ひみつのはなび
On July 2nd, the picture book Secret Firework was published by Hakusensha.
This book is the hardcover edition of One Summer Night, which was originally included as a bonus picture book in the August 2024 issue of kodomoe magazine.
This book is the hardcover edition of One Summer Night, which was originally included as a bonus picture book in the August 2024 issue of kodomoe magazine.
I produced this picture book, when I found out that there was a surprise firework that was set off without notice. This is the firework picture book with luxurious embroidery and applique.
Client:白泉社
Published date: 2025年7月2日
Auther: MICAO
Design: 中嶋香織
Size: 17cmx17cm
Pages: 24P
ISBN978-4-592-76371-0
Inspiration for the Creation
In July 2022, after seeing my picture book ”A Boring Sunday” published by Rironsha, an editor of kodomoe magazine contacted me with a request to create a fireworks-themed picture book using embroidery.
Because fireworks festivals had been scaled down during the COVID-19 pandemic, there were children who had never seen real fireworks. I decided to take on this project in the hope of conveying the beauty and joy of fireworks to them through a picture book.
Because fireworks festivals had been scaled down during the COVID-19 pandemic, there were children who had never seen real fireworks. I decided to take on this project in the hope of conveying the beauty and joy of fireworks to them through a picture book.
Story Setting
Theme: The excitement of experiencing something real for the first time
Motif: Surprise fireworks
Stage Setting: Time: Around 10 minutes from 8:00 p.m.
Place: Between a house and an observation park
Main characters: A young girl who has never seen real fireworks before
Drawing a storyboard
Gathering Materials
Based on the color rough sketches, I collect fabrics, threads, beads, and other materials.
This time, expressing the night sky was essential. To depict everything from bright night skies to pitch-black ones, I bought as many solid indigo and blue fabrics as I could find online – around 20 diverse types just in blue tones. I lay them out side by side and choose the fabrics that best match the intended colors. Sometimes, I also dye fabrics myself.
In the end, there are always some fabrics that I don’t end up using, but I save them to use for other works in the future.
After taking pictures, I edit the images by Photoshop.
This time, I added retouching to enhance the lighting effects.
This time, I added retouching to enhance the lighting effects.
Thank you very much.
