Tokorozawa (所沢) is a city located in Saitama Prefecture, Japan. It is also the setting behind Ghibli Studio’s much beloved film My Neighbour Totoro. This art book by Miyazaki Akemi ( an animator who worked on Totoro and also wife of director Miyazaki Hayao ) is a collection of delightful watercolor drawings showcasing the different flora that can be found in Tokorozawa over the four seasons.

Totoro concept art boards as well as an interview with Miyazaki Hayao and also a short section on Ghibli producer Suzuki Toshio photography field trip in the forests of Tokorozawa are also included.

(above & below) Totoro concept art boards by Miyazaki Hayao. Miyazaki-san drew inspiration for these drawings from the walks he told in Tokorozawa. Some of these art work are also included in the Totoro picture book as well as the Art Of Totoro book.

During my 6 years of stay in Tokyo I was living in Tanashi ( current day Nishi-Tokyoshi ), which was relatively near to Tokorozawa by way of the Seibu-Shinjuku line, so I have a very fond memory of the area.

Ghibli fans and folks who are interested in just the art work in Totoro will probably like the Art Of Totoro book more. If you can understand Japanese and are keen to learn a little more about the background and setting behind Totoro, this is a great book to pick up.

“The Birthplace Of Totoro – Miyazaki Akemi トトロの生まれたところ 宮崎朱美” art book details :

– Dimensions – 19.6 x 17.8 x 1.2 cm
– Softcover with jacket, 80 pages
– Full color (watercolor), In Japanese

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