Is anyone here?

The content of this book was originally published in the Japanese magazine "MONKEY". It is a poem "Is Anyone There?" by the well-known Japanese children's book writer and poet Naoko Kudo. 〉(「いる」じゃん), with illustrations by Matsumoto Dayo. Later they were compiled into a book.

Naoko Kudo is Taiyo Matsumoto’s mother, and she was also the person who recommended him to read the comics of Katsuhiro Otomo and Akio Yoshida when he was in high school, and initiated his comic career. Both mother and son are talented creators with prolific publications, and this book is a rare collaboration between them. Also because they are mother and son, Matsumoto Dayo has another unrestricted freedom in the interpretation of the picture.

Naoko Kudo's poems are written in spoken language, with simple words that retain the interest of reading. She often writes about nature, showing an animistic view of the universe——

When the earth was still one person,
I feel lonely and want companionship.

I feel very bored at night,
While dozing off the earth, a companion was born from his eyelids.

There are many creatures in the oceans, mountains, forests and wilderness.
The earth is getting more and more lively.

"Is anyone here? "The theme is imagining the emptiness and loneliness at the beginning of the earth, combined with the vast landscapes meticulously painted by Matsumoto Taiyo. Then a childlike rhythm sounded, and each page gradually brought life - animals, plants, urban buildings, and still lifes of life. In the space where words and images match each other, readers can see little children opening their eyes to feel, closing their eyes to imagine, and through the childish tone and tone of the entire poem, talking and playing with life and existence itself. Finally return to your own existence and your own emotions.

Ladybugs, tomatoes and leaves also compete for the sun to pinch their cheeks with its rays.
It's cool, cool! They all showed off their chests.

I also have to dream a lot,
Go out and say hello to the world.

Matsumoto Dayo once said in an interview - "I have always had the impression of 'so passionate!' about Ms. Naoko's writing. I wonder if it is because of the blood relationship. So would it be okay to add some low-key paintings? It has become very interesting? It is difficult to describe it in words, but the more low-key the painting, the more convincing the text." It is not difficult to find that the still life depictions in this book are all with simple and extremely delicate lines, paired with gentle and restrained tones. Presented in the picture, the extremely close-up view of life scenery is paired with warm and lovely poetic words. The space outside the words is sometimes interspersed with broad, quiet and peaceful scenery. In addition to showing a more pure and clear vision, it also gives a perceptual atmosphere, which is closely linked to the rhythm of the poem.

The earth embraces me.

Earth,
I really want to hold you all the time.

As the author Naoko Kudo mentioned in the interview - "On sleepless nights, I like to fantasize: It doesn't matter. The earth will hold me alone. I don't feel pain at all." When I feel sad and lonely, Imagining the many lives on earth talking to themselves and being with themselves is exactly what "Is Someone There?" 》The gentle power. Looking directly at life and talking to all kinds of things in existence is not just a fantasy, but also a comfort for oneself and for lonely people. In the process of reading this book, readers will see the world full of vitality and vitality seen in the gentle eyes through the guidance of the summer boy, or the mother and son duo of Matsumoto Dayo and Kudo Naoko.