Rokudenashiko’s first English-language book released in May

We blogged last autumn about the Rokudenashiko’s upcoming first English-language book, What Is Obscenity? The Story of a Good For Nothing Artist and her Pussy.

Now the Canada-based Koyama Press has released more details and images ahead of its release in May.

The book is written by “vagina artist” Rokudenashiko (the artist name of Megumi Igarashi), translated by Anne Ishii, and edited by Anne Ishii and Graham Kolbeins. The cover is by the famous designer Chip Kidd.

Rokudenashiko has been arrested twice for “obscenity” for making and distributing artworks based on her vagina. Her case caused an international sensation, attracting worldwide media coverage, though the Japanese police and courts show little sign of being affected by the controversy. Her current trial continues.

The new book includes translated manga, excerpts from the media, photos from her exhibitions, details of her work, and more. It looks like a very attractive coffee-table book.

Following last year’s exhibition in Hong Kong, we hope that the book opens her up to an even wider audience around the world. Already her plight has ignited a massive debate about censorship and obscenity in Japan, which is not bad for a “criminal”.