Katsuyuki Shinohara - Kage

Kage, a picture book by Katsuyuki Shinohara, was his first solo picture book, published by Subaru Shobo in 1976. It is an extremely free and experimental early work by Shinohara, who would later become widely known as "Kumasan the Artist," released before he gained widespread popularity on television.

Born during the expansive period of picture book expression in the 1970s, this book transcends the boundaries of children's literature, becoming a "picture book as art" where the sensibilities of a sculptor, humor, unsettling elements, and poeticism intertwine. Using "kage" (shadow) — a familiar yet abstract concept — as a starting point, it invites readers to explore the joy of seeing and imagining.

This book offers a glimpse into the origins of Katsuyuki Shinohara, who built a unique world of expression using iron and clay as materials, and his sensibility that would lead to his later bold and humanistic activities is already present. It is a still-fresh debut work that conveys the fervor of an era when picture books were at their most adventurous.

[Title] Kage
[Publisher] Subaru Shobo
[Publication Date] December 25, 1976 (first edition)
[Pages] 30 pages
[Size] Approx. 22*30*1cm
[Format] Hardcover
[Language] Japanese
[Title Reading] KAGE
[Author/Editor] Katsuyuki Shinohara/Author
[Printing] Dainippon Printing/Printing, Dainippon Bookbinding/Binding
[ISBN]
[Condition] Used [4] Fair to Below Average (Cover: edge damage, slight tearing; Book: corner damage, slight stains)
[Accessories] None
[Featured In] -
[Related Exhibitions] -

Katsuyuki Shinohara (1942-2026)

Born in Hokkaido in 1942. Artist, writer, and television personality.
Dropped out of Musashino Art University. From the 1970s, he worked on posters and stage art for Juro Kara's Situation Theatre, while gaining attention for his creation of iron-based objects, and became widely known by his nicknames "Geijutsuka" (Artist) and "Kumasan."

In the 1980s, he was active on television and radio with his unique way of speaking and unrestrained personality, exuding an unparalleled presence. He also dedicated himself to writing, receiving the Shogakukan Children's Publication Culture Award for Hashire UMI and the Izumi Kyoka Literary Award for Koppu. In his later years, he moved his base to Nara and also engaged in creating works using clay. He passed away in 2026 at the age of 84.

< Related Figures >