Own the art book that won Most Outstanding Design at the IPPY Awards.
Out of 5,000 books, Heaven won IPPY’s top design prize. Heaven features the paintings and insights of traditional Japanese martial arts master, Hatsumi Sensei.
This book points readers to the art of martial arts.
Heaven won three major design awards
- Most Outstanding Design — 2019 IPPY Awards
- Gold Prize for Book Design — 2019 Indigo Design Awards
- Silver Award for Book Design — 2020 Graphis Design Annual
Hatsumi Sensei
- Togakure Ryū
- Shindenfudō Ryū
- Kotō Ryū
- Takagiyōshin Ryū
- Kukishinden Ryū
- Gyokko Ryū
- Gikan Ryū
- Gyokushin Ryū
- Kumogakure Ryū
Dojo Giga
In February of 2017, Hatsumi Sensei exhibited a selection of his paintings at the Foreign Correspondents’ Club of Japan in Tokyo. Until the time of the exhibition, he had displayed some of them at his dojo, but this was an unprecedented opportunity for the public. He named the exhibition Dojo Giga.
Giga 戲画 means “caricatures” and refers to the famous 12th-century picture scroll, Chōjū-jinbutsu-giga, which humorously anthropomorphizes various animals and is often credited with being the first manga.
Masaaki Hatsumi: Dojo Giga | Heaven
The paintings we selected for Heaven represent a golden age of martial virtue. The subjects include Shintō and Buddhist deities, myths, and legendary heroes. Artworks that give insights into the lessons Hatsumi Sensei shares with his students are also included.
Each artwork is like a koan — meditating on them helps us see from Sensei's perspective.
Connect
In the Genpei War (1180–1185), the Minamoto clan defeated the Taira, resulting in the establishment of the Kamakura shogunate under Minamoto no Yoritomo. Within the battles of this war, Minamoto no Yoshinaka was served by Nishina Daisuke, who later became the founder and first Sōke of Togakure Ryū ninjutsu.
Training in the dojo with the 34th Sōke of Togakure Ryū is an opportunity to connect with the martial tradition that began with Nishina Daisuke nearly a thousand years ago. Viewing Hatsumi Sensei's Dojo Giga paintings is a similar opportunity.
Body, Mind & Spirit
What goes into an award-winning book?
- Heaven comes in this folding case. The cover is stamped with gold foil, and the title on the spine is in Sensei’s handwriting.
- It's written in Japanese with English translations.
- 223 pages printed in full color (plus metallic gold).
- We chose swiss binding and a smyth sewn book block, so spreads open fully — clearly showing Sensei’s paintings and the action photos.
Delivery to USA & Canada
For deliveries to the US and Canada, you may order from the publisher directly (below), or you can order from Mr Bezos here. Either way, our warehouse near Seattle fulfills all North American orders.
One Book
We deliver to addresses in the USA and Canada from our warehouse near Seattle.
$145 +$30 postage = $175
Three Books + Free Postage
Order three books and we'll give you free postage. That's a $90 savings (and a great gift idea)! You'll receive a carton with three, individually boxed, Heaven books.
$145 x 3 (with free postage) = $435
International Delivery
We deliver to Australia, New Zealand, and Europe from our warehouse in Japan.
One Book
We deliver to addresses in Australia, Europe, and NZ with express post and parcel tracking.
$145 +$50 international postage = $195
Three Books + Free Postage
Order three books and we'll give you free postage (a $150 savings). That's like getting one free book! You'll get a carton with three, individually boxed Heaven books.
$145 x 3 (with free international postage) = $435