the Turtle and the Monk – a unique collector’s edition

Your Purchase Makes This Book Possible

Discover the Turtle and the Monk, a breathtaking artist’s book designed in collaboration with renowned designer Teun van der Heijden. This extraordinary bilingual edition (English & Japanese) blends photography, gyotaku prints, and photopolymer etchings by Anaïs López with delicate ink drawings by Japanese artist Niwa Yuta.

By purchasing the Turtle and the Monk, you are directly supporting its creation. Thanks to contributions from the Jaap Harten Fonds and Mondriaan Fonds we were able to make this beautiful artist book.

Price 275 euro. Price excludes shipping costs but includes VAT.

Order your artist edition here.

Toyobo one – The heron

In Japanese culture, herons are considered divine beings. They often appear in prints and paintings, focusing on themes such as the changing of seasons, loneliness, sadness and despair. The white heron is seen as a messenger of the gods, while the blue heron is associated with melancholy and doom.
These majestic birds carry deep symbolism: they connect the earthly with the spiritual, and are often associated with spirits and death. This beautiful print, full of symbolism and depth, is a tribute to the magical power of nature.

Toyobo two – The mountains 

Kyoto is a relatively flat city surrounded by majestic mountains that are believed to protect the city. Mountains play an important role in Japanese culture and are considered the abode of gods and the souls of the departed. In ancient times, mountains were considered the purest places on earth.
They are not only physical structures, but also spiritual symbols that connect life to the unseen. These mountains carry a deeper meaning of protection, reverence and connection to the unknown.

Toyobo three – Siebold’s grasshopper 

In 1825, 200 years ago, German physician and naturalist Philipp Franz von Siebold brought back this extraordinary grasshopper from Japan. This grasshopper, now on display at Naturalis, was found during Siebold’s stay at Deshima – the trading post in Nagasaki Bay where the Dutch were the only Westerners allowed access to Japan.
Siebold’s work as a surgeon was only part of his mission; he collected more than 1,500 types of animals and plants, including species that are now extinct. This grasshopper is one of the specimens from his collection and the third unique etching you can choose from with the special edition of my book.
I call it the dancing grasshopper.