Discover cuteness

◆◆"Discovering Cuteness: A Collection of Works by Osamu Harada" won the Douban 2024 Art and Design Award.
【Editor's Recommendation】
◆The works of legendary Japanese illustrator and designer Osamu Harada are now available in Chinese for the first time. ◆Tracing the birth of "kawaii" through 26 letters, encompassing all genres and exploring the secrets of cuteness that has dominated the genre for half a century. ◆Both an artist and a businessman, he perfectly balances art and business, presenting a career spanning everything from illustration to everything else. ◆440 pages of full-color printing, specially supervised by Harada's family and authorized by OSA MU GOODS, with stitched lines and open spines for 360-degree barrier-free reading. [Celebrity Recommendation]
Every Japanese person has seen Harada Osamu's work at least once in his or her life.
Find KAWAII Exhibition Living in today's world of abundant resources and advanced technology, it's hard to imagine how a commercial IP brand could be run in the 1980s, before computers became ubiquitous. Back then, Harada Osamu was responsible not only for color proofreading but also for integrating typography with illustrations. He then directed the team's layout, color matching, and final design review. The success of OSAMU GOODS is the result of the tireless effort and dedication of the entire team.
Ishii Shizu: His illustrations have a strong American pop style, with clean, simple lines, which piqued my interest. His style easily reminds me of our shared age. We were both born after World War II, and grew up immersed in American culture, surrounded by American television, movies, manga, and modern art. At the same time, his work captures the essence of Edo culture.
—Midnight Nakano (writer and editor)
Harada Osamu's illustrations convey an impression of evenly spaced lines. Unlike Miffy and Snoopy, his lines lack wiggle and texture, yet somehow manage to be so soft, captivating, and pleasing. The strands of hair appear to hang upside down, and the marker pens curve like a sudden stop, forming the katakana く (く). The trajectory of his lines conveys a sense of rhythm and speed. It's this rhythm that imbues his artwork with a pop element—a truly iconic pop element.
— Kenji Oikawa (manga artist)
Today, I'm questioning whether I'll continue collecting OSAMU GOODS. My collection has already surpassed 4,000 items, and my goal is that vague number—10,000. What should I do? Collecting them all is impossible, and I can't find a way to verify the accuracy of the 4,000 number. Yet, every time I open a package of OSAMU GOODS, I can't contain the excitement I feel. It seems like this feeling will never fade.
——Doi Akifumi [Introduction]
His cover illustrations defined the original styles of magazines like an·an, POPEYE, and BRUTUS; his cultural and creative brand boasts 13,000 products, and long lines of young girls form outside his pop-up stores. By seamlessly blending American pop art with Edo-style playfulness, he created "Japanese kawaii," a style that has been a rage for half a century and continues to influence how people view commerce and art. He is Osamu Harada, a legendary Japanese illustrator, a pioneering figure in CITYPOP's visual identity, a pop genius who redefined kawaii, the "Girl President" of the illustration world, and a creator of timeless urban color.
"Discovering Cuteness: The Works of Osamu Harada" is the most comprehensive collection of Harada's work to date. Structured in 26 alphabetical letters, it presents a comprehensive collection of his work spanning all stages of his career, including illustrations, manuscripts, book covers, product design, brand image design, and art criticism. The book includes over 500 full-color images, in addition to Harada's works, introductory essays by key artists such as Midori Nakano, Akifumi Doi, and Kenji Ikawa, as well as a detailed chronology compiled by the Setagaya Literary Museum in Tokyo. Harada was a unique figure in popular culture during Japan's bubble economy era, and his work, woven into Tokyo's fin-de-siècle landscape, blossomed with a refreshing connection to urban youth. Reflecting on Harada's achievements in magazines, creative media, and home furnishings, one can appreciate the perfect fusion of commercial and artistic expression. He pushed the boundaries of illustration to new heights, ensuring a constant renewal. People yearn to embody Harada's spirit: a desire to transcend age and geography, perpetually possessing a playful spirit.

2024-05-01

光启书局

Large flat Wild

440

9787545219937