Making a kamishibai (picture-story show) based on the Hiroshima Panels.
Arthur Binard, an American-born poet, began the “impossible” attempt in summer of 2012.

Various experiments were required to finish the kamishibai, such as writing down a new script, selecting parts from the paintings and cropping them out, furthermore inverting images, changing colors, as well as combining backgrounds from different parts. The structure of painting and kamishibai is different. It would not be a kamishibai to just clip the image from the painting. It is required to change something in the composition for kamishibai. Binard had experimented for years on the process that allowed him to reflect on what kamishibai is as well as to reconsider what the Hiroshima Panels are.

7 years have passed since he started to experiment with kamishibai and it was time for him to publish a new release, which was Chitchai koe (Small Voices) in May 2019. The narrative of this kamishibai draws a careful listening of the voices of “cells” that represent the origin of life.

Maruki Gallery holds the summer exhibition Arthur Binard: Finally Finished the Kamishibai! to celebrate the launch of the publication. The exhibition would uncover the hidden secrets in the works and draws new perspective on “the Hiroshima Panels”. You will be pleasantly surprised while immersing in the world of Arthur Binard and the Maruki duo.

Supported by Doshinsha

Title: Small Voices
Publisher: Doshinasha
Retail Price: ¥2,970 (¥2,700 + tax)
First Published: May 20th, 2019
Format: B4 (Size: 26.5 x 38.2 cm)
Pages: 16 sheets
A promotion video of Chitchai Koe (Small Voices) by the publisher Doshinasha

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Exhibition-related events

Opening events
Performing Kamishibai Chitchai Koe (Small Voices)
Date and Time: Saturday, July 20th, 1:00 p.m. and 2:00 p.m.
Admission: No booking is required (With the exception of museum’s entry fees)
Speaker: Terutake Tsuji (Actor) and Noriko Yamaya (Actress)

Seikatsu Club Has Come!
Pop-up food sampling at “Aozora café” by Seikatsu Club (The stall will be sheltered in case of rain.)
Co-sponsored: Seikatsu Club Consumers’ Co-operative Union (Saitama)

Hiroshima Atomic Bomb Anniversary at Maruki Gallery
Performing Kamishibai Chitchai koe (Small Voices)
Date and Time: Tuesday, August 6th, 1:00 p.m.*
Admission: No booking is required (With the exception of museum’s entry fees)
Speaker: Terutake Tsuji (Actor), Noriko Yamaya (Actress), Hisako Maruki (Picture book writer) and Yukinori Okamura (Curator of Maruki Gallery for the Hiroshima Panels)
*There are also other events happening on the same day, such as a talk event by Bunyo Ishikawa (Photographer) and the ceremony of floating lanterns.

Performing Kamishibai Chitchai Koe (Small Voices) and Talk by Arthur Binard
Date and Time: Saturday, August 17th, 2:00 p.m.
Admission: ¥500 (With the exception of museum’s entry fees, quota: 60 pax, booking is required)
Speaker: Arthur Binard (Poet)
Interviewer: Yukinori Okamura (Curator of Maruki Gallery for the Hiroshima Panels)
*We accept bookings after July 20th via e-mail, fax, and telephone. Maximum 5-person per group. Please note that we will stop accepting bookings once all the slots have been filled.

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