The Works of Yusaku Kamekura

(Afterword) 'First I wish to thank the compilation committee staffs on this book - Masataka Ogawa, Iko Tanaka, and Kazumasa Nagai.

Three different publishers tried to get me to do this book even though I had no particular desire to do it myself. But Rikuyo-sha Publishing, Inc. convinced me that it should be done. It was Rikuyo-sha's Managing Director Shuhei Hashimoto's idea of doing the whole thing in accordance with the plans and ideas of the editorial staff alone without my help or say in the matter that really convinced me that a good book would come of the project.

Even though I had nothing to do but present my works, I was really worried about most of the old things I had made right after the war, but as the design began to take on concrete form and I saw the work done by the editors, I began to feel amazed at the fine work they had done. I found it hard to believe how beautiful my works looked layout and printed in such fine colors as Ikko Tanaka's layout called for. And the fine essay written by Masataka Ogawa is both a very appropriate analysis and at the same time it is not too technical to be understood by the average reader. Also the historical biography written as a result of interviews with Kazumasa Nagai is appropriately accurate for such a documentary record of my work, and he has made it extend a step further through his own design philosophy.

I am also most grateful for the introduction written by Kenzo Tange. His words are full of the warmest friendship in spite of, or perhaps as a result of the relatively short length of our close friendship. He has shown a deep understanding of a most difficult field to describe - this world of graphic design of ours.

I also wish to extend my deepest gratitude to the enthusiasm of Rikuyo-sha's editor Keiko Kubota. Her insistence upon accuracy led her beyond my poor memory to concrete materials and numerous visits to libraries in her search for the clearcut facts of my life and works.

I also wish to mention that it was thanks to the photos of Kichisaburo Anzai and Osamu Murai, and the technical expertise project team led by Shigeko Kollma of the Toppan Printing Co., Ltd. that such an excellent book was brought into being.

Once more I cannot help but mention Shuhei Hashimoto, because it is his sharp powers of observation applied to the relationship between designs, designers, and books that made it possible for this book of my works to see the light of day.

Finally. I wish to thank everybody whose work made it possible for this book to become a reality.'

Yusaku Kamekura, August 1983

Condition: Very Good. All titles are used and show shelf ware consistent with age. Light rubbing, creasing to dust jacket. Light tanning to outer edges of interior pages.

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