'Why was yellow hated and stripes considered dangerous?' Design historian Yukumasa Matsuda releases new book 'Adventure of Chain' on May 27th.
Kawade Shobo Shinsha will release 'Adventure of Chain: A History of Discovering Relationships and Design' by graphic designer Yukumasa Matsuda on May 27, 2026. The book explores cultural history through the lens of design.
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- 📰 Published: May 25, 2026 at 16:00
- 🔍 Collected: May 25, 2026 at 07:31
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Kawade Shobo Shinsha (Shinjuku, Tokyo; Representative Director: Yu Onodera) will release 'Adventure of Chain: A History of Discovering Relationships and Design' by Yukumasa Matsuda (3,520 yen including tax) on May 27, 2026.
Yukumasa Matsuda has been at the forefront of graphic design for over 40 years. Known not only for his stylish designs but also as a highly erudite intellectual, Matsuda interprets the 'strange causality' hidden within vast archives of graphics from throughout history. Through the lens of design, he unravels the 'chain' of human history and culture.
For example, 'stripe patterns' and the color 'yellow,' which are familiar today, were once avoided in certain times and regions, with their meanings drastically shifting alongside changing values. The book also addresses modern issues such as recurring wars and escalating discrimination, reframing them through the choices and structures of historical events.
Furthermore, the book includes a physical gimmick unique to printed media. When shifting the edges to the left, the 'Girl with a Pearl Earring' appears; shifting them to the right reveals the cover art of the first issue of 'The Yellow Book.' The work features playful visual effects created by printing pages with subtly different widths.
Yukumasa Matsuda has been at the forefront of graphic design for over 40 years. Known not only for his stylish designs but also as a highly erudite intellectual, Matsuda interprets the 'strange causality' hidden within vast archives of graphics from throughout history. Through the lens of design, he unravels the 'chain' of human history and culture.
For example, 'stripe patterns' and the color 'yellow,' which are familiar today, were once avoided in certain times and regions, with their meanings drastically shifting alongside changing values. The book also addresses modern issues such as recurring wars and escalating discrimination, reframing them through the choices and structures of historical events.
Furthermore, the book includes a physical gimmick unique to printed media. When shifting the edges to the left, the 'Girl with a Pearl Earring' appears; shifting them to the right reveals the cover art of the first issue of 'The Yellow Book.' The work features playful visual effects created by printing pages with subtly different widths.
FAQ
『〈連鎖〉の冒険』の著者は誰ですか？
グラフィックデザイナーであり、デザイン歴史探偵を自称する松田行正氏です。
この本の主なテーマは何ですか？
古今東西のグラフィックに潜む不思議な因果関係を読み解き、デザインの視点から人類の歴史と文化の「連鎖」を紐解くことです。
発売日はいつですか？
2026年5月27日です。
本書にはどのような仕掛けがありますか？
ページごとの印刷幅を微妙に変えることで、小口をずらすと特定の絵が浮かび上がる視覚的な仕掛けが施されています。
電子書籍での発売予定はありますか？
いいえ、電子書籍の発売予定はありません。