"Ki no Ehon" (Wooden Picture Books) is an original picture book series created by Hyō Design, a design office in Tottori City, Tottori Prefecture. The books are made from Chizu cedar, a type of cedar from Tottori Prefecture. Characterized by its evenly packed grain and beautiful pale pink heartwood, the covers and pages are all made from 7mm thick solid Chizu cedar, and the books feature pop-up elements with cut-out illustrations. Another distinctive feature is the use of Inshu washi, a type of handmade Japanese paper also from Tottori Prefecture, for binding. A total of 10 books have been published, with themes centered around Tottori's nature and wildlife. There are also stories related to the sea, such as "The Flying Fish," "The Matsuba Crab," "Sea Sumo," and "The Bottom of the Sea." Enjoyable for both children and adults, they would make a wonderful gift. "The feel in your hands is lovely, and the scent of wood is wonderful. It's also nice how the stories connect the sea and forestry," (the author says).Tokio Takizawa）

• Size: W12 x D3 x H18 cm
• Contact: Hyou Design

*Prices may vary, so please check with each shop.

Select: Tokio Takizawa Photo: Kohei Yamamoto Text: Shiyo Yamashita