Are picture books just for children?
While many picture-book events are aimed at children, there are events that adults without children, like the writer, can attend simply because they love picture books.
Tsuzuki no Ehonya, a picture-book specialty shop in Kurashiki City, holds “Ehon Yakai,” an event for adults, once a month.
In fact, I’ve attended Ehon Yakai several times before, and thought, “I want more adults who love picture books to know about this event!” So I went to cover the session held on Tuesday, January 14, 2025.
The information presented here was accurate when this article was published in February 2025. Please note that it may differ from current information.
What is “Ehon Yakai,” an event for adults who love picture books?
“Ehon Yakai” is an event for adults who love picture books, held once a month by Tsuzuki no Ehonya.
Bring one picture book you recommend and introduce it. Over drinks and snacks, everyone talks passionately about picture books and shares their thoughts.
Anyone who loves picture books is welcome to participate.
Announcements are posted on Instagram and Facebook, and advance reservations are required.
The fee is 1,500 yen (tax included), including drinks and snacks.
There were 16 participants at the session held on Tuesday, January 14, 2025, including shop owner Tsuzuki and me.
Ehon Yakai took place in a warm, relaxed atmosphere. Here’s what happened that day.
Getting more and more immersed in the world of picture books! Ehon Yakai begins
Ehon Yakai began in 2018, and this was its 71st session. Many are regulars, but participants come from a wide range of professions and backgrounds, and span a broad age range.
According to Tsuzuki, every session has newcomers and people returning after a long time, and there has never once been the exact same group of participants.
At Ehon Yakai, each participant brings one picture book they’d like to recommend and introduces it.
Any picture-book theme is welcome. If there’s time, reading aloud is welcome too.
Although there were 16 participants this time, no one introduced the same picture book.
I introduced a picture book called “Hey, Hey, Find Me.”
Its theme is the connection between hearts. A distinctive feature is the repeated phrase “Hey, hey, find me,” which asks about that connection.
It’s also fun to find the other animals hidden within the large illustrations of animals.
Some people introduced seasonal picture books, such as a picture book about mochi…
One person introduced a picture book whose story connected with their own past.
One of the fun things about Ehon Yakai is enjoying the introductions, including the background behind why each person chose their book.
Even with a long-selling title or a book you already know, seeing it through someone else’s perspective can lead to new discoveries.
This time, someone even introduced a picture book in Korean. We had a lively discussion about differences in the title compared with the Japanese edition and the book’s size.
The diverse range of picture-book introductions kept me excited throughout.
It made me realize just how many picture books I still don’t know about.
Several people also read aloud, and I realized that being read to as an adult can make you feel so wonderfully enriched.
Everyone spoke so passionately about their books that you could tell how much they loved them, and their enthusiastic way of talking drew me further and further into the world of picture books.
The picture book that left the strongest impression on me was “The Streetlight’s Move,” introduced by shop owner Tsuzuki.
A streetlight that was unwanted wherever it went eventually finds a place in town beside a park bench. The story follows how it comforts people worn down by life as they sit on the bench.
The story is lovely, and the illustration of the streetlight illuminating the town at night warmed my heart.
New Year’s special session! ① What will this year bring?
Since this Picture Book Evening was held in January, there was also a fortune-telling rice cracker. Apparently, it is a regular tradition at the January gathering each year.
Those who ate a fortune-telling rice cracker and found a “great fortune” slip inside received a tea set ticket that could be used at Tsuzuki no Ehonya.
And, amazingly, the fortune-telling rice cracker I ate had a “great fortune” slip inside, and I received a tea set ticket!
No matter how old you are, it feels wonderful to get a great fortune in a fortune slip.
I plan to use this ticket to enjoy some tea the next time I visit Tsuzuki no Ehonya.
New Year Special Gathering! ② Bring Something That Feels Like New Year
Since this Picture Book Evening was a “New Year Special,” before introducing picture books, we shared things that felt like New Year.
We had been asked in advance to “bring something that feels like New Year,” so everyone brought something of their own choosing.
One person shared their first calligraphy of the year. They said they were a calligraphy teacher.
One person brought a chanchanko (padded Japanese vest). The other participants exclaimed, “Ah, that really does feel like New Year!”
It’s really interesting how everyone has a different answer to “What says New Year to you?”
New Year Special Gathering! ③ Declare Your Goals for the Year
Before introducing picture books, we declared our goals for the year.
The other participants listened to each declaration and offered yoshuku (celebratory wishes for a future success).
They congratulated each person as if their goal had already come true, saying “Congratulations!” and celebrating in advance with applause and cheers. (The idea is that if you act as though your wish has already come true, it is more likely to actually come true.)
The goals everyone shared covered a wide range: some were work-related, while others were about hobbies, losing weight, and more.
Even though my goal hasn’t come true yet, just having people around me cheer me on made me feel excited and think that maybe I could give it a try.
From the Writer
Spending a happy time talking about picture books with fellow picture book lovers left me feeling truly fulfilled.
It was truly an event where picture books and people came together in a once-in-a-lifetime encounter.
I discovered many new picture books at this Picture Book Evening, and I have a feeling that more will soon be added to my bookshelf at home.
In addition to Picture Book Evening, Tsuzuki no Ehonya regularly holds a variety of events, including original-art exhibitions, events featuring picture book authors, and workshops. Check Tsuzuki no Ehonya’s Instagram or Facebook for the latest information.
If you love picture books, why not join Picture Book Evening and immerse yourself in the world of picture books?
71st Picture Book Evening: New Year Special—Let’s Simply Enjoy Picture Books Information
| Name | 71st Picture Book Evening: New Year Special—Let’s Simply Enjoy Picture Books |
|---|---|
| Date | January 14, 2025 |
| Location | 694-7 Kawairi, Kurashiki City, Okayama Prefecture |
| Participation fee (tax included) | 1,500 yen |
| Website | Tsuzuki no Ehonya |
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