Today I received an unexpected gift of a slim book titled Hagaki to tomo ni (together with postcards) containing photographs of handmade art postcards. On first glance they appear to be traditional etegami, but a closer look reveals them to be etegami-collage hybrids. The "drawing" part of each postcard is, in most cases, shapes cut out of old kimono fabric or obi (the stiff sashes worn with kimono) and pasted onto a washi card. The accompanying words are done in the traditional way, with ink brushes and sumi ink.
The book is a collection of the works of postcard artist Kimura Atsuko. The collection includes a great variety of styles, which tells me that she really enjoys experimenting. Best of all, the words are thoughtful and thought-provoking. It's an encouraging collection for those of us who don't see a problem in stretching the boundaries of traditional etegami. The attached image is from the title page of the book. It depicts a flounder (or perhaps, turbot) cut from kimono fabric, and the accompanying words translate roughly to mean: When one is happy, words are round.
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