こんぱすせんせい (konpasu no sensei) looks like "compass teacher" to me. But "konpasu" isn't written in Katakana, which is usually used for foreign imports, so I'm not sure.
The title is indeed "King of Circles" (Maru no Osama), volume 2 in a text book series called "Science Friend" (Kagaku no Tomo).
The cover is the last scan, which is a little confusing. Probably because Japanese books read right to left? ;-)
"Compass Teacher" is correct for the first part on the first scan (although in English one would say Mr. or Miss Compass). It's all in hiragana (no katakana or kanji) and has spaces because it is a children's book.
The full text in the first scan is (roughly translated) "It's Mr. Compass" "I can draw any kind of circle."
By the way, although the set of pages in the post is obviously just a selection, the gist of the text is a number of different (mostly round) objects claiming to be the "King of Circles," in a variety of ways meant to be entertaining to small children.
hello here's one of his best book http://www.amazon.co.jp/%E7%B2%9F%E6%B4%A5%E6%BD%94%E3%83%87%E3%82%B6%E3%82%A4%E3%83%B3%E5%9B%B3%E7%B5%B5-%E7%B2%9F%E6%B4%A5-%E6%BD%94/dp/4861520657/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1262680000&sr=8-1
Will, I wasn't familiar with the books myself, and based my comment on the cover text. A little googling later it looks like it is a periodical (see http://www.fujisan.co.jp/Product/1281683734 although that's in Japanese), and still being published today. From that page, Kagaku no Tomo is "the first monthly science picture book in the world, founded in 1969." In small print on the cover it also says "Hajimete deau kagaku ehon 23 go," which means, roughly, "My first science picture book #23." That would fit it being the 23rd issue, almost two years after the series started. So the 2 on the cover probably means February 1971. I expect a variety of illustrators were involved in the books, judging from the current selection. I don't know if Kiyoshi Awazu designed any more in the series, but there is a pretty extensive gallery of his work at his official site here:
best blog ever!!!
ReplyDeleteThis title is "King of Circle".
ReplyDeleteこんぱすせんせい (konpasu no sensei) looks like "compass teacher" to me. But "konpasu" isn't written in Katakana, which is usually used for foreign imports, so I'm not sure.
ReplyDeleteThe title is indeed "King of Circles" (Maru no Osama), volume 2 in a text book series called "Science Friend" (Kagaku no Tomo).
ReplyDeleteThe cover is the last scan, which is a little confusing. Probably because Japanese books read right to left? ;-)
"Compass Teacher" is correct for the first part on the first scan (although in English one would say Mr. or Miss Compass). It's all in hiragana (no katakana or kanji) and has spaces because it is a children's book.
The full text in the first scan is (roughly translated) "It's Mr. Compass" "I can draw any kind of circle."
By the way, although the set of pages in the post is obviously just a selection, the gist of the text is a number of different (mostly round) objects claiming to be the "King of Circles," in a variety of ways meant to be entertaining to small children.
ReplyDeleteThank you so much! I added this info to the post.
ReplyDeleteColin, have you seen other books in the series? I wonder if Azazu or another big designer worked on them.
Will
hello
ReplyDeletehere's one of his best book
http://www.amazon.co.jp/%E7%B2%9F%E6%B4%A5%E6%BD%94%E3%83%87%E3%82%B6%E3%82%A4%E3%83%B3%E5%9B%B3%E7%B5%B5-%E7%B2%9F%E6%B4%A5-%E6%BD%94/dp/4861520657/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1262680000&sr=8-1
the book was reprinted,
originaly 1970.
Ack! These are so great! I saved all of these. The colours are so great here.
ReplyDeleteMeraviglioso!
ReplyDeleteYou are the king of beauty. We salute your hard work and dedication.
ReplyDeleteI am so glad every time I pay you a visit!
ReplyDeleteHi again! Thanks for the mention in the update.
ReplyDeleteWill, I wasn't familiar with the books myself, and based my comment on the cover text. A little googling later it looks like it is a periodical (see http://www.fujisan.co.jp/Product/1281683734 although that's in Japanese), and still being published today. From that page, Kagaku no Tomo is "the first monthly science picture book in the world, founded in 1969." In small print on the cover it also says "Hajimete deau kagaku ehon 23 go," which means, roughly, "My first science picture book #23." That would fit it being the 23rd issue, almost two years after the series started. So the 2 on the cover probably means February 1971. I expect a variety of illustrators were involved in the books, judging from the current selection. I don't know if Kiyoshi Awazu designed any more in the series, but there is a pretty extensive gallery of his work at his official site here:
http://www.kiyoshiawazu.com
For example, 1970s book designs:
http://www.kiyoshiawazu.com/en/works.php?lang=en&cg=4&year=1970&id=373&page=0
... And a bit more googling after that, I found this blog collection of children's picture books, with several issues of Kagaku no Tomo:
ReplyDeletehttp://koorom.exblog.jp/i9/
Here's a post on this exact edition:
http://koorom.exblog.jp/4854262/
The blogger seems very surprised that such a big name in graphic design was involved in the book, so I'd have to guess it was unusual, at least.
Colin, thanks for your sleuthing. Some of the other issues look great too. Maybe some day the company will digitally archive them the old issues.
ReplyDeleteWill
Wonderful!
ReplyDeleteNice link from Colin too..