【Kyuryudo Co., Ltd.】 A symphony of love, played by life and color, unfolds in an underwater world shrouded in deep blue! The latest book by Akiyoshi Ito, “Discoverer of Undersea Colors,” “Miraculous Sea Tales: Ito Akiyoshi,” was published on August 20th! Kyuryudo Co., Ltd. Press Release: August 28, 2025 A symphony of love, played by life and color, unfolds in an underwater world shrouded in deep blue! The latest book by Akiyoshi Ito, “Discoverer of Undersea Colors,” “Miraculous Sea Tales: Akiyoshi Ito,” was published on August 20th! This hot summer, go on an underwater adventure with a book! Living creatures thrive in the ocean, living in amazing harmony and cooperation. This captivating photo essay showcases the unique colors and shapes of the creatures that gather in the coral forest. Image
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https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/129182/60/129182-60-f8aefb037773f4b85cbbe88eb6e19d5a-1568×785.jpg A mysterious universe of life and color After encountering the coral reefs of Okinawa and being struck by the pristine landscape of life, Ito became a quester for underwater beauty. He discovered the colors of the underwater world and established the unique genre of “fine art photography.” His work has garnered international acclaim through solo exhibitions at the Smithsonian Museum of Art in the United States, the Palais des Portes Dorées in France, the Museo Nacional Alinari in Italy, and the UNESCO Paris headquarters. In his works, the ocean surface becomes a giant lens, drawing the sun to the surface and creating a mysterious space that seems to confront the cosmos.
https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/129182/60/129182-60-dc913ae38dc72377c05e7087bddadca3-1570×789.jpg p.154-155 “Shintenchi” A vivid harmony of colors reflected in the paradise of life Adorable fish from all over the world, including Okinawa, Izu, Thailand, and the Philippines, appear one after another in rich contrasts. With every turn of the page, you will find new discoveries and surprises, from the popular clownfish to gorgeous coral reefs and rarely seen tropical fish, providing a feast for the eyes. The stunning formations woven by nature have a delicate beauty that will nourish your soul.
https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/129182/60/129182-60-eb780dec91f28787ed432e0c7012dd5b-1569×786.jpg p.116-117 “Festival of the Soul” Make eye contact with the fish!? A distinctive feature of Akiyoshi Ito’s works is that many of them are composed in such a way that the fish and the viewer are staring back at each other. The fish’s expression, as if they are trying to speak to us, is striking, and we are amazed at how expressive creatures they are. Ito himself says, “No matter how many fish there are, they always stare intently at us.” This miraculous series of photographs, which seem to be having a conversation with us right there, stimulates our limitless imagination.
https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/129182/60/129182-60-312f2436fe0c532dbcaa98f7f0864982-1569×787.jpg p.226-227 “Wandering” The door to underwater exploration is open for parents and children to enjoy together! This book includes furigana for upper elementary school students. By reading aloud, we hope you will fully stimulate your five senses and connect with our marine friends. Ito’s stories are filled with warm love and joy. They can also be read as picture books or illustrated encyclopedias, fostering interest in unseen creatures and the natural world, making them safe for the whole family to enjoy. The book depicts the unknown beauty and breath of nature, as well as the various stories told by its creatures. The ocean, our mother, is filled with mysteries beyond imagination and evokes the profound history of life. Ito began his artistic career as a sculptor. While exhibiting his sculptures, he also explored the uncharted territory of “physical education in early childhood education.” He shared his theories and practices with the world based on his academic background, and as the founder of early childhood physical education, he worked on the physical and mental development of children for over 40 years, becoming a leading figure in Japan. His educational philosophy continues to influence the nation today. I hope that through this book, readers will learn more deeply about the importance of “nurturing life with a warm heart” through their encounters with our sea creatures.
