We would not have been able to realize this project without the contribution and support of printing professionals.
At the beginning we weren’t sure who to turn to, but another project we were working on led us to Okamura Printing Industries.
Okamura Printing Industries has a history of 100 years and has been trusted by artists and clients for their deep expertise, working with contemporary artists such as Yayoi Kusama as well as being involved in cultural projects such as the joint research project of the Takematsuzaka Burial Mounds with the Japanese government’s Agency of Cultural Affairs. Above all, the presence of our printing director, Shimizu-san of Okamura Printing Industries, has been invaluable. He has accompanied us on this journey over the past 18 months and has been instrumental in giving us the confidence to bring this project – the publication of our first monograph – into fruition.
This summer, having submitted the final manuscript, the project entered the final phase of printing and binding, Kuni-san and I visited the printing factory in Kurumaki, not far from Asuka Village in Nara Prefecture.
 
Our factory visit kicked off with a warm welcome by the Okamura Printing Industries team, including the CEO and senior management team, the production manager,  head of quality assurance, and the Tokyo office manager. We immediately felt at ease.
Onishi-san, the deputy quality assurance manager explained how their work is supported by the skills and deep expertise of their craftsmen, we came away impressed by the care and precision with which these printing professionals undertake each stage of the printing process. This is a short video of the visit filmed on my iPhone, we hope you enjoy these behind the scenes making of the monograph as well as Kuni-san’s playful appearance in the distinctive “jellyfish-esque” headgear!

Okamura Printing Industries’ main printing facilities are located in a part of Nara steeped in Japan’s ancient history, the surrounding landscape is dotted with kofun (ancient burial mounds) and various historical remains. Asuka Village, famed for its stone burial mounds is a short drive away, and in the hill behind the factory lies the imperial tomb of the Empress Kogyoku, the mother of Emperor Tenji (626-672AD) known for the Taika Reforms. If we hadn’t been visiting in the middle of a heatwave, we would have liked to spend more time exploring the area but this time our visit was limited to a quick day trip to visit the printing factory. We did however drop by the neighboring Kashihara Shrine to pray for the project’s success.

This was our first ever visit to Kashihara Shrine. The shrine is located in the preserved forest sanctuary at the base of Mount Unebi, one of the three Yamato mountains and the shrine precincts resemble Meiji Jingu – but on a larger scale. The sprawling shrine grounds were calm and peaceful, and there was an air of sanctity surrounding the inner shrine. Standing there you had the feeling that all prayers would be heard.
 
It was a happy coincidence to discover that Okamura Printing Industries was located near a place of such beauty and historical significance. I felt this place had a benevolent energy, an energy that would perhaps carry Kuni-san’s art from Japan to the world.