Warning : The following post contains nudity/adult content.

Vampire’s Box (吸血鬼の匣) is a small format, almost pocket-sized art book illustrated by Japanese artist Takato Yamamoto (山本タカト). A graduate of Tokyo Zokei University, the artist worked in advertising before venturing into his own illustration work. With strong influences from Japanese print-making Ukiyo-e, Takato’s work is an exhilarating and at times unsettling fusion of gothic horror and Nihonga. I also find his style of work resembling that of Yoshitaka Amano at times.

This is yet another art book that was the benefit of my time spent in book stores while in Tokyo recently. I’ve come across the artist’s books before but have not had a good chance to browse the contents until this particular trip. I’m not personally a big fan of homo-erotic themes and motifs in art, but Takato’s exceptional illustrations, in particular his contemporary interpretation on Ukiyo-e draws me in.

The illustrations are accompanied by short poetic writings, both in Japanese and English language.

A very tastefully done gothic horror art book with vampire motifs and beautiful Ukiyo-e/nihonga influences. If opportunity allows, I would like to pick some of the other art books by Takato Yamamoto ( if they are not too overtly/explicitly adult in nature ) for review. This one comes recommended.

“Vampire’s Box / Takato Yamamoto 吸血鬼の匣 山本タカト” art book details :

Dimensions – 5.71 x 5.71 x 0.79 inches
Softcover, 224 pages
Full color, In Japanese/English language

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