Stunning new Japanese arts & culture book releases from PIE International

Some of the most famous Japanese artists have had their artwork featured in PIE International Inc.'s roster of books since 1971. Originally founded as a graphic design firm, PIE is known to created titles that are not only visually stunning but also keepsakes for collectors and admirers of Japanese arts and culture lovers globally. The publisher also has a guiding philosophy to create titles that are "sweet and fresh" -- so much so, these have become essential in the company's daily practice in its Tokyo headquarters and apparent in their latest releases. Two out of the five brilliant new releases include Beautiful Scenes From A Fantasy World and Yokai Wonderland: More from Yumoto Koichi Collections: Supernatural Beings in Japanese Art. 

Artist Nocras previously worked as a 3D designer for a video game company. Currently works as a freelance concept artist for video games and as an illustrator for trading card games. 

Beautiful Scenes From a Fantasy World features the work of some of the most in-demand and emerging artists working in the world of anime and manga today. Illustrations featuring fantasy worlds takes lovers of the art world into dream worlds. Captivating the imagination and stirs creativity in our souls. A breathtaking feast for the eyes from nature and technology. 

The book features highly detailed illlustrations by 32 artists. Profiles are included along side commentary by each artist on their process and inspiration behind their work. Cover illustration by Yo Shimizu, an illustrator and concept artist, explains how he designed the fantasy illustration walking through the process from listing ideas and understanding the importance of offering viewers a sense of excitement. He speaks about having a sense of depth and stability that mirrored the word "beauty," which is in the Japanese title of the book. Digital artists gain insight as he explains how adding texture to his illustrations through methods of layering to the setting. 

Yokai Wonderland: More from Yumoto Koichi Collections: Supernational Beings in Japanese Art is an incredible keeper of a book not just for art history lovers but gamers including fans of Yokai Watch. In this new title reveals Japanese history and culture for those who are familiar, and new, to the supernatural creatures. This comprehensive collection of Yokai, aka monsters of Japanese folklore, is from the personal collection of Koichi Yumoto, a historian and former curatorial director of Kawasaki City Museum. Yumoto holds the largest personal collection of yokai art in Japan with approximately 3000 works ranging from the Edo period to present day. Within his collection are paintings, woodblock prints, ceramics, kimonos, board games, toys and more. In this latest release Yumoto aims to give an overview of Yokai and how it's evolving.

This new book follows the first release titled Yokai Museum: The Art of Japanese Supernatural Beings from Yumoto Koichi Collection (2013). There are plans underway for the Yokai collection to have its own museum in Japan by spring of 2019. 

 The Defeat of Shuten-doji, post-Edo period (detail)