https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/129182/60/129182-60-68e3b0beb86fa98756b48c2f6c4485a3-1567×787.jpg p.162-163 “Appearance” ◎Product Information “Miraculous Sea Story: Akiyoshi Ito” Target audience: General art, biological science Release date: August 20, 2025 Price: ¥3,960 (tax included) Author: Akiyoshi Ito Publisher: Kyuryudo Co., Ltd. Main specifications: Paperback with dust jacket and obi, Format: B5 variant (257 x 188 mm), Number of pages: 252, Number of illustrations: 123
https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/129182/60/129182-60-8dd579beca326395dcec003163a36cc4-1570×785.jpg p.56-57 “Confused” ◎Author Profile Akiyoshi Ito Graduated from the Department of Fine Arts (majoring in sculpture) at Nihon University College of Art. While creating sculptures, he encountered the ocean of Okinawa and established the genre of “fine art photography,” elevating the underwater world to the level of art. Since then, he has continued to work globally as an artist (sculptor). ○Major Exhibitions 2000 “Akiyoshi Ito: Okinawa Summit Commemorative Exhibition – Okinawa’s Miraculous Sea” Ryubo Hall 2005 “Akiyoshi Ito: Smithsonian National Museum Exhibition” Smithsonian S. Dillon Ripley Center International Gallery 2012: “Akiyoshi Ito: French National Palais de la Porte Dorée Gallery Exhibition” Paris, France / Invited by the French Ministry of Culture. 2012: “Akiyoshi Ito: Italian National Alinari Photography Museum Exhibition” Florence, Italy / Works and materials are permanently preserved. 2015: “Akiyoshi Ito in Paris UNESCO Exhibition” UNESCO, 2015: “Akiyoshi Ito Educational Traveling Exhibition” The Permanent Mission of Japan to UNESCO will begin lending works free of charge, mainly to Paris, on behalf of Ito. 2017 “Akiyoshi Ito Exhibition” Miurato Village, Miura Museum of Art ○Major Publications Kelpin / “The Color Temperature of Life” (Fumeido Shoten, 1994), “Early Childhood Physical Education for Building Body and Mind” (NHK Publishing, 1995), “The Miraculous Sea” (Mitsumura Suiko Shoin, 1999), “The Miraculous Sea of Okinawa” (Mitsumura Suiko Shoin, 2000), “The Sea of the Dragon Palace” (Kyuryudo, 2010), “The Sea Has Its Poetry” (Kadokawa Gakugei Publishing, 2010), “Angels in the Park” (Kyuryudo, 2023), “Angels and Demons Running Through the Wilderness” (Sanseido Shoten/Soeisha, 2024), etc. ◎From the editor The source of all creativity lies in the world of marine creatures, clothed in designs of life and color. Akiyoshi Ito visits the ocean with his camera, witnessing the diverse creatures he sees in such unique yet
exquisitely peaceful harmony that it makes the viewer want to say hello. A heart-filling visual world unfolds before you. A world to be cherished!
https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/129182/60/129182-60-1651dd4a2cb1d8a7a649edeecf79db90-1569×787.jpg p.176-177 “Merchen Stage” About Kyuryudo Kyuryudo is an art book publisher founded in 1923, celebrating its 100th anniversary last year in 2023. The company name Kyuryu comes from the French word “CURIEUX,” which means “seeking artistic or intellectual curiosity” or
“constantly seeking the new,” and was coined by the painter Ryuzaburo Umehara. Seeking the ideal of the oriental “dragon,” we continue our publishing journey, constantly unearthing new fountains of beauty, from traditional beauty to art picture books, flying freely through the clouds of the times. [Company Profile] Company name: Kyuryudo Co., Ltd. Head office location: 1st floor, Bungeishunju New Building, 3-23 Kioicho, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo Representative Director: Kinya Adachi Established: 1923 Business: Publishing of books related to art and lifestyle culture, planning and production of fine art prints, buying and selling of fine art HP: https://www.kyuryudo.co.jp/ For more information about this release