Yumeji's Kawaii 017 （ブックデザイン（１）草花モチーフ）Book Design (1) Grass and Flower Motifs

大正期には洋紙の生産が和紙を超え、さらに写真製版や印刷の進歩に伴い、本の生産量と質が大きく飛躍しました。そして相次ぐ本の出版に応じ、時代色や流行を取り入れ、限られた画面の中にデザインを施す手腕、ならびに作家の個性と美的な訴求力が装幀において要求されるようになりましたが、いずれの条件も叶えていた夢二はこの分野でも活躍し、表紙を始め函（はこ）、カバー、見返し、扉まで本の各部分を彩りました。

また、ブックデザインの仕事となる書物装幀を、夢二は明治末から亡くなる1934年にかけて約270冊手がけました。装幀を担当した書物は小説や歌集が多く、本のタイトルに草花の名前がついているものは、それに従い植物図案をよく取り入れましたが、それに限らず身近な草花から創作による架空の植物まで、個性あふれる装幀を施して、夢二は書籍を美しく彩りました。

書物の中には手のひらサイズの小型本もあり、夢二による植物図案が可憐に装飾されています。またアール・ヌーヴォー調に描かれた草花は、やわらかな曲線と木版刷りの色味が相まって、ぬくもりが伝わってくるような趣に満ちています。 ★★★ Book Design (Part 1) - Grass and Flower Motifs

During the Taisho period, the production of Western paper surpassed that of Japanese paper, and with the advancement of photoengraving and printing, the production volume and quality of books made a great leap forward. In response to the successive publications of books, the design of the book required the ability to incorporate the colors and trends of the time and to apply a design within a limited screen, as well as the author's individuality and aesthetic appeal. Yumeji met all of these requirements, and was active in this field as well, decorating every part of the book, from the cover to the box, cover, endpapers, and front page.

Yumeji also began to design books, which is a part of the book design work, at the end of the Meiji period. He designed around 270 books up until his death in 1934. Many of the books he designed were novels and poetry collections, and for those with the name of a flower or plant in the title, he would often incorporate botanical designs accordingly, but he also beautifully decorated books with unique designs for everything from familiar flowers and plants to fictional plants.

Some of his books are small, palm-sized, and are beautifully decorated with Yumeji's botanical designs. The flowers, painted in an Art Nouveau style, are full of charm and warmth, with soft curves and woodblock-printed colors.