Thinking about Cancer from Design (Saidaiji Green Library, Saidaiji Green Flower Park)

On August 10, 2023, “Thinking about Cancer from Design” was hosted by Saidaiji Children's Library Club and Saidaiji Ryokka Park Green Library, supported by Okayama City Park Association.  The lecturers were Ms. Aya Ishii, representative of Nizino Picture Book Shop, and Ms. Ayumi Kudo, contemporary artist.

Visitors were able to hold the hats and clothes designed by Aya Ishii's sister, Nao Nakajima, who passed away from cancer the year before. These hats and clothes were designed for comfortability for people with and without illness.

Ayumi Kudo is the illustrator of “Designing Cancer” (Nao Nakajima/authored by Nino Picture Book Shop/published in 2021). Nao was very fond of Ayumi's gentle and relaxed drawings. Through the stories of Aya and Ayumi, we were able to learn about Nao Nakajima's positive attitude toward life before her death.

The lecture of them gave us energy when we encounter some difficult situation, saying, “It's okay even if it's hard!