"Understand culture, change the world." Conceived and executed via a collaboration between THE KYOTO, a website that promotes Kyoto culture to the world, and PURPLE, managed by the established art book publisher AKAAKA and the founder of Seigensha Art Publishing. This magazine documents the flow of Kyoto culture as it is right now-respecting authenticity, aligning with the present, and evolving continuously. The idea is to transmit Kyoto culture as if to those living 100 years in the future. A magazine not just of pictures capturing atmosphere along with subject, but a carefully curated collection of physical objects: materials, ingredients, tools, and any related items. A tangible collage of one aspect of current Kyoto culture, allowing an experience for all five senses. Due to its physical nature, only 100 copies will be available worldwide.
Hyotei began as a gatekeeper’s lodge and tea shop that also served snacks in the precinct of Nanzenji Temple approximately 450 years ago. When stepping into the restaurant guests will see a teahouse called Kuzuya, built when the restaurant was founded, where the ambience of the Edo period still exists. Their hanjuku-tamago half boiled eggs, Hyotei Tamago, is the one of Hyotei’s signature dishes. It was described in a book, Karaku Meisho Zukai, written at the end of the Edo period: “Hyotei’s boiled eggs are a rare delicacy and every guest enjoys it without exception. The popularity of the dish has not changed even to this day. Hyotei’s cuisine is based on tea-kaiseki, but it is the a result of keeping tradition and incorporating innovation. Along with the serving vessels of fine art caliber and its seasonal décor, Hyotei has continued to convey Kyoto Cuisine as a composite art medium through Wa-Kei-Sei-Jaku, the four most important elements of a tea ceremony: harmony (wa), respect (kei), purity (sei) and tranquility (jaku).
The book is designed to engage all five of your senses. It showcases captivating photographs and includes the actual ingredients used in these exquisite dishes, the culinary tools employed, and other related items.
●Photography: Shin Ebisu /Dimensions: 450×290mm/Style: Modified Portrait Style A3/Pages: 52/First printing is limited to 100 prints with edition numbers
The magazine will come with two individual pieces handcrafted by Koun Miyagawa, 3rd generation master of the Ryukoku-gama kiln, dedicated to creating vessels and equipment in the Kyo-yaki style for tea ceremonies, and painted with the 'hyotan' gourd motif by Eichi Takahashi, the 14th-generation chef of Hyotei restaurant. Each piece bears the personal handwritten signatures and 'Rakkan' stamps of both artists, and is created exclusively for Kyoto Century.
●Includes Two Individual Dishes in Kyo-yaki Style with Hakeme Hyotan Patterns (Crafted by Koun Miyagawa of Ryukoku-gama Kiln, Painted by Eichi Takahashi of Hyotei, Directed by Yoshihiro Takahashi of Hyotei)
To bring this artwork to life, we carefully selected traditional Japanese washi paper, embellished with the elegant straw patterns that grace the earthen walls of Hyotei in Sukiya-style architecture. These unique papers are actually composed of a precious soil known as 'Jurakudo,' carefully sourced from Nishijin, Kyoto, and provided by a skilled artisan. the texture of this custom-made washi paper enhances the overall reading experience, offering a tangible sense of luxury as you peruse the pages of the book.
●Production Cooperation: Awagami Factory
The rapid advancement of digitalization has ushered in paperless technology across various industries. As information continues to transition to digital formats for advertisements, newspapers, and magazines, the question of 'why print on paper' becomes increasingly significant. A paper-printed book, on the brink of becoming something extraordinary, possesses unique characteristics that engage all five senses, including touch and scent, making it remarkably memorable. Moreover, when highly durable paper is used, it can endure for centuries, if not millennia.
Kyoto Century is a testament to the enduring value of paper printing. In the future, paper-printed items will become scarce and esteemed, etching themselves into peoples’ memories and carrying forward into the generations to come. We sincerely hope that this book offers you an opportunity to truly appreciate the enduring worth of paper printing.
PURPLE is a collaborative community space brought to life through the partnership of Seigensha, a Kyoto-based art publisher with a global reputation, and AKAAKA, producer of emerging photographers. The gallery showcases photo exhibitions and events and offers a curated selection of art-related books for sale.
www.purple-purple.com
Operating under the slogan, "Understand culture, change the world," THE KYOTO stands as the web media outlet of The Kyoto Shimbun News. Through the power of the internet, they are dedicated to spreading Kyoto's traditional culture and crafts, along with valuable information, to audiences both in Japan and around the globe. Their goal is to foster global communities united by a passion for the arts and culture.
www.kyoto-np.co.jp/list/thekyoto
Title ： Kyoto Century Issue 01 Hyotei
Specifications:
·Dimensions: 450×290mm
·Style: Modified Portrait Style A3
·Pages: 52
·100 prints with edition numbers (Note: edition numbers cannot be selected)
·Includes Two Individual Dishes in Kyo-yaki Style with Hakeme Hyotan Patterns (Crafted by Koun Miyagawa of Ryukoku-gama Kiln, Painted by Eichi Takahashi of Hyotei, Directed by Yoshihiro Takahashi of Hyotei)
Price ： 165,000 yen (inclusive of tax)
Publication Date ： October 17, 2023
ISBN ： 978-4-9912907-0-1
