By MOOK Scenic Spots Editorial Department
The latest art and culture exhibition from Eslite Bookstore, “I Had a Dream – Toshi Yoshida Centennial Art Exhibition,” is on display at Eslite R79 Book Street. Featuring a massive picture book-themed exhibition spanning over 64 meters, the showcase not only includes classic fairy tale illustrations by the renowned Japanese picture book master Toshi Yoshida, but also offers family drawing activities and a giant hat photo spot—letting both adults and children immerse themselves in a whimsical art space together.
Six classic fairy tales reimagined by Toshi Yoshida come to life as window displays unique to Eslite R79, creating a story corridor (photo courtesy of Eslite Bookstore, same below)
The highlight of “I Had a Dream – Toshi Yoshida Centennial Art Exhibition” is a cross-disciplinary story creation stretching over 64 meters. Taiwanese bestselling author Zhang Xi and illustrator Kawa Natsu selected common imagery such as children, celestial bodies, and animals from Toshi Yoshida’s collection of over 9,300 works, reassembled and blended them, and added emotionally rich written narratives.
The Toshi Yoshida Centennial Art Exhibition invited Taiwanese rising star bestselling author Zhang Xi and illustrated creator Kawa Natsu to present a 64-meter-long cross-disciplinary story creation. The image shows Kawa Natsu’s work “Night Dreaming.”
Toshi Yoshida’s artworks often center on “children” and she is known as a “painter of childhood.” The covers and illustrations of the book “Totto-Chan: The Little Girl at the Window” were illustrated by Toshi Yoshida. This exhibition also features her renditions of six classic fairy tales including Snow White, Thumbelina, The Blue Bird, The Little Mermaid, The Crane’s Return of a Favor, and Pas de Deux.
A massive installation titled “Children’s Room” by Japanese architectural firm TORAFU ARCHITECTS has crossed the sea to Taiwan for exhibition, transforming into a creative drawing corner for families.
Another highlight of the book street exhibition is the giant hat room “Children’s Room” created by Japanese design team TORAFU ARCHITECTS, where kids can freely draw and unleash their creativity. There is also a yellow hat over two meters tall for photo opportunities, letting visitors capture memories in Toshi Yoshida’s painted world.
From September 16 to October 28, every Sunday afternoon, the “Children’s Room” hosts watercolor blending experience activities, inviting families to get creative together at Eslite R79.
Additionally, during the exhibition period, free watercolor blending experience activities are held every Sunday afternoon, allowing families to joyfully explore the world of painting. On weekdays, visitors can also pick up free self-drawn hat sketches and colored pencils for drawing, and there is even a wall where children can post their own artworks for everyone to admire.
The latest poem “Give Me a Name” by contemporary Japanese poet Shuntarō Tanikawa makes its Taiwan premiere, with 15 new works exhibited alongside 15 illustrations by Toshi Yoshida. The image shows Toshi Yoshida’s eldest son, Matsumoto Takeshi, personally attending the exhibition.
- 1
- 2