Friday, June 23, 2017

Japan 2017


This year I turn 88 years old and am very happy that in April I traveled to Japan for the opening of an exhibition of my work at the Setagaya Art Museum. It was a great honor and a truly meaningful occasion in my life and in my longtime deeply felt connection with the beautiful country of Japan, the country that inspired Bobbie and I to open our own museum of picture book art. Thank you wonderful friends in Japan for your warm welcome and kindness.



My friends at Kaisei-sha, my longtime publisher in Japan, made me a cake.



Here I am with my new friend at his handmade paper store in Tokyo.



Taking a stroll and doing some sightseeing with my second generation publisher.



The press opening at the Setagaya Art Museum.



Signing books at the Setagaya Art Museum.



I was delighted to see Mr. Mori, the translator of The Very Hungry Caterpillar. He is 99 years old.



And very happy to see Mr. Kazuo Iwamura, with whom I collaborated on the book Where Are You Going? To See My Friend! He came for a visit with his two grandchildren.

12 comments:

  1. Thank you so much for sharing! It truly is wonderful to travel and connect with people. Happy Birthday! May you be blessed with many more.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Happy Birthday Mr.Carle!We truly wish that you are blessed with all the happiness, health,joy and prosperity in your life. My daughter Elisa is your fan,she will always keep the beautiful dolphin you painted for her a few months ago. Greetings from San Diego,CA!

    ReplyDelete
  3. A very Happy Birthday Mr.Eric Carle!It is wonderful to hear about your exhibition in Japan.Wishing you the best of health and happiness.
    From my daughter Mila and myself.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Thanks for letting us see this experience with you. My children grew up with your wonderful books! Thanks for sharing your talents and joy with us.

    ReplyDelete
  5. I like the book Where are you going?To see my friend! Thank you very much.

    ReplyDelete
  6. Wonderful to see that your art is loved around the world and across cultures. Happy belated birthday!

    ReplyDelete
  7. Happy Birthday Mr Carle! You are such a huge inspiration to me. I loved your books as a child and now I'm working as an illustrator too. I also gifted all of my 5 children with their own copy of Hungry Caterpillar as well as many of your other books. It's wonderful to read your blog & hear about your travels to Japan. Very best wishes to you! Kate from Australia. Xx

    ReplyDelete
  8. What a trip! And at 88, happy birthday. Thank you for all of your work and treasures over the years. They are truly timeless ❤️

    ReplyDelete
  9. You have entertained me,and my family, for many years. We love your books! Happy birthday 🎂

    ReplyDelete
  10. Happy birthday to a loving legend. As an educator and lifelong child, I thank you for your optimism and wish you many more years of health and happiness. As my students say... Eric Carle, You're a Rock Star

    ReplyDelete
  11. I hope you have the happiest birthday! My son is 2 and a half and his favorite book is The Very Hungry Caterpillar. He is saying lines that he has memorized from the book daily and loves to make things "pop!" and have an imaginary caterpillar come out!

    ReplyDelete
  12. Happy Birthday, dear Eric!! A trip to Japan sounds wonderful, thank you for sharing! I used to teach Russian and had many, many classes and bilingual story times reading your amazing books! Now I write my own stories, and my brother, talented artist, illustrates them. Thank you so much for the light and love you bring to our world! We love you!

    ReplyDelete