Nanako Matsuda's Latest Book! Even when apart, 'together' makes it more fun. Announcement of the release of a warm story that nurtures kindness & holding of an original art exhibition
Rironsha Co., Ltd. has released Nanako Matsuda's latest picture book, 'Issho ni Ensoku,' on April 20, 2026. To commemorate this, an original art exhibition will be held at Aoyama Book Center Main Store starting April 29, 2026, showcasing the author's heartwarming world of stories.
📋 Article Processing Timeline
- 📰 Published: May 5, 2026 at 22:30
- 🔍 Collected: May 5, 2026 at 14:01
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: May 5, 2026 at 14:13 (11 min after Collected)
Cover
Rironsha Co., Ltd. (Head office: Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo; Representative Director and President: Katsuya Tasaki) released "Issho ni Ensoku" (written by Nanako Matsuda) on Monday, April 20, 2026. To commemorate the release of "Issho ni Ensoku," an original art exhibition will be held at Aoyama Book Center Main Store starting on Wednesday, April 29, 2026. Please come and visit us.
【Content】
Tomorrow is a picnic. I'm looking forward to it, Koro.
Walking together, eating lunch together, lying down together,
And then, and then...
I had been looking forward to going on a picnic with my cat, Koro, for a long time. But they said cats can't go. No matter what I saw, no matter what I did, my heart was full of Koro. Oh, this stone! Oh, this cloud! Before I knew it, I was on a picnic with Koro.
【Editor's Comment】
It's not easy to change your feelings when something you've been looking forward to doesn't come true. The protagonist in this work, too, had been counting down the days to a picnic with his beloved cat, so he hung his head when he had to leave alone. Everything he saw and did reminded him of his beloved cat, which made him feel even more down, but at the same time, it subtly uplifted his spirits. Even though they were apart and Koro wasn't physically in front of him, with each step of the picnic, he could feel the presence of his loved one and his favorite daily life.
P16-17
P18-19
P22-23
【Event / Original Art Exhibition Information】
● "Issho ni Ensoku" Publication Commemoration Nanako Matsuda Picture Book Original Art Exhibition
To commemorate the publication of "Issho ni Ensoku," the "Issho ni Ensoku" Nanako Matsuda Picture Book Original Art Exhibition will be held at Aoyama Book Center Main Store!
This is a valuable opportunity to view all of the precious original artworks, so please do come. Limited edition autographed books will also be available for purchase.
–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––
Exhibition Venue: Aoyama Book Center Main Store Gallery Space
Address: Cosmos Aoyama Garden Floor (B2F), 5-53-67 Jingumae, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo 150-0001
Exhibition Period: Wednesday (holiday), April 29, 2026 – Tuesday, May 12, 2026 *Until 17:00 on the last day
Opening Hours:
Weekdays: 11:00 – 21:30
Weekends & Holidays: 10:00 – 21:00
Click here for details
––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––
【Author Profile】
Nanako Matsuda
Author: Nanako Matsuda
Born in Hokkaido in 1985. Graduated from Sapporo Otani University Junior College, Department of Fine Arts, Advanced Course in 2009. Received the New Artist Prize at the 73rd Shinseisaku Exhibition in the same year.
In 2011, completed the Master's Program in Painting at Tama Art University Graduate School of Fine Arts. In 2012, after winning the 1st Usui MOE Picture Book Grand Prix, she debuted as a picture book artist with "Chocho" (text by Kaori Ezu / Hakusensha, published in 2013). This work was exhibited at the Bratislava International Biennial of Illustration in 2015. Her other original picture books include "Uta no Suki na Neko Lala to Rure" (Shikansha) and "Dotanbatan Orusuban" (Akane Shobo).
She worked on in-film paintings for the animated film "Josee, the Tiger and the Fish," released in 2020.
【Product Overview】
"Issho ni Ensoku"
Author: Nanako Matsuda
Price: 1,650 JPY (tax included)
Release Date: Monday, April 20, 2026
Format: Modified B5 / 32 pages / Hardcover
ISBN: 978-4-652-20740-6
Publisher: Rironsha Co., Ltd.
Rironsha Website: https://www.rironsha.com/book/20740
Keywords:
Rironsha Co., Ltd. (Head office: Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo; Representative Director and President: Katsuya Tasaki) released "Issho ni Ensoku" (written by Nanako Matsuda) on Monday, April 20, 2026. To commemorate the release of "Issho ni Ensoku," an original art exhibition will be held at Aoyama Book Center Main Store starting on Wednesday, April 29, 2026. Please come and visit us.
【Content】
Tomorrow is a picnic. I'm looking forward to it, Koro.
Walking together, eating lunch together, lying down together,
And then, and then...
I had been looking forward to going on a picnic with my cat, Koro, for a long time. But they said cats can't go. No matter what I saw, no matter what I did, my heart was full of Koro. Oh, this stone! Oh, this cloud! Before I knew it, I was on a picnic with Koro.
【Editor's Comment】
It's not easy to change your feelings when something you've been looking forward to doesn't come true. The protagonist in this work, too, had been counting down the days to a picnic with his beloved cat, so he hung his head when he had to leave alone. Everything he saw and did reminded him of his beloved cat, which made him feel even more down, but at the same time, it subtly uplifted his spirits. Even though they were apart and Koro wasn't physically in front of him, with each step of the picnic, he could feel the presence of his loved one and his favorite daily life.
P16-17
P18-19
P22-23
【Event / Original Art Exhibition Information】
● "Issho ni Ensoku" Publication Commemoration Nanako Matsuda Picture Book Original Art Exhibition
To commemorate the publication of "Issho ni Ensoku," the "Issho ni Ensoku" Nanako Matsuda Picture Book Original Art Exhibition will be held at Aoyama Book Center Main Store!
This is a valuable opportunity to view all of the precious original artworks, so please do come. Limited edition autographed books will also be available for purchase.
–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––
Exhibition Venue: Aoyama Book Center Main Store Gallery Space
Address: Cosmos Aoyama Garden Floor (B2F), 5-53-67 Jingumae, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo 150-0001
Exhibition Period: Wednesday (holiday), April 29, 2026 – Tuesday, May 12, 2026 *Until 17:00 on the last day
Opening Hours:
Weekdays: 11:00 – 21:30
Weekends & Holidays: 10:00 – 21:00
Click here for details
––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––
【Author Profile】
Nanako Matsuda
Author: Nanako Matsuda
Born in Hokkaido in 1985. Graduated from Sapporo Otani University Junior College, Department of Fine Arts, Advanced Course in 2009. Received the New Artist Prize at the 73rd Shinseisaku Exhibition in the same year.
In 2011, completed the Master's Program in Painting at Tama Art University Graduate School of Fine Arts. In 2012, after winning the 1st Usui MOE Picture Book Grand Prix, she debuted as a picture book artist with "Chocho" (text by Kaori Ezu / Hakusensha, published in 2013). This work was exhibited at the Bratislava International Biennial of Illustration in 2015. Her other original picture books include "Uta no Suki na Neko Lala to Rure" (Shikansha) and "Dotanbatan Orusuban" (Akane Shobo).
She worked on in-film paintings for the animated film "Josee, the Tiger and the Fish," released in 2020.
【Product Overview】
"Issho ni Ensoku"
Author: Nanako Matsuda
Price: 1,650 JPY (tax included)
Release Date: Monday, April 20, 2026
Format: Modified B5 / 32 pages / Hardcover
ISBN: 978-4-652-20740-6
Publisher: Rironsha Co., Ltd.
Rironsha Website: https://www.rironsha.com/book/20740
Keywords: