually shows a vagina that I can recall, in accordance with Japanese censorship policy. Violence, perversion, playfulness, weirdness, and eroticism make an unnerving blend. Unsummarizably mysterious. Artist is definitely talented.
These are contemporary Japanese art books, but they are almost H manga or guro. Its described accurately as nightmare erotica. Each page is a single panel. However, they are mostly illustrative, in that you can infer a backstory from the characters outfits, expressions, postures, setting etc. Subject matter ranges from bugs, animals, bizarre fetishes, tentacles, demons, gods and other insane creatures, pedophilia, incest, gang rape, freakish protrusions, multiple heads, living severed heads, heads where vaginas should be etc etc etc etc and beyond. Its basically all in there. No aliens though, probably because stylistically and in regards to the clothing, these all look like old 1920s or 1940s style drawings, or antique wood block prints. He also never actually shows a vagina that I can recall, in accordance with Japanese censorship policy. Violence, perversion, playfulness, weirdness, and eroticism make an unnerving blend. Unsummarizably mysterious. Artist is definitely talented.
September 20, 2010
Haunting, vibrant, gorgeous, disturbing, entertaining, creepy, funny. Toshio Saeki carries the torch lighted by Hokusai (especially in "The Dream of the Fisherman's Wife/Ama and the Octopus") beautifully.
September 8, 2012
A worthwhile purchase with very compelling and challenging imagery. Absolute great use of color and shape in these illustrations. Great layout and excellent quality of paper and vellum as well. A wonderful and brilliant supplement to my growing art book collection.
January 10, 2011
Beautiful!
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews