KODOMONO SHIRO EXHIBITION IN TOKYO
July 17, 2004 – August 31, 2004

As a direct result of the exhibition in Rotterdam The Dutch embassy in Japan inquired if it was possible to arrange such an exhibition of Fiep’s work in Tokyo.
Gioia Smid organized the exhibition after intensive consultation with Rica Dohi from the Kodomono Shiro (National Children’s Castle Foundation). They decided to use the illustrations from Jip and Janneke and Pim and Pom to introduce the Japanese public to Fiep’s body of work.
The first Japanese translation of Jip and Janneke was launched at the opening of the exhibition. A compilation of the stories had been compiled by the Japanese translator Yumi Nishimura. With a view to Japanese norms regarding the upbringing of children she had decided not to include the story ‘A Blue Tree’ as it was thought to be a little bit on the naughty side.