A collection of works by Ayaka "Saki" Obata, "Records of the Seasons". This is a complete collection of seasonal records, carefully selected from zines that have been released and sold out immediately, plus new works. This book allows you to fully enjoy the story-filled four seasons of Japan, illustrated by this artist who is active both domestically and internationally, including as an illustrator for the British magazine "MONOCLE".

Once again, her characteristic skillful perspective and the exquisite placement of props that enrich the scenery create a visually beautiful work. A year passes with the changing of the seasons, and the days are depicted as memories are remembered with various senses.

As each year passes by faster and faster, when I look back and wonder what I was doing, I realize that I have forgotten a lot and am unable to remember very well. But when the seasons come around, I can suddenly recall not only big things but also very small things, such as what I was doing and how I felt around this time last year, or several years ago, triggered by the smell of spring, the sounds of insects in summer, the loneliness of autumn, or the warmth I feel in winter.

— Obata Ayaki

160 pages / A5 size / 500 copies of 5th edition (released January 2024)

Saki Obata

Illustrator / Graphic Designer

Graduated from the Department of Integrated Design at Kuwasawa Design School in 2009. After working as a graphic designer at Nano Nano Graphics Ltd. from 2010 to 2014, she is currently working as a freelance illustrator and graphic designer. In recent years, she has been responsible for illustrations in junior high school ethics textbooks, the British magazine MONOCLE, and promotional comics for the American magazine tokyobike.us. She has also worked on numerous illustrations and designs for books, CD jackets, posters, and more, both in Japan and overseas. For her personal works, she draws illustrations with a seasonal theme.