SPECIAL EXHIBITION
特別展示
“Visualizing the Works of Kawabata Yasunari Through Prints:
Shincho Library Book Covers Exhibition”
「版画が伝える川端文学のこころ―
新潮文庫表紙原画展」
Shincho Library has selected fourteen prints from past CWAJ Print Shows to honor the 50th anniversary of Kawabata Yasunari’s death. Kawabata received the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1968.
In this special exhibition, the fourteen original prints that were used on the covers of new editions of Kawabata’s books will be displayed along with the Shincho Library books.
[From the magazine Nami April 2022 issue]
“In honor of the 50th anniversary of the death of Kawabata Yasunari, from the end of March through June of this year, starting with Snow Country, Shincho Library will be re–releasing thirteen of Kawabata’s works with new covers. Additionally, Shincho Library will be publishing Kawabata’s Boy in paperback for the first time, for a total of fourteen original book covers.
All of the new covers will feature print artwork (hanga). The prints that Shincho Library selected for the covers were displayed at the CWAJ Print Show, an annual exhibition that introduces modern Japanese print artwork to domestic and foreign audiences. The quiet beauty of the Fushimi Inari Shrine and the nostalgic rural roads depicted in the prints perfectly complement the beauty and warmth of Kawabata’s literature. These prints, which are highly valued the world over, will breathe new life into Kawabata’s internationally acclaimed and widely–read works.”
近現代の日本文学を代表する作家、川端康成の没後50年となる今年、 新潮文庫の既存の川端作品13冊に新たに『少年』を加えた14冊が新装 され、全14冊の表紙すべての装幀に過去のCWAJ現代版画展の出展作品が選ばれました。
この特別展では、新潮文庫とその原画となったCWAJ現代版画展展示作品14点を並べてご覧いただきます。
新潮社「波」4月号より
「川端没後五十年に合わせ、新潮文庫では今年の三月下旬~六月にかけ、『雪国』をはじめとした川端作品(十三書名)のカバーを新装していき ます。
新カバーを飾っているのは、すべて版画作品です。日本の現代版画を国 内外に紹介する展覧会「CWAJ現代版画展」の出品作でまとまりました。そこには幽玄な伏見稲荷や懐かしい田舎道など、まるで川端文学の美しさ と温もりを写し取ったかのような風景が広がっていました。海外でも高い評 価を得ているこれら版画作品は、世界各地で読まれている川端作品に新たな息吹を吹き込むことでしょう。」

Born in 1899 in Osaka. Graduated from Tokyo Imperial University with a major in Japanese literature. In the autumn of 1918, he made his first trip to Izu as a student. From there on, he had long stays in Izu, Yugashima for ten years. With consent from Kikuchi Kan, Kawabata published the Tokyo University literary magazine Shin-shichō (New Tide of Thought) in 1921. As a neo–sensualist, he explored unique literature. In 1968 he won the Nobel Prize for Literature. On April 16, 1972, he committed suicide in his workroom in Zushi. His works include The Izu Dancer, Snow Country, The Old Capital, The Sound of the Mountain, and The Sleeping Beauties.
©Shinchosha
1899(明治32)年、大阪生れ。東京帝国大学国文科卒業。一高時代の1918(大正7)年 の秋に初めて伊豆へ旅行。以降約10年にわたり、毎年伊豆湯ヶ島に長期滞在する。菊池 寛の了解を得て‘21年、第六次「新思潮」を発刊。新感覚派作家として独自の文学を貫い た。‘68(昭和43)年ノーベル文学賞受賞。‘72年4月16日、逗子の仕事部屋で自死。著書 に『伊豆の踊子』『雪国』『古都』『山の音』『眠れる美女』など多数。
(新潮文庫/川端康成著者紹介より)













