Kaikei No Niji (Accounting of Rainbows)

About

会

計

の

虹

(Accounting of Rainbows)

2024

C.K.Itamura

Using the form and construction techniques of Japanese Meiji era (1868-1912) accounts books as a point of departure, for Kaikei no Niji (Accounting of Rainbows), Itamura applied itajime and shibori dyeing techniques to delicate unryu and kozo paper to create vibrant, colorful pages and bound them to create this 552 page tabbed book structure to serve as a reminder that creating, receiving, and distributing happiness is worthwhile, and that the remembrance of these transactions is a valuable pursuit which, when reflected upon, serves to lift spirits in times of darkness. The tatami, zabuton and wooden table provide the viewer with an environment of stillness from which to view and contemplate the grayed pages interspersed throughout the book which serve as an image mnemonic reflected in this haiku:

arashi no nochi wa niji

o mitsukeru tame ni chūibukaku kansatsu

suru koto o wasurenaide kudasai

remember to look

carefully after the storm

to find rainbows there

– C.K.Itamura

Book

unryu, kozo, acrylic paint, washi koyori, hemp thread, cotton rope, cotton paper, sumi ink

itajime and shibori dyed by C.K.Itamura at In Cahoots Residency and Peach Farm Studio

concept, design, haiku, bookbinding, calligraphy by C.K.Itamura at Peach Farm Studio

book structure based on Japanese Meiji era (1868-1912) accounts books as a point of departure

Sonoma County, California

Installation

zabuton designed and sewn by C.K.Itamura

wooden table constructed by Doug Praetzel

readymade tatami

Exhibition

Dialogues 2024 at SFArtsEd Minnesota Street Gallery, San Francisco, CA February 10 thru March 16

Thank you

Macy Chadwick, In Cahoots Residency, Conrad Praetzel, Diana Jameson, Doug Praetzel, R.C.Wong